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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 154)
Read in June, 2008
Well... I had high hopes for this book, but I was left feeling somewhat disappointed. Those of you who know Derren Brown will know what to expect from this book: some information about a few tricks, some stuff about the power of the humand mind and some funny anecdotes, all presented in an interesting if at times somewhat bizarre writing style.
That's what you would expect, right? Right. That's what I expected, anyway. And I got all of that, in about half of the book: some stuff about coin a...more
That's what you would expect, right? Right. That's what I expected, anyway. And I got all of that, in about half of the book: some stuff about coin a...more
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Read in June, 2008
Delightful induction into a palace of memory tricks, performance tips, language hints, and the danger of invisible rhinos.
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Read in January, 2008
For those not familiar with him, Derren Brown is a British magician who has uses a variety of slight of hand, hypnosis, suggestion and misdirection for his shows. A few months ago while I was obsessed with watching every youtube video I could find of him, I found out that he had written a book and immediately ordered a copy.
The book discusses topics that are an integral part of his tricks, without actually saying exactly how he does his tricks. What he does is write about various psychology ...more
The book discusses topics that are an integral part of his tricks, without actually saying exactly how he does his tricks. What he does is write about various psychology ...more
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Read in May, 2008
I was recently turned onto Derren's TV shows and think that he is a fascinating character. His book, while indeed fascinating, was not quite what I was expecting.
It jumps from topic to topic, sort of the way one would expect an excited individual to as he or she attempted to pen everything that came to mind. The book discusses a wide variety of topics from illusions to atheism. It has some practical tips for memory, avoiding scams, and amateur magic. It also has some deep and insightful com...more
It jumps from topic to topic, sort of the way one would expect an excited individual to as he or she attempted to pen everything that came to mind. The book discusses a wide variety of topics from illusions to atheism. It has some practical tips for memory, avoiding scams, and amateur magic. It also has some deep and insightful com...more
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Read in July, 2007
Although a bit disjointed, with chapters jumping from topic to topic, Darren Brown, the renowned illusionist, has still written a pretty interesting book on the subjects of magic, the mind and mysticism.
Early on he gives some insight into how his interest in magic and mentalism contributed to his eventual conversion from evangelism to atheism.
Next Darren deconstructs some simple card tricks, mind reading, and sleight of hand. His intention is to teach the reader these skills but I pre...more
Early on he gives some insight into how his interest in magic and mentalism contributed to his eventual conversion from evangelism to atheism.
Next Darren deconstructs some simple card tricks, mind reading, and sleight of hand. His intention is to teach the reader these skills but I pre...more
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
people who like his shows and want some behind the scenes glimpses
I like Derren Brown a lot and have a lot of resepect for his mastery of the assorted crafts he utilises.
The book is a strange mix - part history of a variety of 'mind games' and techniques he employs, interspaced with small autobiographical anecdotes and frequent rants against religion and pseudo science. You can learn a lot with a bit of effort if you actually follow his instructions (the memory sections really blew me away when they worked - giving me a brand new party skill overnight) ...more
The book is a strange mix - part history of a variety of 'mind games' and techniques he employs, interspaced with small autobiographical anecdotes and frequent rants against religion and pseudo science. You can learn a lot with a bit of effort if you actually follow his instructions (the memory sections really blew me away when they worked - giving me a brand new party skill overnight) ...more
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Read in September, 2007
This intriguing book gives insights into how Derren Brown performs his stage and television shows, as well as enabling him to give free rein to rants on topics such as alternative healing.
It's notable that while Brown dismisses the role of the anecdote in establishing the veracity of, say, reiki healing, he's happy to offer anecdotes that establish the falseness of television mediums. Either anecdotes are evidence, or they're not--my own view being that they're not--and this double standard...more
It's notable that while Brown dismisses the role of the anecdote in establishing the veracity of, say, reiki healing, he's happy to offer anecdotes that establish the falseness of television mediums. Either anecdotes are evidence, or they're not--my own view being that they're not--and this double standard...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
people who enjoy learning about psychology
I found this book far more insightful than I was expecting. Derren Brown reveals a good deal more about his techniques and himself than one would expect. His witty anecdotal style was refreshing but did not belie his apparent intelligence. A rewarding book in many ways as it introduces the reader to various techniques that do work, as well as pointing out those that probably don't.
My one criticism is that almost halfway through this book Mr. Brown seems to lose focus and it takes a wh...more
My one criticism is that almost halfway through this book Mr. Brown seems to lose focus and it takes a wh...more
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Read in October, 2008
I really enjoyed this book if only for Derren's witty, somewhat pedantic narration. He is clearly a hilarious guy and yet very self-deprecating. He could have been talking about moldy cheese the whole time and I'm sure I would have still enjoyed it, but as the case may be he actually was discussing stuff that I found interesting to boot. At the end, he does get preachy and ranty, but he still makes his point and it does not detract from the whole rest of the book. Good times.
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recommends it for:
Anyone interested in how the mind works and the effect this can have on your life
So far, it is scary how much this man knows about the human brain! I have certain beliefs which (until now) I would have argued blind to defend. Now I am not so sure, afterall, as Derren put it himself - What is a belief, where do they come from and aren't we just subjective to what we really want to believe?
I challenge you to read it!
I challenge you to read it!
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Bronwen by:
Andrew Millerrecommends it for: Everyone
I recently discovered Derren Brown's TV shows & specials and after hearing a friend's glowing review of his book I bought a copy. It is an absolute delight! I love Derren's style of writing and his book is full of fascinating and fantastic ideas and explanations, combined with multiple laugh-out-loud moments. Highly recommended.
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Read in May, 2008
This is a fantastic book. I saw him live and saw this in the book shop a few days later. It's filled with things I find interesting, memory skills, old paranormal stuff, hypnotism. It's a great read. I found the fist chapter difficult as he has a challenging writing style, it's well worth getting through it.
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No book has ever made me question what I believe in as much as this one does. It really opened my mind. It is written in a witty informal way, and I like the way he jumps around from topic to topic. The stuff about how to do magic was a little boring.
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Read in January, 2007
Derren Brown is actually funnier and more self deprecating than my preconceived idea of him (from watching his shows).
This is a great read with some real insights. But I agree with others - I could've done with more of the mind mentalism.
This is a great read with some real insights. But I agree with others - I could've done with more of the mind mentalism.
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Read in February, 2008
Witty, insightful and wonderfully sardonic while maintaining a consistent approach. I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy the read when I started (received the book as a gift) but I've been very pleasantly surprised.
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Fantastic book - entertaining, enlightening, educational, it's got absolutely everything. Derren Brown is a genius, hands down. This is one of those books you need to read before you die.
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Derren Brown writing about mind control techniques. Irritating "jokes" in what is generally a serious book and thought provoking book, with practical things one can try oneself.
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Read in February, 2007
Very interesting insight into how Mr Brown uses psychology to make people think he is a magician. Links to NLP which is decried by Derren but he nevertheless uses it to good effect
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Read in June, 2008
I quite enjoyed this book but it got a bit boring in the last section. What would have made this book much better if there was more on mentalism and less on tricks.
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Read in May, 2008
David read this one and really thought it would challenge me spiritually, although he's not a Christian, but an atheist. I guess that's the challenge. ?
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