How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show [Paperback]

Simon Winthrop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2011

A renowned stage magician reveals the secrets of The Mentalist's brainpower.

On the hit television show The Mentalist, protagonist Patrick Jane employs his keen powers of observation and mental acuity to assist the police. Now, noted stage magician Simon Winthrop explains How to Be a Mentalist by revealing how Jane comes to his startlingly accurate conclusions- and also asserts that it's possible for anyone to bring similar skills to bear in their everyday life.

Featuring intellectual and physical exercises, readers will learn how to reach their fullest mental potential by enhancing memory, developing observational abilities, using persuasion, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Simon Winthrop has been performing close up and stage magic globally for many years. His talent has made him one of the most sought-after corporate entertainers in the world. Based in Las Vegas, he travels extensively and has entertained celebrities including Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042523651X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425236512
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to information only, January 19, 2011

By 

Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show (Paperback)

If you're a fan of the TV show, you'll be intrigued by the premise of this book and want to dive into the secrets of what makes Patrick Jane so awesome. Unfortunately for you, this book won't open the doors for you that you're hoping for. This book serves mostly as a primer, giving you basic information for particular things he does, without giving you any real meat to make it happen for yourself. If you have no experience in mentalism effects or hypnosis, then this is a way for you to sound informed at a party. However, putting any of these in practice will be hard.

To the book's credit, it does reference particular episodes to explain what the author is talking about. That does make it relevant to the show. And it's not that thick, so you'll be able to knock this out in just a few hours.

Really want to amaze folks? There are several books that would give you enough information to be effective, though you would need to read each for a particular area. The Encyclopedia of Cold Reading (all you would need to prove yourself a mind reader), Anneman's Mental Miracles (to show off a little), and a basic hypnosis book (if you're willing to put in the practice time) would be more beneficial if you are truly interested in "how to be a mentalist". If you're just interested in a little more depth on what they do in the show, pick this up.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Popcorn Reading Meant to Divert Audiences, September 3, 2011

By 

Ross Raffin (Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show (Paperback)

This book is the result of a mentalist selling a product to his audience, not a mentalist explaining mentalism.

He perpetuates Mentalist myths like Derren Brown's NLP and gives readers the explanation that Mentalists use to make their "magic" seem more credible. When he explains things (like telepathy acts), he gives a routine so watered down that any amateur could detect the pattern.

If you want to learn about mentalism, read Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism.

This book isn't even authorized by the actual writer's of The Mentalist.


13 steps to mentalism

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Useful, February 8, 2011

By 

M. Smith - See all my reviews

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This review is from: How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show (Paperback)

While the introduction builds up excitement, the book as a whole is disappointing. I did not learn anything new in this work, nor did I think differently because of it. In the book, the author tells the readers to buy expensive clothes and a good car, because perceptions is everything. That is the shallowest thing any "mentalist" can say.

The only benefit to this book is it reinforces stereotypes. Read it if you want for enjoyment, but do not get it to learn.