Where can I look for books/dvds explaining how the hell people like Luke Jermay, Colin McCleod and Derren Brown can reveal information about people without any write down? I'm by no means a mentalist but I have witnessed this first hand and I feel it's the closest thing to real magic out there. If anyone knows anything on impromptu mind reading then please please please reply to this

You can learn through their material that is available. I'm guessing you are wanting to learn from what you saw watching some of their videos? To be honest, what you see isn't always what you really see. That being said, yes there is a ton of propless material available but if you have no prior knowledge with mentalism, I strongly suggest you start with the more "basics". What is your performing experience? I ask as this type of thing is not something you just go do, it takes time to understand what your doing, why your doing it and also where you take things after.

If you want to look like a pro as the guys above do, invest is books such as Bob Cassidy, Bannacheks Psychological Subtleties, Annemann, Corinda, Paramiracles by Ted Lesley, Luke Jermays wonderful book building blocks and then move on from there. A lot of what you see that you are asking uses methods from those books and some of those techniques are as old as the hills but that's why they are classics, because they work and those performers know how to use them in certain ways. It's all about being creative and being yourself as a performer, there is really no shortcut and this is just from experience as great things truly do take time to master. Also, check the search function and you will find a wealth of knowledge as like I said above, there is so much literature out there on these types of effects, it's just a matter of starting in the right place.

All the best.

Jamie's advice is priceless. You have to learn to crawl, then walk..... before you can run. Bob Cassidy has an excellent document called "The 39 Steps" and it is available free of charge from his website. He shares the 39 books anyone wishing to embark on the art of mentalism should read. Enjoy.

Ray

Luke Jermay and Peter Turner are great. As the Great Bob Cassidy. Good Luck!!!

What I do in this situation is serial prevaricator.
I like it a lot.

For me, the go to effect is White Room by Ran Pink. It's just so awesome!

I am too in the process of building a simple yet effective repertoire of mentalism effects which require as little preparation as possible. There are so many things out there ! I am currently reading Practical Mental Magic from T. Anneman and Prism from Max Maven. Currently both beside my bed These are the best source of inspiration I've had in years.
One of my favorite effects is Forced Will by Jonas Ljung, available in the magic 21 by sweden dvd (great dvd by the way). This effect is very powerful, simple and totally impromptu. It is also impossible to reverse-engineer if you use all the subtelities Jonas talks about !

Yes! JAMIE D. and RAY BERTRAND have given you the "real work"!

I knew STANLEY JAKS in the '50s (shortly before he died). He told me some fantastic "stories" about his mental act.

MAX MAVEN didn't get to where he is, overnight! We first met in Miami in '75. He did his "homework"! We haven't had a jackpot session in years. I vividly remember the last time I worked the Castle. Mike Caldwell, Al Goshman, Max, and I had a 3 AM breakfast! What a "session"!!! (The "best part" was: Al Goshman picked up the check! --THAT, was a "miracle"!

Get some books on Cold Reading, I don't know any in english but sure some other user does

I have the 21 DVD but haven't watched it yet, seems like I should check it out.

Thanks Mago Elizalde!

I forgot to mention that. Lee Jacobs published a manuscript in English) on CR. It was good. I loaned mine out, and it "disappeared".

While some of you are talking about CR, what book would you recommend for someone to start in this area ? I am interested in it but I really don't enjoy memory work. Is there an accessible part (even small) of CR among those criterias ?

My favourite book on CR is Ian Rowlands full facts of cold reading. Lots of useful information in there.

'The Prodigal' by Atlas Brookings requires not one single prop. What would you do if you could determine someone's thought of word, impromptu, with nothing written down? Blow minds, that's what.
Michael Murray's 'A Piece Of My Mind' is also promising to be my book of 2014.
Of course, I would recommend some of the classics most readily found in Bob Cassidy's 39 steps if you are new to the field.
Like many before me, Corinda and Annemann paved my way into this strange mystical universe we call mentalism.

Personally, I think many of the above offerings are not meant for someone just starting out like this.

Stay away from Turner, Jermay, Brookings and Cold Reading please. At least for now.

I echo Jamie D, who first responded to your question...and second Ray Bertrand.

Do yourself (and others) a big favour and learn the basics first.

You'll be very happy you did.

Cheers,
Alex

I think Chris Philpott's book entitled "Intimate Mysteries" is a great one. It is not overly advanced, but the effects are tremendous!

KJ