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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.

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

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.

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!

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.