Tricks of the Mind
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2008-05-22
By Plom de Nume, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
"[James Braid, a Manchester surgeon] saw the trance state as one of nervous sleep and named it after `Hypnos', the Greek god of pretending to have sex with a mop on stage."
Beautiful.
Of course, the things that Mister Brown does, or appears to do (in public, that is), are fascinating in themselves - so any insight into the tricks of his trade was always going to make compelling reading. And the beans he spills in this book cover the whole, broad spectrum of the skills and techniques used, from sleight of hand to suggestion and all points between, with admirable candour.
The broad beans alone, then, are worth the admission fee. Plus, they in no way detract from the effectiveness of past or future performances. In fact, Brown's insider disclosures add to the entertainment value (in the same way that knowing that Ray Harryhausen spent months moving his model skeletons bit by bit, frame by frame, actually renders those minutes at the end of Jason and the Argonauts even more awesome).
In addition to the many fascinating facts revealed, there are also some very interesting questions asked and views cogently expressed (the latter hinted at, now I think of it, in the appreciative quotation from Brown on the sleeve of Dawkin's "The God Delusion"). This "serious" element gives the book an authority that should carry its appeal beyond the popular celebrity audience and put it on the shelves of all those in search of a bit of gravitas (only without the ponderous mental/scrotal baggage more usually associated with such matters).
The true delight of this book, though, is the lovely writing. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that a mind like this performer's should be so lively and engaging on the page. Nevertheless, to be laughing out loud so early - and afterwards so often - in one's perusal of such a "specialist" (and actually very erudite) work, makes the reader warm all the more to the book and the author. Brown's writing is wonderfully fluent and his vocabulary is exemplary but always accessible. If "yoof" - or anyone else - is/are attracted to this literary performance on the back of Brown's "cool" TV work, then so much the better. Good language and clear, honest thinking: there's hope for us all if these become a bit more fashionable!
The real treat, then, is the discovery that Derren Brown writes with the kind of swift wit associated with Alan Coren or Clive James, whilst his voice has that delicious facility of hearing and humorously undercutting itself that graces the work of Douglas Adams. In this sense, Brown represents the idea of "crowd-pleasing" in its very best manifestation: informing, challenging, entertaining - and really, really funny! Encore!
2008-05-23
By P. G. Womack, Diss, Norfolk
I greatly enjoyed this book; anyone expecting a step-by-step for each trick
Derren's performed on TV will be disappointed however.
What he actually provides is an outline of the techniques he's researched (in great detail), and an overview of how conjurors use techniques.
Joining 'A' to 'B' is left as an excercise for the thoughtful reader.
To get benefit from this book, you need to read it rather carefully.
I think this is entirely deliberate on Brown's part.
2008-06-04
By Jason Vale, England
I was a huge fan of Derren Brown before I read the book and now perhaps an even bigger one. His command of the English language is to be admired (although there was one use of the C word which was, I feel, completely unnecessary). Although the first few chapters are hard to get through the rest is a gem. I didn't agree with all he said, especially his view on 'all science is fact and everything else is rubbish'. But we are all entitled to our opinion and quite frankly the man is simply incredible. Well done Derren, great book, great TV show and great entertainment - you have clearly worked hard for years and its paid off. GET THE BOOK - IT'S WONDERFUL!
2008-06-14
By Peter Wade, Colchester England
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.
2008-06-19
By Mr. S. T. Parry, UK
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
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