Dear friend, 

Today we wanted to walk you through, step by step, the full and complete reading list for mentalists…

There’s a lot to get through, so let’s dive straight into the nitty gritty!

The Ultimate Metalist Reading List:

1. 13 Steps to Mentalism
2. The Encyclopedia of Mentalism
3. Psychological Subtleties
4. Practical Mental Magic
5. PRISM: The Colour Series of Mentalism
6. The Principles of Mentalism
7. Theatre of the Mind
8. Mind, Myth and Magick
9. The Derren Brown Collection
10. Fundamentals of Professional Mentalism
11. The Professional Mentalist Manuals
12. Quick and Effective Cold Reading
13. What Every Body is Saying

Firstly, quick warning, learning mentalism isn’t cheap. Most of these books cost well over average, but I’d argue that’s a good thing. The less people who know about some of these techniques the better!

Book 1: 13 Steps to Mentalism

Often regarded as ‘the Bible of mentalism’, 13 Steps is the best book on the market for amateur mind readers.

Originally published as 13 individual booklets on different topics of mentalism, they were eventually combined to form this book.

The techniques included range from ESP to telepathy, covering the secrets that magicians like Derren Brown still use today!

Before we dive too deep into this review I want to suggest a powerful way you can transform this reading experience into an extremely valuable resource. 

Watch 13 Steps to Mentalism 6 DVD set Presented by Richard Osterlind (as you work your way through the book…)

Magic Shop and Vanishing Inc are both selling a comprehensive video series, where the modern-day master Richard Osterlind performs dynamic effects from each step of 13 Steps to Mentalism in front of a live audience.

Then, along with co-host Jim Sisti, digs deep into the principles and concepts that make this material so strong and timeless. 

This video set ably demonstrates why Corinda’s 13 Steps To Mentalism will always be a fundamental and substantial part of any mentalist’s education.

There isn’t as much Mentalism magic material out there as coin and card magic so if you’re interested in mind reading then I’d think this would be a really smart learning investment!

Back to the review:

Here’s what’s inside…

The 13 Steps To Mentalism: 

1. Mnemonics and Mental Systems
2. Mentalism Card Tricks
3. Blindfolds & X Rays
4. The Swami Gimmick
5. Pencil, Lip, Touch, Sound, and Reading Muscles
6. Billets
7. Book Tests and Fogel Interview
8. Two Person Telepathy
9. Mediumistic Stunts
10. Predictions
11. Publicity Stunts
12. Question and Answer
13. Patter and Presentation

Beginner Mentalists! Read the book. Then watch the series. You’ll have all the groundwork laid out for you!

Welcome to the School of Mentalism…

Total Investment Price: £156.98

View Book on Amazon:

View DVD’s on Merchant of Magic:

Book 1 & 2: The Encyclopaedia of Mentalism

The Encyclopedia of Mentalism and Mentalists is the ultimate resource for mind readers.

It contains nearly 600 pages of valuable information on performing feats of Mentalism.

What’s inside?

• 13 Steps to Mentalism: 13 priceless chapters that teach you step-by-step instruction through text and illustrations. Widely regarded as the bible of mentalism!

• Masters of Deception: Twelve fascinating chapters detailing the lives of Mind Readers and Psychics pas and present!

Remember this book has 13 Steps To Mentalism so I don’t recommend getting the individual copy that I mentioned previously. Get this one because it’s cheaper and has additional valuable insights!

Investment Price: £26.99

View on Merchant of Magic:

Book 3: Psychological Subtleties (Volume 1-3)

The three part Psychological Subtleties series features some of the best-selling mentalism magic available on the market. 

I’ll be totally transparent and admit I haven’t read this book but just after reading a snippet of Teller’s introduction it’s on my TBR!

“BANACHEK IS BRILLIANT at subtle deceptions. My partner Penn and I have repeatedly called upon his vast knowledge, diabolical ingenuity, and remarkable imagination, and have never been disappointed. This man has the goods, and now you do, too. But be careful. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BOOK. In the wrong hands, these subtle, deeply devious methods could be used to convince audiences that the performer is not an artist, but a supernatural being. ..” – Teller

Investment Price (Book 1): £34.99

View on Merchant of Magic:

Book Four: Practical Mental Magic

Well, well, well…you’re in for a treat with this one!

Practical mental magic has been written by one of if not the greatest, of all mental magicians, Theodore Annemann.

He reveals the secrets behind nearly 200 astonishing feats of mental magic.

The included routines encompass 12 major categories:

• 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

Highly Recommended!

Investment: £14.49

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View on Merchant of Magic:

Book 5: PRISM The Colour Series of Mentalism

Cool story: This book was originally produced in extremely small quantities, each book would sell out almost immediately and fetch exorbitant prices on the secondary market.

As a result of this incredible demand, Max Maven eventually re-released all 5 Colour Series mentalism booklets as part of one comprehensive book called PRISM: The Colour Series of Mentalism. 

To quote Merchant Magic: “While a sizeable literature devoted to mentalism was produced in the past hundred years, little has stood the test of time. Among the scant amount that has is that of MAX MAVEN.”

Investment: £43.75

View on Merchant of Magic:

Book 6: The Principles of Mentalism

This book is considered to be one his most influential and insightful works, this incredible mentalism book from Richard Osterlind tackles many of the myths and misconceptions impacting the art of mentalism.

What’s inside?

The Principles of Mentalism shares the secrets to effectively developing a performing style and making your mental magic more commercial and powerful. 

Why should you read it?

According to Vanishing Inc the concepts and ideas in The Principles of Mentalism will help you take your mentalism and mind reading to heights you never thought possible.

Best of all it has that perfect balance between being life changing for a magician just starting out in mentalism and valuable for seasoned professionals.

Investment: $25 dollars…

View on Penguin Magic:

Book 7: Theatre of the Mind

Barrie Richardson is a legend!

He’s had over 50 years of professional performance and in his book, theatre of the mind he’s gathered together 53 of his best mental routines, most of which are all drawn out for you!

What you’ll get?

Astonishing feats that use only ordinary items, and few of them, entertaining mental experiments that involve the whole audience, that pack small and play big, and that exploit a devilish combination of simplicity and cleverness.

What you will discover in Theatre Of The Mind is a wealth of professional material for a very good price!

Remember: This is practical material, tested and perfected before thousands of audiences!

Investment: £54.49

View on Merchant of Magic:

Book 8: Mind, Myth & Magick by T.A. Waters

Why this book is special: In the 1980’s, one of the most respected professional mentalists in the world T.A. Waters sold 21 booklets of his most amazing mental magic to an exclusive group of individuals.

These effects remained his most guarded secrets until, for the first time ever, they were made available to mentalists around the world as part of an 800-page book known as Mind, Myth & Magick.

What’s inside?

Over 800 pages full of astounding and diabolic mentalism. This monumental work contains over 200 effects of Mind Reading and Bizarre Magick, along with extensive re – examinations of psychometry, billet work, book and symbol tests, fortunetelling, Tarot and other classic topics.

Investment: $371.85

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‘Book’ 9: The Derren Brown Collection

1. Tricks of the Mind
2. Confessions of a Conjurer
3. Pure Effect: Direct Mind-reading and Magical Artistry

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen this guy in person, but I have, and he’s amazing!

Pure Effect and Tricks of the Mind are an extremely rare look behind the scenes at how this master mentalist exploits the limits of the human mind to create unforgettable psychological experiences, while Confessions of a Conjurer is an exciting and hilarious backstage look at the unique life of a professional mentalist.

Book 10: The Fundamentals of Professional Mentalism

“My only complaint is that the rating system here at Lybrary.com only goes up to “good.” This should be rated “outstanding” at the very least.

There are only two books you NEED to read to become a good mentalist. This is one of them. Add Osterlind’s “the Principles of Mentalism” to Cassidy’s “Fundamentals” and you have available to you the best advice gleaned from the best experience of two lifetimes.

If I had to pick just ONE to start with, it would be “Fundamentals.” (But don’t cheat yourself. Get both.)

Within these pages, Bob recommends a different book for those who want to really learn to perform mentalism well. He’s wrong, but it wasn’t his fault. “Fundamentals” hadn’t been published yet – and “Fundamentals” is the first book you want.

Best of luck finding a mentalism book BETTER than this one.”

Chet Cox

Investment: $29

View on Lybrary:

Book 11: The Professional Mentalists Manuals

Richard Osterlind designed these manuals to help professional mentalists advance their mentalism career.

They are “army manual”-style books that are designed to inspire and be referenced often.

The Professional Mentalists Intelligence Manual:

• What it means to become a professional
• You need an office
• Taxes and other evil things
• The Ancient Magic vs. Mentalism argument
• The Most Important Aspect of Mentalism
• The real way you are treated if they believe
• Wanting a mentor
• What to do after the show
• Be a business-focused entertainer
• And more…

The Professional Mentalist’s Officers Manual:

• How to not take chances with your show
• Why problems are always your fault and what you have to do to avoid them
• Why you have to be tough
• Things are not always so nice in show business
• How to show consistency in your show.
• Why you are the only one
• What is appropriate at the corporate level
• How to act on social media
• How you affect your audience
• The secret of acting like a real mentalist
• The right effect for the right occasion
• How not to dig holes for yourself
• And much more…!

Investment: £51

View Intelligence Manual:

View Officers Manual:

Book 12: Quick and Effective Cold Reading

This is an excellent reference book on giving astonishingly accurate cold readings to anyone at a moment’s notice!

Quick and Effective Cold Reading teaches you how to unlock the essential skill of offering short and factual details about a person you have never met.

You’ll be able to talk to a complete stranger as if you’ve known them your entire life!

If you’re interested in learning more about cold reading and the art of psychological persuasion, then this book is for you!

Investment: £32.75

Click Here To View:

Book 13: What Every Body Is Saying

Joe Navarro, a former FBI counterintelligence officer and a recognized expert on nonverbal behavior, explains how to “speed-read” people: decode sentiments and behaviors, avoid hidden pitfalls, and look for deceptive behaviors. You’ll also learn how your body language can influence what your boss, family, friends, and strangers think of you. 

What’s inside?

• The ancient survival instincts that drive body language
• Why the face is the least likely place to gauge a person’s true feelings
• What thumbs, feet, and eyelids reveal about moods and motives
• The most powerful behaviors that reveal our confidence and true sentiments
• Simple nonverbals that instantly establish trust
• Simple nonverbals that instantly communicate authority

With a comprehensive understanding of nonverbal communication this large, mentalists can learn how to read minds in real life situations!

Investment: £13.41

View on Amazon

Did you know?

Two years ago, we discovered that many of the best magic books EVER WRITTEN—Tarbell’s course on magic, Expert at the Card Table by Erdanase and Bobo’s Coin Magic are ALL public domain.

That, in simple terms means, FREE TO READ!

Yes, you heard us right, just between these three books nearly 3,000 pages of incredible magic content is simply bouncing around the internet.

(and hardly anyone is using or knows about it…)

Here’s why:

• The content isn’t easy to find (you have to know EXACTLY what to search for and be aware of which sources are reputable and which aren’t)
• Many magic companies make NO effort to ensure this stuff is readily available (but they do profit off product after product that uses effects taken directly from these books and given a ‘modern twist’)
• People don’t know where to start (300 classic magic books is an overwhelming number, and it can be hard to find the really good stuff)
• The magic companies that HAVE collected these books sell them at a ludicrous price and they’re vastly behind the times ($80 for a CD ROM is kind of a joke…)

Here’s what we’ve done to tackle this issue:

• We’ve put all the books in one place (let’s not even talk about the 1000’s of hours this has taken, we’ll get PTSD…). There’s 368 in total.
• We’ve written a commentary for all the ones we think are worth starting with (91 to be exact)
• We’re making this accessible to the entire magic world (let’s just say our price tag doesn’t even get close to $80…).

View our 368 Classic Magic Book Collection

Every week at The Daily Magician, we explore a new idea within magic—and our readers come along for the journey. 

Whether we’re pulling apart the science of creativity, brainstorming methods with world-class magicians, or discovering what card tricks look like in Vietnam, we’ll take you ‘behind the curtain’ with us.  

To sign up, click below and enter your email:

thedailymagician.com

So, you want to know how to learn the Aronson stack?

Congratulations! You’ve just made one of the best decisions of your entire magic career.

That’s no joke.

When I first discovered the memorised deck, I knew in an instant that my magic had just changed…forever.

Suddenly, I was able to perform the kind of magic most people have only ever seen on TV…without learning ANY additional difficult sleight of hand.

It was perfect.

Since then, I’ve made it a goal to help as many other people discover the power of the memorised deck as I can!

To help do this, I released a series of three videos that show you the power of the memorised deck, and how to get started with it. You can access the first video here.

Don’t forget to check out ‘Master any Stack‘: (The only resource available that makes mastering the memorised deck as easy as making baked beans on toast).

Today, we’re going to be taking a ‘deep dive’ look into the incredible Aronson stack.

I’ll show you the following…

• • History of the Aronson stack
  • Aronson Stack Order
  • Aronson Stack Tricks
  • Aronson stack vs Mnemonica
  • How to learn Aronson stack

Ready?

Awesome.

Let’s get started…

History of the Aronson stack

The Aronson stack has a rich history.

It was the first stack to really ‘explode’ into the collective consciousness of magicians. Sure, there had been stacks before, and there would be stacks afterward, but this was the one that really started the movement. Later, Juan Tamariz would publish his excellent Mnemonica, but for a long time – the Aronson stack was THE standard.

The Aronson stack was created, of course, by the legendary Simon Aronson.

I learned the story behind the release of the stack to the public in his incredible book, Bound To Please (more on that later.)

As Aronson recounts, this stack was his personal memorized deck for a number of years. He published multiple memorized deck effects without ever revealing his own stack.

However, a lot of magicians began asking him to explain the order and inner workings of his stack.

Aronson decided that he was totally ok sharing his stack, on the basis that it would prompt other magicians to work on memorized deck magic, collectively bringing the art forward.

If you ask me, that’s just another piece of evidence that Simon Aronson was an absolute class act.

So, Aronson released his stack. With the help of fellow mem deck practitioners like Michael Close, the stack soon gained huge popularity in the USA and beyond.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Aronson Stack Order

On the surface, this looks like a totally regular, shuffled deck. There are no patterns that your spectators will spot by just glancing at the cards. Heck, even if they stare for a LONG time, they won’t see anything!

Here’s how to discover the Aronson stack order:

1. 1. Go to http://simonaronson.com/
   2. Click the section that says ‘Magicians Only’
   3. Click the part that says ‘Click Here’ to access his PDF introduction to the mem deck, Memories Are Made Of This
   4. Scroll to page 43 to view the stack
   5. Done!

P.S. Keep that PDF handy. It contains some incredible ideas and effects you can perform once you have the deck memorized!

Aronson Stack Tricks

One of the most incredible facts about the Aronson stack is this…

It comes ‘equipped’ with all the tools you need to perform a whole range of gambling demonstrations, straight ‘out of the box!’

In other words, there are several ‘patterns’ built into the stack, that will allow you to perform incredible magic without using ANY sleight of hand.

You just deal the cards…and the magic happens.

While I can’t teach you the exact effects here (see Simon Aronson’s book, Bound to Please, for that) I CAN describe to you what the effects look like.

1. Draw Poker Deal

You deal a hand to each player. When you turn over the hands, from left to right, they get successively stronger and stronger – ending with you, the dealer, holding a Royal Flush in Spades!

2. Stud Poker Deal 

This one is a little complex, it’s a multi-phase routine where you deal cards to players, face up and face down, depending on the round. Players decide whether to stay in the game. By the end, it appears two of the spectators are in for a chance of winning the game, before you reveal that you have an odds-defying yet winning hand.

3. 10 card poker deal

Imagine being able to let your spectator CHOOSE nearly all the cards they receive in a two-hand deal of 5 cards, but losing every time. This is made possible by something called a ‘Jonah card’ setup. This setup is built into the Aronson stack, allowing you to perform your favorite 10 card poker deal routine with it.

4. Combine the above

Simon Aronson gives a few suggestions on how you can take the above 3 effects and turn them into a full routine that flows from one into the next.

5. Perfect bridge hand

If you’re a fan of bridge, you’ll like this one. You can deal yourself a perfect bridge hand using the Aronson stack.

6. Spelling

There are a range of cards in the Aronson stack that you can spell to. For example, you might spell ‘Ace of Spades’ by dealing one card per letter. When you reach the end of the word, you turn the card over to reveal the Ace of Spades.

7. Any poker hand called for

This one is crazy.

Keep in mind, just being able to do all the stuff we’ve already talked about would be VERY impressive.

But to top it off, the Aronson stack is set up to let you deal ANY poker hand called for. Someone names a hand, you deal, and that hand appears.

Crazy!

Now that you have an idea of what’s contained, let’s talk about the difference between the Aronson and Mnemonica stacks…

Aronson vs Mnemonica

Marvel vs. DC.

Star Wars vs Star Trek.

Mnemonica vs Aronson.

It’s a real ‘clash of the titans’.

These two stacks are probably the most often compared in magic, so let’s dig into why that is, and which stack comes out on top…

What’s the big deal?

The Aronson stack was the first stack to really explode in popularity in the States. Some years later, Mnemonica, the brainchild of Spanish master Juan Tamariz, swept through Europe and quickly overtook Aronson to become the world’s most popular stack.

The fact that these two stacks are the two most popular has led to a lot of debate over which stack is a better one to learn.

Here are the differences between them…

Differences between the stacks

Really, the only difference between the Aronson and Mnemonica stack is in the ‘stack-dependent’ effects.

As I showed you above, the Aronson stack has a number of gambling routines you can perform straight ‘out of the box’. These are stack-dependent tricks, as they depend on you being in the stack.

Mnemonica also has a very wide range of stack-dependent effects, and since it’s slightly more popular, there’s likely been more material published by other magicians discussing a range of stack-dependent effects in Mnemonica.

The Mnemmonica stack does have one other very interesting advantage – you can get into the stack from New Deck Order.

Why those differences don’t matter

Here’s why the difference in their stack-dependent effects doesn’t matter…

Most magicians never perform stack-dependent effects!

Most magicians prefer to use ‘stack-independent’ effects. These are effects that you can perform with ANY memorized deck, regardless of which stack you’re in. They’re effects that work based purely on the fact you know the position of each card in the deck, rather than the individual pattern of the stack.

In my opinion, the best mem deck effects are all stack independent.

And so, it doesn’t matter whether you learn the Aronson stack or the Mnemonica stack…you’ll still be able to perform the best stuff!

And whether you choose Mnemonica or Aronson, I’d highly recommend buying BOTH the books associated with them (nearly all of Simon Aronson’s work for the Aronson stack, and the book Mnemonica by Juan Tamariz.)

How to learn Aronson stack

Simon Aronson teaches you his personal method for learning the stack in his book, Bound to Please.

I would highly recommend purchasing Bound to Please for all the incredible mem deck effects and ideas contained inside it – but the actual pure memorization method it uses isn’t the one I’d recommend.

How should you learn the stack, then?

The Memory Arts by Sarah and David Trustman is a tried and tested method that many other magicians have had success with.

But personally, I’d recommend looking into our very own ‘Babylon Secret’ – which will show you an elegant method to memorize as many decks as you want, by doing the same amount of work (or less) than required by all the other memory methods.

Ready to take the next step?

Below you will find a link to our wildly successful and DESPERATELY sought-out ‘Memorized Deck Starter Pack’

This link will expire within 45 minutes of you clicking, if that timer runs out, you’ll have to wait a few days to get your hands on this offer again.

Click here to check it out:

https://thedailymagician.com/starter-pack-45

(if you want to know more, head over to our homepage and sign up for daily emails to learn ALL about our stack work.)

Well, that’s it on the Aronson Stack, for now, stay safe until the next time we talk!

Get our New App ‘Master Any Stack’!

The Best Memorised Deck Trainer

Many Magicians are aware that ‘The Stack’ is the MOST Powerful Tool in Card Magic! 

But far fewer can stomach the time to truly master it…

…until NOW!

Introducing: ‘Master any Stack’ the ultimate app trainer for learning stack that makes it as easy and fun as playing a game…we promise it’s not your fault if you’ve tried learning stack before and have given up or never reached mastery…you just needed this!

Dear friend,

Some will argue, but pretty much all top magicians agree that a ‘Stack’ is the most powerful tool in all of card magic.

There’s only one problem though…

Stack is notoriously hard to master and resources are few and far between. 

So we got ambitious, what if we could create an app?

The app would need to be a lot of things, but most of all, it would need to do everything below.

Imagine This!

• Within 1 hour you’re able to go through the stack from start to finish with relative ease (we showed how to do this LIVE using the ‘Babylon secret’). 
• Practicing stack everyday is as easy as opening your email!
• You can learn any stack you want, with relative ease (no more silly questions about “which stack!?”)
• You have a tool that allows you to practice stack your way (complete customisation!)
• Stack mastery is not a chore – but a leisurely process that you hardly notice is happening!
• You have an easy application for studying your existing stack and making sure it’s always up to scratch! (the stack is a tool that must be properly maintained or it becomes dull very quickly…)

This all sounds a little to good to be true right?

Not this time! 

Have a look for yourself…

View ‘Master any Stack’

I hopped on a Zoom call with Ben Earl and some other magicians recently.

(This call was designed as a way to kick back and ‘chat magic’ for a while.)

One of the topics that came up was ‘books vs videos’, and I found Ben’s controversial stance on this very interesting…

In essence, Ben believes that by providing people with a video performance to accompany the book, you remove their ability to think for themselves and find a way to make the effect their own. 

Instead, you just create clones of whoever it is performing on the video tutorial. 

Here’s why:

Most people don’t like thinking for themselves. They prefer to just ‘plug in’ someone else’s routines, performance style, and patter (sometimes when it doesn’t even make sense!). 

But when you simply write the tutorial in book format, you encourage them to imagine in their mind how they think it should be performed—creating a unique image and artistic vision that will do a lot more good for them in the long run than simply copying another magician’s performance.  

Indeed, someone even quoted Jamy Swiss’ line that  “books = education, but videos = imitation.”

While I don’t really have a dog in this fight, I found it a pretty interesting discussion. 

Let me know which side of the camp you fall on. 

If you want to join these hangouts, just follow Studio52 on Instagram and you should get a notification next time we have one.

Benji