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i1011i wrote:There is a book test in Kenton Kneppers book "Mind Reading" that can be done with any book in any impromptu situation. It is VERY ballsy though. I think it is also talked about in his S.E.C.R.E.T.S. book as well. It is not a word revilation though. I think it is something more interesting and if the right performer uses it, would be a very amazing feat.

I just realized that I don't do enough book tests.

Firstly, the material in question is NOT for a novice... MIND READING most especially, is material for the more advanced student and more important, the more experienced performer... it's not child's play mentalism, nor is if filled with "tricks" as most understand such things.

Have you performed that book test?

If not, why are you mentioning it?

Then we come to your line on "I just realized that I don't do enough book tests"... Oi!

I am a very full-time performer and presently I have NO book tests in my act... in fact, it's rather rare that I do feature such a demonstration in the act. The EXCEPTION to this rule is both simple and logical; each year I do a full month Public Awareness campaign that deals with the issue of Illiteracy in America. One side of this is a book drive and it is from the donated books that I create the show/demonstration on the Power & Potential of an Educated Mind...

Just tossing a book test or any kind of effect, into your routine IS NOT MENTALISM.

I would highly recommend that those interested in getting into this area and "doing it right" take some time to read the following bits from Bob Cassidy;

1.) The Pincipalia Series
2.) The Web Philosophy
3.) The Black Book of Mentalism
4.) The Real Work of Cold Reading (a MUST for anyone doing Readings!)

Unlike so many of the current tomes out there that are written by magicians jumping in on the current Mentalism trend (so as to take YOUR money) Bob offers solid, real life experience. What he presents is well thought out based on trial & error and you will discover that it mirrors rather concisely, with the philosophy & approach of the more successful workers in this side of the craft.

Again... enough, I needn't move into a rant...

Firstly there are NOW, so many Book Tests to choose from; many very expensive. I have used over a dozen such over the last 30 odd years but always come back to The Val Andrews Unfaked Book Test. This was recommended earlier in this post by Wardy 2001.Why do I always go back to it? First the book is unfaked. Most paper backs of upto 250 pages can be used. 2nd. Your instructions to your spectator are absolutely straight forward. I don't however count down to the line as suggested. This can go wrong in a badly lit area or with a spectator whose sight may be doubtful I always use the top line. It's one of the suggestions I put to Val when he stayed with us about 4 years ago. If you combine his method with the ideas( in the booklet) by the late Terri Rogers and Bobby Bernard plus another suggestion I made, which was add in the Koran choice of several books ( see Professional Presentations, page 39. by Hugh Miller) you have a miracle all done without the use of specially printed books.I use a FREE choice from 5 paperbacks.If you do purchase the instructions I'll send you a couple of more suggestions I put to Val which eliminates even the small memory work needed in the original routine. Val has updated the booklet and it can be purchased directly from him at 16, The Firs, Woodbine Close Park, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3RG. It costs £5:50 or 10 Euros or $10 includes p/p.
The other I would recommend is Nicholas Einhorn's A Word In A Million, price £10 from JB magic in Blackpool. This is a freely chosen word from any page in any hard back book you care to use. It's a slick update on Harry( Unique magic Studio) Stanley's update on the Koran Word In A Thousand. Harry put out a heavier( it was some 50 years ago) gimmick but the Einhorn one is incredibly light and undectable and his 'arrangement' much improves the Koran/Stanley version.
I would also like to add to Craig Browning's most expert and practical advice above. mind reading is also for an ACTOR magician. You have to be able to get into the emotional, convincing and 'truthful' sides of presentation .And that needs Acting of the very highest order.
Allen Tipton

There is a good one in the Karl Fulves book that I do, the spec find it amazing

Good advice. Mentalism is a much more powerful thing than magic. Magic, people can always dismiss as 'just a trick'; mentalism, well, it's a little harder to do that, especially when you've experienced a good mentalism performance. That's why things like Kenton's Mind Reading, and indeed his Kentonism and other classic works like that are for the thinking performer, one who will treat the art with respect. As we are often immersed in magic and mentalism it's all too easy to let it become commonplace. You have to respect it and appreciate that those you perform for probably don't experience something like this very often. Don't rush these things either. Yes, it may be tempting to copy the trends and 'jump on the bandwagon' that is mentalism, but often you find you're only performing it because it's 'cool', the fashion. I'm not rushing my learning. I'm exploring all aspects of mentalism. Rarely do I perform mentalism at the moment, because I know that when I perform I want it to be a great experience for my audience. What I do perform it's material that I'm sure I fully grasp and understand.

I have an interest in psychology anyway, I find it an immensely fascinating subject, and being a magician originally I of course find mentalism a very intriguing art. At the moment I am in the process of accumulating knowledge of mentalism before I start performing mentalism regularly. It's good that there are people like Craig who keep stressing these points. There is a man much more experienced in this field than I and I am glad of his advice, as well as that of people like Kenton and Jermay.

Somewhat off topic I know. Book tests, wasn't it? Well, because of my performing conditions I'm not often in a position to grab a book so I don't tend to perform them. The book test that Kenton and the members of his S.E.C.R.E.T. School put forward is ballsy but quite exciting. I'm in the process of working out a good presentation for it, as well as looking for other elements I can combine with it. So while I haven't tried it yet, I mention it because I too think that it's great and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

CARDZA. If you're interested in psychology you should read 'Psychological Applications For Magicians 2.' by Chris Dugdale. This was his 2nd book. Unfortunately I missed the first.Chris lives in Windsor. 0870 757 MAGIC (62442)
Allen Tipton

I use a book test from Annemann's 'Practical Mental Magic' and I love it.

There are loads of book tests in this book, Corinda's 'Thirteen Steps to Mentalism' and the Karl Fulves 'Self-Working Mental Magic'.

If you had these books you wouldn't need to look much further, but if you don't then you can consider buying a single book test as per your original post, however I have neither of those, so I cannot comment on them.

Thanks for the info Allen, I'll look in to that.

I just wanted to clarify what I said above - I do still perform mentalism. But there was a time when I was performing it quite regularly. I've pulled back on the reins a little now, and while I do still perform mentalism pieces (I'm going to try Sean Field's Metronome Revelation out a little later today for example) I'm holding back a little until I have accumulated more knowledge. I just wanted to clarify in case anybody wondered why it is that I give my ideas about mentalism - I do perform mentalism, I do understand and appreciate it - I just want to learn more before going 'all out' so to speak.

CARDZA It is good to know that you're taking your time and not as you put it'rushing into things'.I wish that more magicians followed the same path.
AND we all rush into giving our advice, opinions, information etc. It is part of a conjuror's ego, enthusiasm, and passion for magic. It's one major reason why I tell magicians NOT to ask other magicians for opinions on their routines. You'll only get 'how THEY would do it!', with the odd exception. Actors are much the same, self centredness is in their makeup and often they only see how they would do it! Ask a trusted friend or someone steeped in Theatre to look at your presentation but NOT the trick itself. That way you don't get bogged down with externals.
With this in mind, all you have to do is sift the good advice from the rest.
Allen Tipton

Piers wrote:I've heard very good things about Marc Paul's Book test too.
Having seen him perform it, and then know the method was quite humbling !
A great effect !
Piers.

I have Marc's "Mind 2 Mind" DVD and his book test is explained on this. He calls it the AAA book test - Any Time, Any Place, Anywhere. You can use ANY book - the spectator has a COMPLETE free choice in choosing the book and a COMPLETE free choice on which page is chosen - yet you manage to mentally guess the word at the top of the page.

I have had some amazing reactions with this!