Unreal (Book)

Book by Bruce Bernstein
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Unreal (Book) - image 1
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Price: £59.75£59.75
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After being unavailable for years, Bruce Bernstein’s seminal book Unreal is finally back in print

This stunning deluxe foil-stamped hardcover book is the ultimate showcase of Bruce’s finest work from more than three decades of creating and refining some of the most innovative mentalism we’ve ever seen. You’ll quickly discover why some of the greatest mind-readers in recent history trust Bruce when they need to develop something truly special.

Unreal features more than 240 pages of devious ideas and routines. You’ll learn inexplicable feats of thought reading, predictions, psychometry, utility techniques for obtaining secret information, cold reading scripts and techniques, and more. 10 thought-provoking essays have also been written exclusively for the book.

There’s something for everyone like “Eat at Joes”, which is widely considered to be of the most commercial mentalism routines ever created. This is the effect you will rely on when you really need to make a lasting impact. Multiple envelopes are fairly mixed before being opened to reveal each one contains a letter that now spells out a special message.

You’ll also enjoy essential techniques like the “Bernstein Center Tear”, as well as Bernstein’s take on mental magic with cards with “Psych-Out”, a revelatory mentalism approach to the 10-card poker deal. Everything is written in a familiar, captivating style accompanied by expert illustrations by Tony Dunn.

These mental mysteries often only require basic props from slips of paper to money and playing cards. They’re also well within the range of the average mentalist. No complicated sleight–of–hand or complex technology is required. That being said, some of the techniques are quite bold and will take a healthy dose of chutzpah.

Simply put, Unreal by Bruce Bernstein was written for workers by a worker. It is essential reading for any mentalist or wonder performer. Don’t miss your chance to grab a copy.

Deluxe Foil-Stamped Hardcover | 242 Pages | Black-and-White Illustrations | Introduction by Jon Stetson

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Customer reviews for Unreal (Book)

Mark
Sensational. Admittedly, despite not knowing any Bernstein material (at least not knowingly) in over 20 years of magic and mentalism study, I decided to pick up this book. I avoided the center tear for the reason of lack of justification in all that time- not anymore. I avoided Curry’s swindle switch for fear of it being too obvious- not anymore. This book feels like a modernized version of 13 Steps only with fresh and even more thought provoking material.
The book is quite thin and I thought I was going to be finished in a couple days. It’s about 3 weeks later I’m only half way through, solely because the material is so good that I literally have to digest and ponder every time I sit down to read it. Already worth the price.
Kudos to Mr. Bernstein for the incredible material and to Vanishinginc for putting it back in print.
Matthew
For a thin book, this is dense. Every routine is packed with thought-provoking ideas and methods that you'll want to incorporate into your repertoire. It's a shame feels the need to repeatedly tell you how good so many of the routines are before (sometimes during and after too) describing them. I wish the author's editorial skills were as developed as his self-belief. Mistakes are littered throughout the text, which is a shame for such a beautifully bound volume.
Gerhard
Uhm I am a bit I two minds about this book. I am not really a mentalist but some of the methods just sprang to mind reading the effect and when in turns out to be the method I was a bit dissapointed. I would consider myself and informed layman when it comes to mentalism and some of the methods I find too obvious and layman might too. The editing could be improved. Was just ok for me.
Terry
I was overjoyed to see this book once again available. Though some have said that it was a slim volume, at 240 pages it is plenty big in my view. What's more, the book is dense with ideas, routines, and sage advice. Bruce Bernstein is a thoughtful, very inventive, and complete writer of magic and mentalism.

In every entry, you will find a complete explanation of the routine and why those things matter. His in-depth discussions on the matter at hand are worth reading and rereading even if the routine is not for you. I appreciate that, especially when reading other books that describe the effect, tells you how to do it and then closes the door on further insight or ideas.

The illustrations are well done and helpful.

I bought the book for a single routine, "The Ritual". The basic effect is not complicated, but it covered several pages of important aspects of said routine as well as what to avoid when performing it. I learned from his mistakes. Thank you, Bruce.

If you're just a "secret collector," this book may not be for you. If you want to dive deep into a routine and view it from many perspectives, you will love this. It deserves to be read, distilled, and considered wisely.

Recommended.
Bill
This is an excellent book a bit pricy I would have been happy at $60. But the material is very strong and Eat at Joe's is the cherry on the top. In fact I liked it enough to purchase a second copy which will remain sealed. I only have one other Bernstein publication "Twenty Effects for Psychic Entertainers" While I my primary interest is Card Magic I often include cold reading, palmistry and numerological patter in my tricks and I often tell a story as I do the trick and reading mental magic often provides me with those advantages. I have worked restaurant, School, street fairs, charity events, birthday party and other events and a touch of mentalism always helps.
Kai
I mean, the book like the title is absolutely Unreal. Bruce Bernstein gives so much insight and thought into some fantastic routines and ideas about mentalism. This book, for me, is up at the top when it comes to performing mentalism, it's just phenomenal. The book might appear slim but it's A4 and absolutely packed from page to page. A must buy from me!