The dance

by Brad Henderson

One of the best books written on the craft of cold reading, or the dance between reader & read.
The dance is not for those wanting a how to book, but a book of why you do it.
Originally published as a hardback in 2003 & soft back was published in 2011.

Genres: Magic

98 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rich Rosell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this on a recommendation as one of the great books on cold reading. It's barely 100 pages, but that does not mean what's between the covers is skimpy. This one has a lot of great info, but it's not so much a "how to" as a "how to do it right", with Henderson providing detailed discussion on the importance of the reader/sitter relationship - and ways to anchor that connection so that it works for everyone involved.

This is a very smart, well-written manual for those involved in cold reading.

Recommended.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at around the same time as I was starting to develop myself as a reader & would not recommend this book for anyone who is not interested in the performance of giving readings.
There are many many books out there designed to sell you the ultimate how to do a cold reading. Almost all of them are a waste of money, as the best method is to learn palm or tarot reading & then do it.
Cold reading is a two minute throw away act. Giving a meaningful reading is an art, that involves being instep with your client & making them feel at the centre of your universe for the time you are together.

[Oliver Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent essays about cold reading approaches and philosophies. It's not about a method so much as how to present and think about using any method.