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I am Looking for a book on mentalism.Now,as we all know,there are many to choose from.

The thing is,I'm looking for the bible of mentalism i.e. a top flight book

yes i know how to present it.

Is 13 steps the best one to get or are there better ones

My personal preference would be ''as impromptu as possible''

thanks in advance

13 Steps is the basis of most mentalism effects, Paul Brook's books Reviewed on TM) are also highly reommended, search for Craig Browning's works on the subject here and via the Ipswich Magic site - then be prepared to spend several days reading his very wise advice !

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic11429.php

Download Craig's article. You'll see the two books he refers to as the 'Bibles'. He's right.

Mandrake is quite correct that Paul Brook's books are very good, but they are really not 'entry-level', and they aren't wide-ranging enough to qualify as 'Bibles'.

To give you a slightly different view, Bob Cassidy thinks that '13 Steps' isn't an essential read. He's right, in a way, but if you just want one book on mentalism rather than to amass a library, it's the one to get.

You will probably buy 13steps at some point so why not get it now? It is more like a text book so you wont dip in pick up an effect and perform it. Practical Mental Effects (PME) by Annemann is more effect/method but you will need to read through carefully and update because some of the effects while excellent are dated. A couple of more recent books are PRISM by Max Maven, the effects are quite simplistic but it is still work reading. Bob Cassidys Artful Mentalism has a lot of quality material worth the cover price for the diary effect alone. Ted Lesleys Paramiracles is equally strong but some effects require construction so if you are not into that Artful Mentalism is better. These are the only books I can think of as 'bibles' in terms of breath, and material. There are many other quality books but are more specialized, like a single book of the bible rather than the whole canon.

When you say paramiracles needs more construction to perform, do you mean the others are much more aimed at impromptu effects?