This post contains affiliate links.
If you are looking to know whether Tony Corinda's 13 Steps To Mentalism actually works, then you’ve just arrived at the best place. Many of us, fascinated by the power of mentalism, would go to any extent to unveil all the mysteries and secrets behind it.
I am sure you are thinking that this book might help with that, in this article I will share how this book can help you with mentalism. You'll get the gist of the book and will be able to see whether it’s really worth making the purchase or not.
So let’s dive into the review…
13 Steps To Mentalism Review Summary
| Product Name | 13 Steps to Mentalism |
| Author | Tony Corinda |
| Price | Depends on your location |
| Best Place to Buy | Amazon |
| Verdict | Legit |
What is 13 Steps to Mentalism?
Well, as the name suggests, it is a book that reveals the 13 most mysterious mentalism tricks that most people haven’t gotten the hang of. These tricks involve card tricks, blindfolds and x-rays, mediumistic stunts, predictions, and publicity stunts among many others.
While there are only 13 tricks, these tricks can be a foundation for many others and will help you get started. So you can rest assured that if you are serious and determined to learn mentalism, this book is for you .
Tony Corinda
The great mind behind this amazing authorship is Tony Corinda. He was on of the greatest in his time.
He was well known for selling magic tricks and illusions guides but more specifically the mentalism approach to the people in the United Kingdom, where he spent most of his life. After gathering a fair amount of success and fame with that, he went on to Oxford Street in London and bought a magic shop which was run by another great brain, Dick Chavel.
In 1958, he started writing a series of books, The Steps to Mentalism, thirteen of them, which have now been compiled into one book.
So let’s catch a quick glimpse of the 13 sections.
1. The Swami Gimmick
The swami gimmick has been divided into 3 sections, the Tricks, Types, and Techniques.
He does a deep dive into each so you can gain an understanding, put each into practice with the exact kinds of cards you should be using.
Although things like these gimmicks have evolved since the publication of this book, the concept behind them remains the same and provides a great foundation for mentalism.
2. Pencil, Lip, Touch, Sound and Reading Muscles
Here, Tony discusses five aspects. He goes ahead to describe the perfect time to do each of them, the best-recommended conditions and the bad ones as well, and the best positions which you should leverage.
He strongly encourages the readers to give their full attention and practice these techniques even when it does not come naturally. Many will give up if they do not immediately understand.
After you have an understand and are ready for further learning, he then gives special effects to complement each of the sections.
3. Mnemonics and Mental Systems
Here, Tony talks about where mental systems got their roots and how the ancient Greeks went about using them. Then he gives you the basics of the mental systems you need to get clear in your mind before attempting any of them.
He shows you how to handle magic squares and brilliant chess effects, just to list a few. By the time you are through with this section, you should be able to have insight that is almost similar to Jonathan Hancock and his fellows.
4. Predictions
With this section playing a higher role in mentalism, he stresses that a great mentalist should be able to make good predictions that are accurate. To do that, he tackles the Drawing Room and other brilliant ones like switches, indexes, envelopes, and forces.
5. Blindfolds and X-rays
Here, he unfolds the mystery behind blindfolds and helps you get the best genuine blindfolds, the method and idea of each trick you use with them.
6. Billets
Most mentalists have titled this an outdated tactic, but almost all the ancient mentalists will agree that it is a crucial section of mentalism.
Tony explains how it is misunderstood, why it is done, and why it should be highly regarded. From there, he gives a good starting point for newbies and how to go on with their development.
7. Book Tests and Fogel Interview
Tony embraces the idea of book tests since they are a perfect way to keep your skills in check. Here, he shows you how to make use of dice, magazines, slates, and cards.
Then he gives you an interview with the famous, during his days, Maurice Fogel. This is one of the best parts of the book.
8. Two Person Telepathy
Although Tony has always loved to work all by himself, he outlines a perfect application of telepathy methods and tactics that can work best for two people.
Here, you will learn more about the alphabets, numbers, colors, and alphabets amongst others that you need to grasp as you tackle this.
9. Mediumistic Stunts
He stresses the importance of setting up the right atmosphere and using the best development of your speech. Although he cautions people against some misleading books, he says that reading them may prove to be useful to some certain extent.
From there, he addresses the known, Befriended Art (Allied) of Mentalism and gives great insight.
10. Card Tricks
Although many people argue that Tony has really given much weight to card tricks, he personally says that he takes this aspect with so much respect. This section provides good beginners’ training.
11. Question and Answer
This will serve best for advanced mentalists. To be a successful mentalist you will need to have great confidence. Tony shares with you quite a number of smooth strategies like gimmicks, inferring information, and having advanced knowledge to help you practice with confidence.
He also gives basic information on cold reading, something that may be useful to you in the future.
12. Publicity Stunts
Much of this aspect is dedicated to publicity. Tony notes that most people serving as the audience don’t really pay too much attention and focus, and so with that to take advantage of, he helps you know how to use various cards with this in mind.
And he actually approves of the trick, “Sit in a Box Over the Thames”.
13. Patter and Presentation
If you’ve noticed, among others aspects, he has given so much of this book to patter and presentation.
And here, he talks even much more about misleading speech, mode of dressing, gimmicks, and others important things you need to keep your eye on as you stage your performance.
He then sums up the book with yet another interview with Claude Chandler who was the vice president of London Magic, at that particular time. They both add in some few profound tips on presentation.
Who Is It For?
This book is going to work great for newbies and intermediate mentalists. The better part of it is given to getting to understand the history of each aspect of mentalism and then getting a basic introduction to each.
But for the intermediates, you are going to get a good grasp of some of the mentalism basics as well as a good clear path to getting even deeper into this lucrative hobby.
For the greatly advanced mentalists, you are going to want to get another resource, since much of what has been discussed here, you may already know.
Pro’s and Con’s:
The Good
1). Well Instructed and Described
Tony shows great interpersonal skills that really make things clear on how mentalists do their thing. Without giving away any secret, all the gimmicks are well instructed and described.
2). Tony Knows What He is Doing
Tony has had major success in mentalism and was recognized among the best mentalists during his time. So what he teaches here, if practiced well, can bring a huge measure of success, as it brought him.
Although things have changed since the time he passed away, the basic concept behind all the advancement can be attributed to what he teaches. Everything revolves around the same principles given in the book.
3). Newbies Friendly
Complete newbies are going to benefit hugely from this book, as it gives the history of every aspect, how it had contributed to the way they have been used and are still being used.
So by the time, you as the newbie, are done the reading, you should be able to have a good grounding in it.
4). Everything is Timeless
The value and insight given in the book will never get outdated.
Although the gimmicks might change in their profession, the basic working principles still remain the same, so you will never have to buy another book to get more information once this has become ‘outdated’.
The Bad
1). Limited for Advanced Mentalists
Although Tony has covered almost everything that people need to know about mentalism, there still some advanced things that he hasn’t delved into.
This is what makes the book unfit for highly advanced mentalists.
2). Best for Mentalists Only
This book will work great for mentalists only and to some limited extent, telepaths and mediums.
If you are looking to know about illusions, psychokinesis and other forms of magic and divinity, you would get limited material here.
Final Verdict:
This book is wonderful. It was published decades ago but its value still remain intact and helpful through the ages.
This book is well-packed to inspire. It is worth adding it to your mentalism book list, reading and putting all the knowledge you get into practice.
Have you read this book? How did you find the value there? Have you got any thoughts or suggestions on it? Would you recommend it to other people? Leave all your comments, thoughts and suggestions below.
Want a more insightful mentalism program? Looking for other aspects of magic? Want twice the value that this book offers? Then come and check out my #1 recommendation.
