so, you just watched the latest derren brown tv special, or clairvoyants, or colin cloud on america’s got talent, and now you want to become a mentalist. but, you have no idea how to learn mentalism. we are here to help!
Despite its similarities, mentalism is quite different from magic. it is a deeper and more complex art form that is based on an understanding of human psychology and body language as opposed to the simpler sleight of hand typically used in magic and card tricks. As a result, many mentalists prefer to learn mentalism from books rather than videos or instant downloads.
You are reading: Best books on mentalism
Packed with a variety of amazing tricks, wisdom, and insight, mentalism books are one of the most effective ways to learn mentalism. To help you get started, here is a list of the best books for mentalists:
13 steps to mentalism by tony corinda
If you were to ask a group of master mentalists to suggest a book they think every mentalist should read, we’d bet almost all of them would probably mention 13 steps to mentalism. One of the most popular mentalism books ever printed, 13 Steps to Mentalism covers nearly every major aspect of mentalism, from swami tricks to predictions, book proofs, telepathy, mnemonics, and much more.
While considered by many to be the cornerstone of learning mind magic, 13 Steps to Mentalism is not just for beginners. in fact, it’s packed with enough information to last a professional mentalist a lifetime, and most modern mentalism tricks can trace their roots back to the lessons taught in 13 Steps to Mentalism.
practical mind magic by theodore annemann
In the survey above, those mentalists who did not list 13 Steps to Mentalism as the most important book a mentalist should read probably said practical mind magic. Often mentioned in the same breath as 13 Steps to Mentalism, Practical Mind Magic is the other most popular mentalism book ever made.
Created by master mentalist Theodore Annemann, Practical Mind Magic features a variety of mind magic effects with books, secret codes, playing cards, paper and pencils, blindfolds, money, and more. Because it is more clearly written and illustrated, some mentalists argue that practical mind magic is a bit easier to grasp for beginning mentalists who find the 13 steps of mentalism outdated and difficult to read.
However, why choose just one? each book offers unique concepts, and reading both is the best way to build the foundation needed to master mentalism.
encyclopedia of mentalism & mentalists by tony corinda & william rauscher
the encyclopedia of mentalism & mentalists is like a “collector’s edition” or “director’s cut” of 13 steps to mentalism. In addition to offering all the step-by-step instructions from the classic text, this special book features fresh images and a bonus section from William Rauscher known as Mind Readers: Masters of Deception. Examining the lives of some of the world’s most famous mentalists including Max Maven, Ted Annemann, Dr. jaks, eugene burger and more, mind readers: masters of deception is a master class on the importance of technique, interpretation and psychology in mentalism.
Combining both works in a magnificent book of almost 600 pages, the encyclopedia of mentalists & mentalists should be on the shelf of any serious mentalist.
prism: max maven’s mentalism color series
See Also: The Best Books on The Gilded Age – Five Books Expert Recommendations
Before cementing his place as one of the world’s most successful mentalists, Max Maven burst onto the scene with a series of powerful mentalism pamphlets known as the Mentalism Color Series. Written under her real name, Phil Goldstein, these pamphlets were brimming with powerful and original mentalism effects.
Originally produced in extremely small quantities, each book sold almost immediately and fetched exorbitant prices on the secondary market. As a result of this incredible demand, Max Maven finally republished the 5 Color Series Mentalism booklets as part of a complete book called Prism: The Color Series of Mentalism. With over 50 easy-to-use mentalism effects that can suit any playing style, Prism is perfect for everyone from beginning mentalists to working professionals.
mind, myth & magic by t.a. waters
In the 1980s, one of the world’s most respected professional mentalists, T.A. Waters sold 21 booklets of his most amazing mind magic to an exclusive group of people. these effects remained his most closely guarded secret until, for the first time, they were made available to mentalists around the world as part of an 800-page book known as mind, myth & amp; magic.
This iconic text on mentalism features revised, updated, and illustrated explanations of over 200 feats of mentalism and bizarre magic tricks. as a special bonus, mind, myth & amp; magick also includes an extensive reexamination of popular mind magic topics such as divination, psychometry, billet working, and symbol proofing.
pure effect: direct mind reading and magical art and tricks of the mind by derren brown
Performing regularly on television and on stages around the world, from London to New York City, English mentalist Derren Brown is one of the world’s best known and most respected mentalists. Since Derren doesn’t often release material for the public, Pure Effect and Mind Tricks are an extremely rare behind-the-scenes look at how this master mentalist exploits the limits of the human mind to create unforgettable psychological experiences.
pure effect is a mentalism book that explores the “whys” rather than the “hows” of magic. While incredible mentalism tricks are taught in this book, most professional magicians agree that the greatest value comes from Derren’s unmatched knowledge of the performance elements of mind magic.
derren delves further into the structure and psychology of mind trick mentalism. Through captivating, autobiographical stories, Derren exposes some of the greatest secrets of magic and mentalism, from hypnosis to the power of suggestion and making people truly believe that you have supernatural abilities.
banachek’s psychological niceties
The 3-part series of psychological subtleties features some of the best-selling mentalism books ever printed. In these classics of mentalism, world-renowned mentalist Banachek teaches you how to harness a comprehensive understanding of human nature to fool the mind and transform simple feats of “mental magic” into true “psychic entertainment.” These effects require no preparation and can be done on their own or used to enhance any existing routine.
fundamentals of professional mentalism by bob cassidy
Packed with a lifetime of information gleaned from real-world performances, Legendary Mentalist Bob Cassidy’s The Basics of Professional Mentalism is considered a must-read for anyone interested in Mentalism or magic.
but don’t be fooled by the name. the fundamentals of professional mentalism covers more than just the basics of mentalism. in fact, it answers many common questions that mentalists frequently have and provides the key insights needed to overcome the obstacles that prevent professional mentalists from taking their performance to the next level.
See Also: The Witcher Books Age Rating | (1986-2013)
richard osterlind’s principles of mentalism
Regarded as one of his most influential and insightful works, this incredible book on mentalism by Richard Osterlind tackles many of the myths and misconceptions that plague the art of mentalism.
The Principles of Mentalism share the secrets to effectively developing a performance style and making your mental magic more marketable and powerful. Whether you’re just starting out in mentalism or a seasoned professional, the concepts and ideas in the principles of mentalism will help you take your mentalism and mind reading to heights you never thought possible.
quick and effective cold reading by richard webster
This comprehensive reference book on how to give amazingly accurate cold readings to anyone at any time is considered by many to be a must-read for any mentalist or psychic entertainer. Quick and effective cold reading teaches you how to unlock the essential skill of offering brief, factual details about a person you’ve never met. you’ll be able to talk to a complete stranger as if you’ve known them all your life.
If you’re interested in learning more about cold reading and the art of psychological persuasion, you should also try getting a copy of Ian Rowland’s Complete Cold Reading Book.
confessions of a conjurer by derren brown
derren brown makes his second appearance on this list of essential mentalism books with a book that was actually created for a mainstream audience. that’s how it is. This is not a book full of magic trick secrets, but rather an exciting and hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the unique life of a professional mentalist. With Derren’s trademark wit and charm, this book is entertaining and inspiring for any mentalist.
what everyone says: an ex-fbi agent’s guide to reading people quickly by joe navarro
Despite not being a traditional book on mentalism or magic, the last book on this list is still an extremely useful resource for any mentalist.
In What Everybody Says: An Ex-Fbi Agent’s Guide to Reading People Quickly, ex-fbi agent joe navarro discusses the tactics he uses to quickly read body language and analyze reactions, cues, facial and other microexpressions. these skills allow you to more effectively determine if a person is lying.
With a comprehensive understanding of nonverbal communication, mentalists can learn to read minds in real-life situations, like patrick jane in the mentalist.
here’s the best part, you can probably understand what everyone is saying: an ex-fbi agent’s guide to quickly reading people at your local library. in fact, the library is a fantastic resource for learning magic tricks and mentalism. however, if you can’t get to the library, we also have some easy mentalism effects you can learn right now for free!
See Also: Top 20 Best Dean Koontz Books Of All Time Review 2022