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:
- 13 Steps to Mentalism
- The Encyclopedia of Mentalism
- Psychological Subtleties
- Practical Mental Magic
- PRISM: The Colour Series of Mentalism
- The Principles of Mentalism
- Theatre of the Mind
- Mind, Myth and Magick
- The Derren Brown Collection
- Fundamentals of Professional Mentalism
- The Professional Mentalist Manuals
- Quick and Effective Cold Reading
- 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:
- Mnemonics and Mental Systems
- Mentalism Card Tricks
- Blindfolds & X Rays
- The Swami Gimmick
- Pencil, Lip, Touch, Sound, and Reading Muscles
- Billets
- Book Tests and Fogel Interview
- Two Person Telepathy
- Mediumistic Stunts
- Predictions
- Publicity Stunts
- Question and Answer
- 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 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
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
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
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
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…
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
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
‘Book’ 9: The Derren Brown Collection



- Tricks of the Mind
- Confessions of a Conjurer
- 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
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
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
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
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
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