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Hi there, I'm looking to incorporate a really good book test in my act. I've currently got several to choose from 1 in a million Book test, Marc Pauls book test and a few others. Although they all have similar methods for choosing a page ie cards or dice, now I did see John Lenahan do a book test once on Stuff the White Rabbit which is what got me into magic in the first place. The chap just flicked through the book and stopped at a page, then John asked a few letters and told him the word. No choosing cards or throwing dice to ascertain a page number. I wonder if anyone knew which book test that was or even if it's commercially available at all!!

There are a LOT of book tests out there. The Hoy book test is a very good one to start with.

A complete baffler is "Cogito Ergo Sum" created by our own Dr Todd: http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic15867.php

Thanks I'll look at the link. I've got the Hoy one but people get a little more than suspicious with the method (not wanting to give out that snippet). I was hoping for something a little cleaner.

Dr. Todd's is extremely clean, and actually has alot more to reveal rather than just one word, or sentence...plus there's lots of scope to "link" it to other effects with a little thought...

I'm sure to encounter flaming here, but I would personally say that still my favourite book test is Earle's Silver Bullet.

I use the 'lite' version, and it's a surefire impromptu booktest which you don't need to worry about preparing for.

I've seen the silver bullet advertised and reviewed in a few places. The reviews I've seen aren't exactly sterling and it's quite expensive to buy and find out whether they're right or not. Given the amount of book tests I've got I may sod the expenditure and get one for the sake of completion almost.

I've yet to see Todd's Book Test so I'll reserve comment... it has obviously become a flavor of the month pick... but "The Best" of anything is the one that works best for you and your situation, there is no such thing as "one size fits all" in this business but more like lots of trial and error.

There's an impromptu one using the O.A.S. that Sankey does - think it's on the Sankey & Sanders sessions - totally impromptu, very effective, 3 revelations!

I really like the book test detailed in Marc Paul's Mind 2 Mind DVD, although I have recently been told that it utilises a method described in one of Richard Busch's fantastic books. However, it is very easy to perform and generally very effective. You are limited to the revelation of a single word on the page though, which may put people off the effect.

I've heard very, very good things about Dr Todd's Cogito Ergo Sum, which I hope to be purchasing sometime soon. It sounds wonderful.

I agree with Craig Browning, the 'best' totally depends on what effect you are trying to achieve.

Some book 'tests' are like straightforward tests - i.e supposedly an objective, scientific test of a person's claim of special ability using randomly selected words. Other book tests, are more like larger effects which involve some kind of book (in some way).

If you are interested in the former (less spectacular from the audience's perspective) kind of test, then pretty much any clean test will do. On the other hand, if you want more of an 'effect' you will need to pick a book that fits in with your act and persona.

A book test can establish your abilities, set a mood, or simply provide entertainment. The 'best' one is the one that best fits your needs.

For a great guide to book tests search for book test mentalism on google

I knew I'd seen the site somewhere

S. Lea has a great site with some, what appear to be, incredible products coming out soon, which can be found in the link in his signature. What you may be particularly interested in, dracven, is his other site, BookTest.net, which has a wide range of book tests available now and in the near future. I'm sorry I didn't provide the link earlier, I just couldn't remember what the URL was!

On a side note, I'm very much looking forward to the impression pad on Mental-Magic.com being released - it looks and sounds wonderful!

i have read a huge article on book test and as criag said it all depends what you are trying to achieve, but i hear dracula is a good one to get as is marc pauls

From your description of the white rabbit booktest (which I guess sonds like 100 other booktests ), sounds a lot like Patrick kuffs booktest for dummies which is on his mindstunts dvd, easy to do with any book and very effective I have found.

Thanks guys lots to think about.

Personally Harry, I've not got the balls to use Marc Pauls book test, I don't see how people can't see it. I've tried that website thanks for that and it's interesting but hardly anything is released yet.

I too haven't as yet seen Todds book test but it does sound interesting as does the OAS one.

Personally I'm really looking for one that I can throw a couple of books out and have things chosen by the spectator with almost no involvement with me other than the reveal.

dracven wrote:Thanks guys lots to think about.

Personally Harry, I've not got the balls to use Marc Pauls book test, I don't see how people can't see it. I've tried that website thanks for that and it's interesting but hardly anything is released yet.

I too haven't as yet seen Todds book test but it does sound interesting as does the OAS one.

Personally I'm really looking for one that I can throw a couple of books out and have things chosen by the spectator with almost no involvement with me other than the reveal.

i've got one in the protected area if you were interested? 2 people, any paperback book, 100% accurate...and you can have a signed prediction on show throughout too...