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Tricks of the Mind | 
| Author: Derren Brown
Publisher: Channel 4 Books, a division of Transworld Publishers
Category: Book
New (3) Used (12) Collectible (1) from £6.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  105 reviews
Sales Rank: 40078
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.5
ISBN: 1905026269
EAN: 9781905026265
ASIN: 1905026269
Publication Date: October 23, 2006
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| Customer Reviews: Read 100 more reviews...
I would not have been suprised if I'd finished the book, only to find myself hypnotised, mailing all my possesions to Mr Brown. August 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
To be honest, I don't think this book needs another review, as much of what makes this title great has already been expressed on here. Work is quiet, however, and so it is too hard not to say something about a book I so thoroughly enjoyed.
As many people have said, Brown's writing style is very entertaining, lines such as "read on you clever sausage, you," give it the light-hearted tone that makes it such an easy read. Obviously, any one who picks up this book will be doing so because they are curious about Brown's techniques, and I really felt that the content did not disappoint in the slightest. Near the start of the book, Brown gives a discourse in the powers of misdirection as he goes through a vanishing coin trick. The general premise is: You do one thing and this provokes a good response from your audience, but how about you add another element to the trick to help build the anticipation; but that's not enough, so you add yet another element near the end that actually makes the audience believe they have discovered how you did the trick, you taunt them with this and then - at the last moment, you dash all their hopes as you reveal that you have misled them and they have completely failed to discover your method. I was learning the delights of showmanship, and this man is obviously a master of that art.
I found the memory section of the book incredible. My memory is awful and so I was amazed to note that within five minutes of starting the chapter, I was memorising lists of twenty words in order, after thirty seconds of looking at them. A couple of days later I got my friends to give me forty words - it took me a couple of minutes but now - about three weeks later, I can remember the list, in order, back to front - no problem. Brown also details methods for learning numbers, scripts or more diverse subjects, such as the Titles of all of Shakespeare's plays, in order. If applied correctly, there really is no limit to what you can remember with these techniques.
The hypnosis section was fascinating and this was always a topic I was very curious about. I thought Brown revealed quite a good deal about this area, and he even gives you the titles of the books that he started his learning from. Nearer the end of the book, Brown goes into the paranormal and we read his well-constructed arguments against supernatural phenomena. I admittedly felt my interest dipping slightly during these later stages of the book, simply because I did not find these topics as interesting as the chapters on psychology, but everyone will pick up this book for different reasons, and the topics Brown covers are too diverse for one not to have strong preferences to certain chapters.
All in all, a very informative read. I'm still bringing this book up in conversation to people. It is by no means comprehensive, but I think it gives a great picture as to the kinds of things Brown was experimenting with in the early stages of his craft - what with all the books he suggests for further reading, Tricks of the mind provides a firm foundation for anybody who is interested in studying Mentalism, Hypnosis or any other psychological trickery. If I wasn't so tight with my stars, I would certainly give this book 5!
 Better than all self-help books put together. August 9, 2008
I wasn't even expecting this to be a self-help book, but it not only entertained me, but is startlingly good at improving what was a poor memory. I had really struggled with memory books by the like of Tony Buzan, but Derren Brown's wit, imagination, clear explanation of the Loci System as well as superior version of the Major System had me remembering football results and phone numbers with ease.
Although he uses plenty of tongue-in-cheek use of superlatives to describe himself and his achievements, this book is packed full of tips and techniques you can actually use. Unlike many "self help" books, which is just the author explaining just how wonderful they are, without actually teaching anything.
If you're into crystal healing, you're probably not going to like his opinions on this or his rant about junk medicine, but you should probably read it anyway.
Let's see now... telephone, sausage, monkey... easy peasy! And the old lady with the beehives and totem pole still lets me remember that long number. I have never been able to achieve stuff like that before.
Buy the book - for the price of less than two pints, you could develop the basis of enough pub tricks to win all the drinks you'll ever need!
Very Funny, Very Derren July 5, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I read the book some time ago and therefore do not remember all in detail. What has stayed in my mind however is how funny he is and also his excellent tips on memory. I would recommend it to anyone.
Mind over matter June 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Delivered in Derren's usual style of a mix of serious points with a tendency to show that he's not prepared to take himself too seriously this is an easy and enjoyable read. Starting with an introduction to the tricks that have been part of his stage show, it quickly moves into looking at the workings of the human mind and progresses to give a philosophical treatise that is as intelligent as it is readable (if only most philosophy books could convey their ideas like this instead of trying to tie themselves up in complexity and linguistic gymnastics). More than anything Derren shows that if you don't have a sense of humour about yourself and your own ideas then you're unlikely to really be open to understanding the nuances of human behaviour and the inner workings of the mind
Ultimately you believe what you want to believe. June 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although he has been around for a few years and has had some series of programmes on channel 4 I had not taken any notice of him.I thought he was American and was merely a magician.
I changed my mind when I watched a programme on memory. I had not seen the idea before but he got some normal bloke to scan quickly without taking anything in about 100 books. He then entered him into a pub quiz competition and he came first equal with a whole team in atop pub quiz. It was amazing.
Some of his views are thought provoking but as he says uniformed strong opinions such as religious ones are mere prejudices
I was interested in his views on NLP recently people keep talking about modelling and I learn it comes form NLP. He said in experiments on practical subjects such as sharpshooting both groups those who modelled and those who learnt by traditional methods had the same results.the image is given they you can become an Einstein or a Pavarotti through some brain programming process,
He compares NLP to th e sophists who used to brag that they could convince people that black was white.They did not have to demonstrate any knowledge or improve knowledge just show how clever they were by their powers of arguing.
He claims self help gurus like Tony Robbins use the age old adage just get on with it its about do or don't do We are defined by our actions not our motives our thoughts or intentions mean very little unless they lead to action
its how we behave or even sometimes how much we make the effort to be nice that makes the difference. an obvious but much missed point.
He also discusses hypnosis and says most of it is because we want to believe in it and we are therefore suggestible. It must be true as in things like stopping smoking hypnotist say it will not work if the person does not want to give up
Alternative therapists claim that scientists use they wrong methods to test the efficiency of their treatments As he says it either works or it doesn't.They only complain when science doesn't agree with them
In pseudo science and bad thinking he says alternative therapists spend time with and touch patients whereas GPs tend not to.It may therefore be a placebo effect.
He discusses what and why we believe things. Most things cannot be proved and as he says what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.
Some of the other reviewers have said it but it is a rag bag of a book but there is plenty in there to interest you and he is a showman and an entertainer. I enjoyed reading the book and I like all his shows whereas up until recently I had taken no notice of him.
Highly recommended.
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