Pages: 180 (large size)
Price: $35. Worth three times that amount.
To order: Get it from Rick himself at www.deceptionsunlimited.com or call him in the USA (412-823-4323). Not my book. Not published by me. Not available from this website.

Probably the first magic book in history which offers too much value for money, this fine, beautiful and deeply satisfying book deserves the 'must buy' tag and evey other cliché I can pack into this page. Let's start with a question: why do you buy a book on mentalism?

(1) You want great, smart "knock 'em dead" tricks you can use? This is the book for you. Smart twists on old themes... tick! Crafty, clever, sly oh-my-God-that's neat stuff... tick! Wickedly deceptive 'fry their brains sideways' flashes of top-rank ingenuity... tick! Simple, straightforward notions so simple and straightforward you'd never actually think of them... tick!

(2) You want some smart, sound thinking about presentational points? Plenty of that too, and - hurrah! - all based on real experience standing up in front of paying customers. Stuff that really will stimulate some fresh thinking, and maybe a healthy re-vamp of your own style. I don't think Rick could write an impractical, hazy, mis-guided piece of advice if he tried.

(3) You want good production values, a book that will grace your shelf and not look like the dog found it? This is a very nice book.

(4) You want good writing, with a nice, readable, chatty style that explains the stuff clearly? Rick's the man, this is the book.

(5) You want pictures of sexy, good-looking women in neat outfits? Yep, this book contains delights of this ilk (name of Spidella, apparently).

So, what else can I tell you? I may as well get a key point out of the way. Rick Maue, the author of this fine gem of a book, is into what is commonly called 'Bizarre Magic' Do not stop reading! Carry on...

You know, and I know, and Rick knows, that a lot of so-called 'bizarre' magic is toe-curlingly dreadful. You know, and I know, and Rick knows, that much of it resembles an amateur production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in which some dumb tricks are slaughtered on the altar of self-deluded ambition. But fear not, and let me share two important things.

First important thing to share: Rick and his team actually do this sort of thing very well, in an intelligent, enjoyable and skilful way. There are some nice sections in the book showing just how well he presents this kind of material.

Second important thing to share: even if you despise 'bizarre' magic with a passion, this is still a brilliant must-have book. All the materal represents a marriage of quality thinking and sound, practical experience. You don't like the 'bizarre' presentation? Fine. Ditch it. Dress the tricks up some other way. Rick is first to admit that's what many of you will do, and he's got no problem with it. A great routine is a great routine, whichever presentational flavour you adopt. (Of course, if you actually like 'bizarre' themes, this right here is your BIBLE.)

One highlight of the book is Terasabos. Everyone who buys this book loves Terasabos. Basically, spec hides small object under 1 of 5 cups, and you turn around and 'divine' which one. Okay, now think of the cleverest, most deceptive, most brain-meltingly ingenious way of achieving this effect, then double it, and you might get close to Terasabos. If you love mentalism at all, then you need to read Rick's Terasabos routine (and the whole item is beautifully explained, by the way, with typical Maue clarity and instructional elegance). Just to spoil you rotten, later in the book Rick offers another version of the Terasabos effect, which is also very good. And then... later on... a third variation! And that's pretty good too!

What else do you get? Intersection, an utterly cute prediction idea that must have, oh, a few gazillion uses for anyone who likes predicting unpredictable audience choices. Predetermined, a neatly spooky idea in which a thought of selection vanishes as a prelude to... a surprise twist! Tocapadmo, a smart utility move which is fun to play with, and a very practical way to make writing appear out of nowhere. The Inside-Out Book Test, which is pretty well what the title implies. Spectrum, a very attractive routine based on a sequence of colours. Voodoo, a frighteningly strong effect about thoughts, choices and blood (good combo!). Unbreakable Bond, a beautiful plot which I loved as soon as I read it, and immediately wished no-one knew about it but me. Plus more good stuff you'll discover for yourself when you buy it.

I could go on and on, but I won't. All told, there are about 50 routines, tricks, essays, thoughts and inspired notions. And you get photos of Spidella.

It's a great book, it's well-written, and you'll find lots of useful stuff in it. It's also insane value for money. I'm not sure what was going on when Rick decided to let this go for 35 dollars. Maybe someone had just dropped a piano on his head or something. Whatever, it's worth one heck of a lot more. So now that I've told you all about it, you're waiting for... what, exactly?

Please do not write asking me anything else about this item. The author didn't ask me to advertise it, this is not a paid-for advert, and I make no money out of this book. I don't wish to deal with 6 questions a day about something I make no money out of.