Snake Oil: Life's Calculations, Misdirections, and Manipulations

by Jim Rose

The gyp, hoodwink, shuck, sandbag: An art form that has been passed down through generations of hustlers, con men, and freaks. Selling snake oil is the ultimate con, and readers will find within these pages everything from classic deceptions to the most recent of ruses. From fooling your friends to dangerous stage stunts, Jim Rose, snake oil salesman extraordinaire, provides new angles to old tricks. Those who dare to explore these pages will find themselves enticed by this special brand of snake oil. Step right up: it's all here. There's nothing it won't cure!

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hoped this would be an autobiography, however it was actually a very comprehensive list of magic tricks, illusions and scams that Jim has learnt over the years and the secrets behind them. A lot of them I knew, a lot I didn’t until now. There is a disappointing part where he explains a few ways to get away with drink/drug driving but other than that it’s quite interesting on the whole

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun run through scams and fairground tricks..some which frankly went over my head but a few parlour tricks that may come useful to practice over lockdown....

[Steven W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read much better books on tricks and cons. With a name like Jim Rose, I was pretty disappointed.

[Old-Barbarossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assorted scams and cons explained briefly.
You may have seen these scattered through other texts, but now all in one handy book. More a primer than a textbook, points you in the right direction for some stuff.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love watching Jim Rose on stage and miss his sideshow, but this is pretty much just some half-assed anecdotes trying really hard to be a book. A few are amusing, but I'd recommend sticking to Freak Like Me and Penn & Teller.

[Karyn Crouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

could've really benefit from some pictures and a bibliography