In todays world of computer science and ultra high tech special effects, we as entertainers are confronted daily with audiences whose level of sophistication and skeptism far surpasses that of those from years gone by.

With that said, I am curious about your thoughts regarding the effectiveness of book tests in general. Are they still effective as a demonstration of our so-called ability to read minds? (Keeping in mind that the performer has good presentation skills)

Or, do you think that most spectators view these tests as mere puzzles, or worse yet, that the performer must have some sort of hidden device giving him the answer?

Further, with so many book test packages and methods available (most very costly), which test(s) do you recommend, and why?
;)

Hi Steve,

First of all let me thank you again for this opportunity. It's been fun and I've really enjoyed it. I hope many others on the Cafe will chime in before we're done next week.

Personally I'm a big fan of booktests. I use them all the time. I rarely rationalize them to my audience out loud, but my internal script is always that we're looking for a totally random word or phrase, one that neither the spec or I could have known about ahead of time. Just trying to keep things fair and above board. Therefore there can be no chicanery (yeah right...)

If I verbally rationalize the use of a book or books, it's pretty much what I just internally said. I think that we as performers sometimes overthink things and our own internal conversations wind up coloring the audiences viewpoint on our performance. Don't get me wrong, it's GOOD to think these things through and make sure that we, as the performer whose butt is on the line, are comfortable with what's going on. That being said, I personally feel that if the performer is comfortable with a prop or procedure, the audience won't 'sense' any discomfort and therefore have less reason to think along those lines. But if there's any discomfort on the part of the performer, DON'T do the effect. That discomfort will translate to the audience on some level and 'flag' the procedure or prop.

There are several fabulous gimmicked booktests available out there that are worth every penny you pay for them and much more. I have carried (and continue to do so) most of the better ones I've seen and used over the years. Personal faves would be (in no particular order...) Becker's Flashback (both original and Ultimate, I use both), The Mother Of All Booktests, Insight, Richard Webster's 'Great For Two' Booktest (I LOVE this one, easily one of the most commercial presentations out there and certainly the simplest of all to perform), and more recently Harvey Berg's fabulous 'Final Exam'.

This last one is simply amazing on so many levels. First of all, the sheer volume of work that went into its production is staggering. The method is absolutely undetectable, there's NO WAY anyone will figure out how this thing works. Plus it's immediately repeatable. And it most closely resembles what I would think of as pure 'thought reading'. If you were to see it performed, not only would you be totally in the weeds, but completely convinced of how 'real' this looks to an audience. It's amazing.

All of these special booktests cost good money. They range in price from $45 or so (the original Flashback) to nearly $400 (The Mother). Each is WELL worth the asking price IF you're going to take the time to use it. I have and use them all, plus others, and I highly recommend all of them.

Of course there are some outstanding completely impromptu booktests (Hoy's will be the first that most will think of) as well as a bunch of others that use regular books (going back to Annemann's Magazine Mystery).

Of course, the 'bible' of booktests HAS to be Boarde's Mainly Mental Volume II, which has *practically* everything there is to know about booktests in it. I say practically because much has happened in the 50+ years since it was published. Still it's required reading if you really want to learn about booktests.

Booktests is a HUGE topic and we could easily spend a ton of time on it. Did you know that in Potter's Index there are more listings for 'booktests' than there are for 'four ace tricks'? What does THAT tell you?

BTW if anyone has a set of Potter's index they know of for sale, I'm DEFINITELY in the market. Please let me know...

I know there are a bunch of opinions and experiences about booktests out there. Let's hear from you, guys.

Mark

About three years ago, my good friend and I were having a conversation about various ideas in reference to booktests. From that conversation/brainstorming session we created a booktest that has become a staple of our performances, so much so, that it is one of the most talked about routines in the entire show.

My first performance of it took place in a casino. Present in the audience were a number of magician friends and two fellow mentalists. I was amazed by two things re the booktest:

1. How strong it had played for the lay audience in general, and my 'magical' friends in particular, and the strong response it had received overall (audible gasps and enthusiastic applause);

2. The explanations/solutions that the aforementioned magicians/mentalists were giving me after the performance as to how they believed the routine was performed - I didn't tell!

Please do not misinterpret my above comments as bragging about the booktest that we created...I do not claim it to be the "be all and end all" of booktests! Yes, it IS strong, but I do not believe it to be the best out there. It does, however, work incredibly well for me and my style of presentation/performance. Besides, there is probably no one else out there doing this particular booktest.

My real intention for the above description is to share with those who may not do such a routine just how strong they can play for an audience.

Prior to developing the method that I presently use - and, I should point out, that it is an old idea updated - the Hoy Booktest was my perennial favourite. It did not, however, receive the attention that I have been consistently receiving from my recent addition. I realize there could be several reasons for this (i.e. weak presentation, poor blocking, etc.).

Bottom line: I concur with Mr. Strivings' thoughts on booktests. If you do not presently perform one, seriously consider adding one to your arsenal of 'mindgames.' I 'predict' you'll be glad you did!

Henry Hay gives a book test in The Amateur Magician's Handbook that sounded really good to me . . . I'll have to stick with it , anyway, 'cuz there's no way I could afford all that stuff . . . yikes . . .

Mark,

I couldn't find "Final Exam" checking a few web sites. I suspect you sell it. How much is it (hopefully closer in price to Flashback than Mother of All Booktests!)? Is it fairly new?

Final Exam came out early last summer. I do carry it. It normally sells for $195, I've got a small handful left for $185.

It is a SUPERB production job. Absolutely a dead-on ringer for a genuine classic novel (two of them, actually). Completely undetectable method. So undetectable, in fact, that I defy anyone who doesn't already know the method to find the workings of this thing. And that's letting you examine the books for as long as you desire.

Obviously spectator's don't stand a prayer. I think it's outstanding. It does take some work to get the 'workings' down, but it's not a big deal. It can be instantly repeated unlike a great many other booktests out there and you get an entire scene or picture of what's happening in the book, not just a single word. I think it's the best booktest out there to simulate 'genuine' thoughtreading.

You don't have to act or imitate great mental effort. It 'plays' more or less automatically on that level already. As you can tell, I think it's tremendous and well worth every penny. Otherwise I wouldn't carry it.

Drop me a note off-list at MarkyApril@aol.com for ordering info and we can get you set up if you so desire. Thanks!!

Mark

BTW - I also carry many of the other better gimmicked booktests that have come out over the last few years.

Mr.Strivings,
Besides Hoy's routine-which is great-could
you suggest another improptu booktest? (I can't use the wonderful gimmicked booktests
you mention because all of them are in English).
What's your opinion about the Canasta's method?
Thanks,
Christos

Mark,
If I might suggest, Richard Busch has a brillint impromptu booktest.

PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

There are two types of book tests; the linear, direct approach (as in MOABT) or the convoluted, multiple-participants-multiple-variables (as in the Seafire sequence). Both have their place. It really comes down to what works best for you in a given situation. Most of the time, I find it valuable to get the spectator to write it down... Gives something to focus on and makes the book less important; the book is just used to randomly generate a 'target'.

That is why using a magazine or newspaper is so fair; the disposability of it plays well with giving the materials an 'innocence' They are commonplace and their presence is not unusual in any setting.

If you are to provide the books, I think you should be ready to do something with a book which may be volunteered by participants, and this is the situation where in the true value of Hoy's becomes apparent.

I appreciate Christos' comment about great book tests available in Shakespeare's language only.

Alain Nu has some great ideas along the lines of book tests which may be applied to any languages.

The Cassidy Ash Test is also universally applicable.

I have used the MOAB in France, mannnnnny times. Never had a problem. The dustjacket is wearing out (all right, just a little bit), looks like just any book... besides they can read it.

Anyway, if you're not comfortable, use a Spanish book plus a German book in addition to the gaffed one. And then you can go for several variations. There are several routines which use gaffed books regardless of the language...

Hope this helps a bit...

Mark Strivings has a very good book/word test in his book about the SUC (The Unseen Edition???Is that the proper title Mark?). I don't know that it can be done impromptu, as it requirea an audience large enough so that the two participamts won't be chatting after the show, but it is a very good word test.

Best regards,
Tony Razzano

Paul mentions Richard Busch's impromptu booktest. It's outstanding! It's in his manuscript on the Mother Of All Booktests called "Mother's Home Companion" which is very close to being out of print. I MAY have a copy around here somewhere if anyone is interested. It's completely impromptu and comes dangerously close to duplicating the MOAB. It's a killer.

Mark