This page and the next lists some of the comments I have received from audiences, TV producers, scientists, skeptics, believers, executives, housewives, students, senior citizens, fellow magicians and mindreaders and others who have seen me work.
See also > What People Say (2)

"Of the hundred plus lectures and shows we have hosted at Caltech none have brought more enthusiastic praise than Ian’s performance. I have now heard from dozens of people in the audience, all of whom said this was one of the most entertaining, informative, and above all FUNNY shows they had ever seen. Ian is to be congratulated for breathing so much life and class into the science and skeptics community." - Michael Shermer, Director, Skeptics Society

"Thank you once again for coming along to speak to us last week. It really was a spectacular evening. I was chatting to people after the meeting and we all agreed that it was an extraordinary occasion. I must admit to being completely baffled by your demonstrations. Again and again the seemingly impossible was performed before our eyes. The spoon bending and tarot card reading, not to mention the 'faith healing' were all pretty staggering to watch" - Oxford University Scientific Society

"Ian brings people together in a way that is uniquely his own. He is thoughtful and generous in a way I have never known with anyone else - both with his gifts, and sharing his considerable skills in social settings, but also with his concern for individuals and their welfare. He once spent an entire evening using his persuasive and motivational skills to convince a friend to stop smoking; another time he took a friend through a process of kind and spirited self-examination (in the Socratic sense, of an unexamined life not being worth living), in order to help her make sense of her life at a difficult time. Ian wants people to develop their potential, to follow their path, to be themselves in the best way they can be, and he's never afraid to communicate this. And unlike some motivators or self-help life coaches, he's never boring - one of the great joys of being with Ian is his sense of humour and superb wit." - Kate Saunders, author

'"Ian Rowland has apparently read my mind three times in the last hour. But he isn't a psychic, and his effects are related not to the supernatural but to years of research. There are two sides to the coin though. 'The power of the mind can't help you bend metal by stroking it or divine your life from tarot cards. On the other hand, there are things that people don't think the mind can do which it can: ways of improving your confidence or your memory which are perfectly genuine. Rowland himself has the plausible charisma of someone who has read all the self-improvement gurus out of interest rather than necessity.' - Duncan Steer The Independent, 'Outside Edge' column

"Ian Rowland is unique in that he not only knows how the flim-flam is done, he also does it very well, himself. I suspect that it's his constant appearance before audiences all over the world, that hones his skill and knowledge of this most complicated and subtle art; experience is always the best teacher. Rowland has no peer in what he does. I'm not often in awe of a friend; I make an exception in this case.” - James Randi

"Dear Mr. Rowland, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for a delightful and thought-provoking evening that ranked among the best presentations we've hosted. It's not often that we, a group of science professors and students, are so deeply impressed by the professional demeanor and expertise of a speaker that we sit in silent awe, swept away and into his fascinating experiences. We watched your performance with the greatest respect for your irresistible charm and your flawless skill in the arts of illusion. Many of us secretly wished we could emulate the captivating presence you held on stage in our own classroom teaching. It was a privilege for me to have you share your rich insights into the psychology and practice of deception. Your work is incredibly important, not only in exposing charlatans and educating their would-be victims, but also in helping us avoid the many self-delusions which accompany our lives." - Nick Gessler, University of California, Los Angeles

"Your performance was of outstanding educational value, and taught some lessons that will stay with the audience for the rest of their lives: at the same time it was extraordinarily funny and entertaining. A packed house loved every minute, and it was the major topic of conversation for days afterwards. I wish deep learning was always this much fun!" - John McLachlan, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological and Medical Sciences, University of St Andrews

"Ian Rowland claims to do more or less the same things [that psychics do] - using trickery, mind games and the not-so-mystical science of cold reading, a series of psychological techniques which can glean information. Ian spent 20 minutes with Cecile and left a marked impression. 'Wow! That was a bit near to the bone,' she says. 'He was scary, but it was pretty amazing what he knew. I don't know how he does it but it's a dangerous power to have.' " - Liam Rudden, Edinburgh Evening News

"Thoroughly enjoyable... a fascinating display of deceptive arts applied to the forgery of psychic phenomena" - Dr. Nick Humphrey, Senior Research Fellow in Parapsychology, Darwin College, Cambridge

"Skeptics who do watch commonly accuse Edward [TV medium John Eward] of relying on a classic technique called cold reading: using a host of assumptions, generalizations and subtle manipulations to lead someone into thinking you are 'hitting' many of their private memories. 'People shouldn't concentrate on the hits,' says Ian Rowland, a Brit who has used the methods in his book The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading to pose as a medium. It's amazing how much of Rowland's book mirrors Edward's technique." - Josh Wolk Entertainment Weekly

"Ian - Thanks for your terrific performance. You have a real talent for debunking the nonsense associated with "magic," and "psychic phenomena," while still preserving the drama, mystery, and wonder at the heart of such performances. Your demonstrations of crop circles, psychic surgery, and spoon bending are one of the best and most entertaining antidotes to public gullibility about these things. Keep up the good work. Please let me know next time you are in Los Angeles and we'll set up another performance at UCLA " - Dr. Gregory Stock, Program Director: Science, Technology, and Society, UCLA

"Your talk was a great success. There was lots of spontaneous discussion in the following days. Several boys made a point of finding me to say how much they had enjoyed it: not only was it hugely entertaining, but in addition it encouraged a healthy sense of scepticism. "Don't be gullible" is a valuable message for Sixth Formers to learn, whether the topic is fire walking or insurance salesmen! I will certainly pass on my recommendation to contacts in other schools." - Head of General Studies, Whitgift School

"Thank you so much for coming to talk to us at the Kit Kat Club last night - what a great evening! I have already received a number of calls from members to say how much they enjoyed it. There was a tremendous amount of interest in the subject of your talk. The way you demonstrated each point made it all the more fascinating" - The Kit Kat Club (London social club for women)

“I have the pleasure of knowing Ian in four guises: writer, lecturer, performer, and house guest. In all four he excels and is a pleasure to know. Ian has a rare quality - audiences like him immediately. He doesn't wear out his welcome and easily holds an audience's attention, entertaining them all the way. I've been performing professionally for over 30 years. When I saw the attention to detail that Ian took preparing his ‘Mind Power’ lecture show at Cal Tech I knew I was in for an enjoyable time. He did not disappoint. He was entertaining and authoritative without being pedantic or boring; informative and educational without being stuffy or heavy handed. On any level you'd care to examine, Ian delivered the goods." - David Alexander, magician and author

"On behalf of the Bute Medical Society, I would like to thank you for the talk you gave recently. It was a fabulous evening and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.- President, Bute Medical Society, University of St. Andrews

" 'I am going to give you five techniques that will enable you to remember anything you need to know to pass an exam', promised lecturer Ian Rowland to a fascinated audience of school-children. His techniques are not new, but the scandal is that every child is not taught them from the beginning. On the club circuit Rowland is billed as a Mind Magician. He specialises in doing tricks that seem as if they involve psychic powers - telling fortunes, contacting spirits, bending spoons, telepathy." - Jerome Burne Sunday Telegraph

"What a success! Thank you so much for yesterday - it all worked very well. The feedback from your audience for both occasions has been very good" - Head of General Studies, Eastbourne College

"Many thanks for your visit to the College yesterday. It really was a valuable morning for all of our Upper Sixth and Fifth Form pupils who were present. They will have benefitted enormously from your presentation. What was particularly useful was that instead of just indicating all the problems and pitfalls in the learning process as others have done in the past, you spent a good deal of time giving very practical help and guidance. The feedback I have had from colleagues and pupils alike has been universally good. One member of staff said that the only criticism from his group was that they had not been given the techniques and skills that you teach earlier in their school careers. I very much hope you will be able to come to Eastbourne again in the near future." - Head of History, Eastbourne college

"Thank you for the entertaining and informative show that you gave us earlier this month. I have heard nothing but positive comments from the students regarding the event, the general opinion being that it was the best thing the Psychology Society have organised to date. Not only was the performance skilful and entertaining, I am sure it had considerable educational value. Many of the students were totally at a loss in attempting to explain what they had seen" - Dr. Chris French, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London

"Thank you very much indeed for coming down to Eastbourne to contribute to our Revision seminar. The comments I have had from both staff and pupils are all very positive. I have been encouraging my groups to apply your techniques in their history revision and many have done so. Perhaps I can contact you next year with a view to contributing again" - The Director of Studies, Eastbourne college

"Thankyou for a riveting performance for our upper 6th! It was entertaining and informative! Can I get in touch with you for a repeat performance?" - Head of General Studies, Oundle School

'A showman who puts on demonstrations, he does not just dismiss astrology on rational grounds, he shows how equally impressive results can be obtained using only a knowledge of human nature. He gets results (90% accurate) and is pepared to explain how he does it. 'The more I can build a rapport wth them, the more they respond to my suggestions' " - J Burne, The Observer

"Thanks for the excellent talk on Monday. As always, the Upper 6th found the occasion very entertaining and extremely informative. I've been bombarded with questions about [the things you did ]. It was good to see you again. Another booking next year?" - Head of General Studies, Tonbridge school

> What people say (2)