Thirteen Steps to Mentalism

Thirteen Steps to Mentalism, published in 1961, stands as a fundamental text in the field of mentalism and stage magic. The work, originally released as thirteen separate booklets, compiles essential techniques and methods used by professional mentalists. The book provides systematic instruction in creating illusions of telepathy, precognition, and other apparent psychic phenomena. Each chapter focuses on specific techniques, from fundamental principles to advanced performance methods. This comprehensive manual includes detailed explanations of tools and devices used in mentalism, along with instruction in psychological techniques like cold reading. The text serves as a complete curriculum for those seeking to understand and perform mentalism. The enduring influence of Thirteen Steps to Mentalism lies in its role as a bridge between classical stage magic and modern psychological entertainment. Its impact continues to shape how contemporary performers approach the art of mentalism.

Readers consistently describe this as a comprehensive reference book on mentalism techniques. Many reviewers note it requires multiple readings to absorb the dense technical content. Liked: - Detailed explanations of fundamental principles - Historical context and attribution of effects - Practical performance tips - Step-by-step breakdowns of methods - Math and probability explanations Disliked: - Dated writing style from 1968 - Complex terminology and jargon - Small text and poor print quality in some editions - Advanced concepts introduced before basics - Some effects require confederates/plants Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (430 reviews) Goodreads: 4.4/5 (278 reviews) Review quote: "Not a casual read - it's a textbook that demands study. The muscle reading section alone took me weeks to work through." - Amazon reviewer Several readers note the book works best as a reference after gaining performance experience, rather than as an introduction to mentalism.

The Magic Way by Juan Tamariz This book presents a systematic method for constructing mentalism and magic effects through psychological principles and audience management.

Absolute Magic by Derren Brown The text examines theatrical mentalism through the lens of storytelling and performance structure.

Building Blocks of Mentalism by Randy Charach The work breaks down core mentalism techniques into fundamental components for practical application.

Mind Reader: Unlocking the Power of Mentalism by Lior Suchard The book reveals professional mentalism methods from stage to close-up performance settings.

Pure Effect by Derren Brown This text provides mentalism routines with focus on psychological force techniques and misdirection methods.

🎭 The book was initially released as individual lesson booklets before being combined into a single volume in 1961 🔮 Corinda wrote the text while running a magic shop in London, gathering insights from both customers and fellow magicians ⚡ Many prominent mentalists, including Derren Brown and Uri Geller, have cited this book as a major influence on their careers 📚 The "thirteen steps" structure has become so iconic that modern mentalism courses often reference or parallel this format 🎪 Despite being over 60 years old, the book remains one of the highest-rated and most frequently recommended resources in the field of mentalism