talkmagic.co.uk

I received this book last night and started reading straight away. It looks really excellent. I love Ian's sense of humour
Thanks for the advice Michael Jay. I probably would've been a bit overwhelmed by all the info.

I'm curious - other than doing a full 'reading', what are some other ways that one could include some of the stuff learnt in this book in a regular performance?

I have used some of Ian's techniques when doing tricks in front of another person. Some of the 'patter' and 'intuition' is helpful to make yourself sound more credible. It is far more effective if you say that you can read someone's mind before doing a trick if you start off by telling them something about their childhood!

Using some of his ideas can make what you are doing seem very personal as you can tell a person seemingly specific things about themselves whilst doing a trick.

When I started learning cold reading, a lot of it was about having some 'tool' to use to help you through it such as using Tarot Cards or using their Palm.

I didn't feel comforatable with these so I have tended to use simple magic tricks whilst I am talking to someone so they don't necessarily get the impression that I am reading them. This seems very casual and natural to both parties.

I acknowledge that this isn't specifically cold reading as in someone coming to talk to me about their problems or future, but people certainly leave thinking that I have got inside their head and have not just done a few tricks.

Roland

I like that - thanks. Iguess that's what I would like to do as well.

I bought the cold reading book and thought that it was really good. It takes alot of work to learn how to use this book but i guess that is a good thing.
Ive done a couple of readings for people and had some good feed back. this book is definatly worth every penny.
Go and buy it now.

james (highlander)

I've taken your advice Highlander, a copy is winging it's way to me as I type!!!

An initial good review on this book though clinched it! I am looking forward to getting my copy!

I've just bought this too.

Really looking forward to reading it!

Piers.

it's a fantastic book, well worth the money...i would also recommend buying a few alternative books on alledged 'real' readers and so on, just so you get a more level playing field...

even if you feel sick reading them, at least you get an insight into how it's done from their side of the fence...

"How to do psychic readings through touch" by Ted Andrews is very interesting...

A couple of years down the line and I no longer rate this book as highly as I did when I first got it. While it covers the subject well, there are far better resources out there (that aren't as one sided as Rowland's book). But - this has been discussed at length in a few other threads..

I recently re-read it and to a certian extent I agree. It's part expose, part Royal Road to Cold Reading rather than an explicit method for cold reading. I use it's techniques when I'm asked to perform mentalism for strangers and I want them to click int oa indset that says I know more about them than is strictly comfortable, punctuated with comic relief to let them know that I won't abuse it unless they start acting up.

It's also surprisingly good if you find yourself mediating in an argument between drunks. You can make them feel important and understood very easily

The trouble with the Rowland book is that Ian has never done a paid reading in his life. The book is full of theory which although useful and even excellent in places is not grounded in actual experience. In fact the actual sample reading of Ian's which is used in the book as an example of his supposed competence is not actually very good.

No. There is only one source I am afraid. I am the way, the truth and the light on this subject. My video course on psychic reading is the last word on these matters. The Rowland book pales into insignificance when you compare the two sources.

One source is by a would be reader and semi debunker. The other is by an unmitigated genius who has done thousands upon thousands of PAID psychic readings and knows more about it than anyone else.

Craig Browning will now chime in and say that my brilliant product is not the last word at all and his book on psychic reading is the correct tome to be perusing.

I do not mind. Both of us need the money to supplement our income and keep us in our old age.

Thanks for the plug old chum

Mark is on the spot in what he's stated and as you've heard me say before, you wouldn't ask a Master Carpenter to teach you how to become a Plumber, now would you?

Christ on a Bike deck!

Enough of these sly digs, assumptions and agendas already guys!

You'll both have the perfect chance to see if he's any good or not if you bother attending blackpool 2007.

Don't just keep dissing the guy's work, or you may find people copping an unfounded dislike and dissing yours too.

hmm - lets not go there again..

I really don't see the above as being 'sly digs' or assumptions for that matter. It's just giving a more balanced view of the book.. (and the reading he gives in the book really isn't that good)

christ on a bike deck - now there's a card design i'd like to see....in the meantime i'll stick to my fourniers...

yes, i've peeked over both sides of the psychic fence on this one, read some stuff recommended by Craig, and on Ian Rowland's site...i've gotta say they are both very interesting, and there's something to be learned from both sides in my opinion....

i would say it's a little unfair to poke holes in a man who obviously makes a living from his skills and basically, his belief system - and to be fair, he's done alot of readings, and live on telly too...

abraxus wrote:i would say it's a little unfair to poke holes in a man who obviously makes a living from his skills and basically, his belief system

But when you write a book poking holes in how other people make their living (and other belief systems) - it's fair game, don't you think