Mind reading, thought transmission, prophecy, miracle slate routines — you know, the stuff that makes your audience's jaws hit the floor faster than a lead balloon. These "psychic" effects are the crème de la crème of stage magic, and let’s be honest, nothing quite compares to the look on someone's face when you pluck their thoughts straight from the ether.
In this gem of a book, one of the true legends of mentalism, Theodore Annemann, spills the beans on nearly 200 jaw-dropping mental magic tricks. You’ll find routines categorised into 12 main sections that’ll have you and your audience scratching your heads:
- Effects with Billets and Pellets
- Publicity Effects
- Dead or Alive
- Book Tests
- Thought Foretold
- Envelope Necromancy
- Miracle Slate Routines
- Money Mentalism
- Blindfold Reading
- Mentalism with Cards
- Psychic Codes
- Miscellaneous Mental Masterpieces
Thanks to Annemann and his work with Jinx magazine, mental magic became something of a household name (well, if your household is particularly into magic, that is). Now, his treasure trove of knowledge is yours for the taking. You’ll learn the closely guarded secrets behind phenomenal effects like Pseudo-Psychometry — a one-man psychic marvel that’ll have your audience convinced you can read minds (spoiler alert: you can’t). Or check out Who Killed Mr. X?, a classic that mixes magic, mind reading, and a triple mystery into a routine that's about as fun as a pub quiz (but with more suspense). And let’s not forget the Swami Test, a prophecy demonstration that’s been wowing audiences since the 1920s (and it’s still got it!).
With around 16 variations on this fan-favourite trick, Annemann’s My Own Swami Test stands out as one of his absolute best. Each trick is explained in painfully clear detail, complete with diagrams and insider tips on everything from staging to patter (and maybe a diversion or two). You won’t need any fancy props — just your basic magic gear and a thirst for knowledge from one of the greats. This book isn’t just for the pros; the step-by-step clarity means even a novice can dive in and shine brighter than a magician at a children’s party.
Paperbound, 310 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 100 illustrations.
