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I was wondering which Derren Brown book to purchase before I just went out and blew my money on some rubbish material that isn't of any use.

I already own 'Derren Brown Trick of the Mind' and I like the style and 'techniques' written in it. However, I am looking for a book that has more quick effects (or techniques that can be used to create effects) within it.

Trick of the Mind, for me, contains things that can be put into practice, (such as the brief text on muscle reading and rapport) but aren't as good as what I have heard you can get with other Derren Brown books. Yes, it contains memory feats and some simple tricks, but I am looking for more, how can I put it, visual, effective, quick effects.

Such like the effects where he can think of any word that a person thought of, guess how many fingers were held up behind peoples backs and correcly estimate a card in the deck that the spectator thought of.

Any help or review would be appreciated.

Also, please tell me if I have posted this topic in the wrong thread!

The closest thing I guess would be Pure Effect - though he only goes into a little bit more detail on reading people and such; there are effects, mainly card magic with a few pieces of mentalism. In a similar style there's his DVD "The Devil's Picturebook". His only other book is Absolute Magic, which is theory only.

If you're new to mentalism, you know, it's not only Derren Brown who does this kinda thing Corinda's Thirteen Steps to Mentalism is a good place to start.

you won't really find what you're looking for in any of his books, although buy Pure Effect rather than Absolute Magic since AM doesn't actually have any tricks in it, but is a fantastic read for any magician
i guess try 13 steps then

Pure Effect is a brilliant read, the tricks he explains will spark your imagination to what is possible with a little bit of though...I haven't gotten all the way through AM yet but it looks to be just as good but focuses mainly on the performance aspect of magic....You may want to look into The Devils Picturebook I beleive that dvd is some of Derrens Fine Magic tricks.

thing is though, i understand how much anyone would want to emultate a hero of theirs, i've done it, and I'm sure others have too...however, i think one of the most important things ever in any creative area is to be yourself as much as possible....

no one else is or can be derren, just like derren cannot be you...

so, i'd say very respectfully, to not worry about trying to learn derren's stuff, but rather start at the beginning, buy 13 steps to mentalism, and Practical Mental Magic, and learn all the lovely basics (if you can call them that), and once you have the confidence and background knowledge - you can start playing with it all properly, you'll have a feel of what areas you want to explore more...the muscle reading you mentioned - there's a book by Banachek all about that...and go from there...

but it really does pay to learn to basics first (if you havent already), plus you might find you have a natural skill for some of it...

you could just go buy Devil's Picture book on dvd, but then if you have no framework to use the techniques explained, you'll have a very small act...

thats my advice anyway...all meant in a good and positive way, certainly not having a go at you ok
oh and Karl Fulve's self-working mind magic (is that the title? cant remember...) - thats another good 'un....

Hey thanks for all the advice. 13 steps seems to be a good choice. Thanks again, I appreciate it.

I have to concur with Abraxus here. Derren is mixing principles of magic and mentalism to create his own style of performance. There is nothing in AM or PE that is not covered in other more fundamental texts. Learn the principles and then develop you own style. Corinda, Anneman, Fulves will give most of what you need to get started. Follow the sticky on this in the support and tips section.

A must for Derren Brown is the Devil’s Picturebook