Mind Blowing by James Biss

I'm going to start off in a rather unorthodox order. In reading my previous review it struck me that there was A LOT of reading before you got to a conclusion. So I am going to begin each review with my recommendation for those with little time and then elaborate.

As a magician mentalism never struck me as particularly fun to perform, and it still doesn't. I'm much more in touch with magic as a visual or physical medium. That being said this is truly one of the very very few book on mentalism I can work my way through without wanting to slit my wrists.

I'd buy this book again even with the DIY aspect of many things and the few expensive gadgets to buy to utilize this book properly. If you DON'T want to spend extra money don't buy this book there will be about 500 bucks in extras to buy if you want to do EVERYTHING in this book, possibly more. I HIGHLY recommend this book for many reasons, the most prominent for EVERY performer being:

Part Seven-Mental Devices

Mind Changer Bags

"The Mind Changer Bag is a transparent plastic force bag. Unlike most change bags available they look completely innocent because they are made from ordinary Ziplock-type bags." Detailed instruction on how to make this with images is included.

Remote Control Change Packs

This is a modern version of the magicians double envelope. Created using those padded mailers from the post office. Opaque and brilliant in design. Again a great deal of detail in how to make these yourself, and I highly recommend you do.

Felt Tip Thumb Tip

A secret writing device similar to a swami but allows you to write in felt tip marker. A vast improvement. Who on stage write with pencil and expects the audience to see it?

The Rock Star Writer

Similar in concept to the above writer but allows you to use just about any type of writing implement. Also explains the use of one which appears to be marker and is easily wiped away afterwards. Very clever!

Loonie Page Force

Using a coin (loonie is the slang term for a Canadian dollar), Mr. Biss teaches you how to do a book test on the spot. I believe this idea might have been published before but don't have a reference to compare to. If anyone knows I'd love to hear from you.

Magical Markers

This details the construction of a magnetic marker, I needn't say more.

Digital Retrieval Devices

I enjoyed this so much I'm not going to comment on it. It is diabolical, the biggest leap in mentalism in 100 years.

Okay, now for some other info, the book is the same as Mr. Biss' first book Messing With Minds in that all the effects are presented and the methods explained at the end of each chapter. Contrary to most books with effect, method, effect, method, etc. Personally I find this particularly frustrating to read. That is a personal opinion, mind you, and I would not be surprised if those not familiar with previous magic literature found it to be easier to choose material. I suppose it depends how you read your magic books. I'd like to make one more complaint, the effects are described in GREAT detail, which for the performer skimming for something makes it a very involved process to read through 4-5 pages of just the effect/script as seen by the audience. It would be nice to have a brief high-concept sentence or two. For example,
"Reproduce thought of images by spectators without any assistance."

Part One of this book is a series of intriguing essays.

It appears as though Mr. Biss is quite spiritual and it is reflected strongly in his writing, I'd also assume rather left wing, but nonetheless the essays are well written and the points are quite fascinating with regards to bullies on stage, progression as a performer and various looks at topics like Verbal vs. Visual, Matter vs. Method, Empowering vs. Egotistical, etc. I particularly enjoyed this part of the book.

Part Two details the Impressionable Mind Board.

A utility device available for about 60-70 bucks from your favorite magic supplier (who has it in stock). It is a white plastic board with the ability to provide drawings for you made be the audience. It is a great prop but with all the devices explained in the book and about 32 pages devoted to a 10 minute, minimalist routine which is also our first introduction to the mentalism in this book, you'd expect instructions on how to make one would be included. Otherwise don't make it the first tricks in the book! Now the routine if very good, very very good, and it will fool the magi in your life. But shouldn't the first tricks be performable right away? The routine is a solid routine but please don't detail the tricks which are available to me when I have to purchase the board, it wastes paper and time.

Part Three, ESP Mind Set

This is an introduction to ESP cards and a plug for Magication, the producer of large, stage suitable, vinyl ESP cards. We open with a few pages of the history of ESP cards, more specifically JB Rhine's story. The effects to follow are good effects but I could see some not liking them. A design duplication to the Nth degree, out of this world with esp card, and a routine requiring double backed ESP cards that I just couldn't read through. There are a number of either grammatical or logical errors that I wasn't in the mood for, sorry. Again I am a touch perturbed by the author for presenting something requiring me to purchase magic specific items from a dealer. So far you can do nothing from this book without going out and buying a few magic props. That's all fine an dandy, the routine are good, but for the magic enthusiast this might be discouraging and this book might find it's way to a shelf near you or to someone else's shelf via E Bay.

Part Four, Saving the White Taggers

Once more the tricks in this section require you to have Mind Changer Envelopes, something you will have to make or purchase, most of the routine could be done without though. The routine as it insinuates requires a "tagger" label maker, but the routines produced are brilliant. unfortunately again nothing that can be done without a bit of leg work. The routines are remarkable mind you, drawing random things written down and sealed in an envelope left with a spectator and finally asking the spectator to pull out a random one, which you immediately duplicate! A spectator successfully reads a crystal ball and the numbers another spectator has dialed on his phone, and fortune cookies successfully predict information. Now, there is a bitching recipe for fortune cookies in this book, so top marks there! The effects as you read them above are diabolical and there methods even better. I'd say the run around is worth it for sure.

Part Five, Psychic Segues

A compilation of tricks and thoughts on mentalism including a sudoku effect, how modern and pop culture appropriate! "If you really are psychic why don't you pick the lottery numbers?" I assume a common question to mentalists. Well Mr. Biss does just that! We also have a few impromptu-esque tricks to perform with much less preparation than the previous tricks mentioned. An interesting take on the Koran Medallion type effect, a card revelation with breasts (always fun). I've omitted a few tricks for you to find out about yourself.

Part Six, The Tesla Vision Files

This chapter interested me particularly because of the types of tricks. First, you have eyes closed back to a couple spectators on stage and you successfully with back turned determine who put their hand up by free will and which shoulder they tapped and how many times...
Finding a spectators keys hidden in the audience while you aren't looking. We get a tale of Nikola Tesla and Tesla vision and finally the methods for these effects, which I must admit shocked me pleasantly.