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Hi
I'm interested in learning some mentalism and mind reading effects but those found on the internet aren't all that good. Could anyone recommend some good (and preferably not too expensive) books to learn from.
Thanks in advance

13 Steps to Mentalism by Corinda is a good place

13 steps to mentalism by corinda as magicj has stated

looch..simple and direct (S.A.D.)
T.A. Waters....mind myth and magic
banachek..... Psychological subtleties

richard osterlind has some book out as well

The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy
Practical Mental Magic by Theodore Annemann

Pagali Zonda wrote: Could anyone recommend some good (and preferably not too expensive) books to learn from.

magicmentalist wrote:
T.A. Waters....mind myth and magic

Mind myth and magick is not for beginners, also it costs around £70.

A useful resource is Craig Brownings Becoming a Mentalist pdf which is in the Support and Tips Forum. Not only is it a good insight into becoming a mentalist but does give suggested reading ideas. Also you should try the 39 steps to Mentalism by Bob Cassidy which if I rember rightly is freely available.

Another cheap beginners book is Karl Fulves self working mental magic which available quite cheaply on Amazon.

Thanks for that guys. Can I ask if any if of these use gimmicks such as pencil lead on the thumb, as I would rather not use things like that.

Pagali Zonda wrote:Thanks for that guys. Can I ask if any if of these use gimmicks such as pencil lead on the thumb, as I would rather not use things like that.

If you want to go completely prop free, you should go Naked

Tomo wrote:If you want to go completely prop free, you should go Naked

I guess this is a mentalism book
Did you write this book

Not so much wrote, more like conceived, nurtured and after a long gestation period gave birth to it... and subsequent siblings...

If you don't want to use gimmicks, Banachek's Psychological Subtleties is probably a good place to start at.

My suggestions if you want to grown in mentalism:

1. 39 Steps of Mentalism by Bob Cassidy: In that way you will understand the nature of mentalism.

2. 13 Steps of Mentalism by Corinda : You will gain the basis of the mentalism. Effects and good classic thinking

3. Practical Mental Effects from the Jinx by Annemann : More thinking in mentalism.



After that you can gain more confidence, and grow in new levels with Kenton Knepper, Banachek, Max Maven and other heroes.



Dont see just the "tricks" or the "effects", rather the thinking and the experiences that you want to create.

If you're reading one of the classics like Corinda or Annemann, don't be put off if you feel the routines don't suit your style. They were written a long time ago. Annemann's "Practical Mental Magic", in particular, is a book of individual effects rather than techniques; the trick is to extract the techniques from those effects and make up your own routines using them.

BTW, if you can find a copy, Marvin Kaye's "Handbook of Mental Magic" is not at all bad, despite the rude comments made about it in certain quarters.

Barry

Pagali Zonda wrote:Thanks for that guys. Can I ask if any if of these use gimmicks such as pencil lead on the thumb, as I would rather not use things like that.

Why not? The swami gimmick makes available some of the best effects in mentalism.

Mandrake wrote:Not so much wrote, more like conceived, nurtured and after a long gestation period gave birth to it... and subsequent siblings...

Tee hee. I've got the stretch marks and piles to prove it!