How to Be a Mentalist: Master the Secrets Behind the Hit TV Show

by Simon Winthrop

A renowned stage magician reveals the secrets of The Mentalist 's brainpower.

On the hit television show The Mentalist , protagonist Patrick Jane employs his keen powers of observation and mental acuity to assist the police. Now, noted stage magician Simon Winthrop explains How to Be a Mentalist by revealing how Jane comes to his startlingly accurate conclusions- and also asserts that it's possible for anyone to bring similar skills to bear in their everyday life.

Featuring intellectual and physical exercises, readers will learn how to reach their fullest mental potential by enhancing memory, developing observational abilities, using persuasion, and much more.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2011

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book for the same reason that I bought the book based on the tv show NUMBERS. Because the main character is cool, and I want to be able to do what he does in the show. Simple as that. So according to this book these are the steps I should follow to "learn" how to be like Patrick Jane.

- Breathe! Easy, thats one step down.

- Meditate everyday, and don't forget ot breathe. Got it.

- Listen to what people say and watch how they say it. Ok.

- Dress in an expensive suit and drive anexpensive care so people think I am powerful. If I dont already own these things I am to get credit cards and invest in them. Huh.

- Mirror peoples movements, hypnotis my co-workers, and of course BREATHE.

Thanks asshole. I've never worried much about my autonomous body functions, but you seem to think that I need to be reminded after every "lesson". This book contains nuggets such as "stare at the back of someones head and imagine it getting really HOT" to make someone turn around against their will. Rubbish.

[Kelly Feldcamp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very very very very bad book...I don't think I'll finish reading it.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why I stuck with this book for more than 40 pages. It was just dreadful.

[Kati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Celkově zklamání. Jako hrubý náčrt toho, co znamená být mentalista, možná. Jako příručka k tomu, jak se stát mentalistou, tedy rozhodně ne. Na můj vkus byla až příliš velká část věnovaná meditaci a pak také hypnóze. Nějak si neumím představit, že bych se na základě této knihy učila hypnotizovat ostatní. Myslím, že by to skončilo tak akorát ránou do ciferníku.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

On developing five more toxic traits would be a much more appropriate title… Nevertheless some useful tips in there.

[Daniel Nobre · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing new under the sun. I find this book truly amazing. There are thousands of books about this kind of mentalist/ sherlock holmes like approach to dailylife. If you are a beginner to this kind of attentive sherlokian approach to life I highly recomend this book, and even if you are like me and already read a lot of things on the matter I still think that you could benefit from this book.

Some points that I think that is important to adress:
1. This is the basis, you need to dig deeper: It's important to keep reading about body language, microexpressions, hypnosis and coldreading. You need to read and practice a lot to acquire Patrick Jane's skills.
2. Although micro-expressions are universal and many key elements are universal too, it is important to apply this knowledge according with your cultural context and situation. (Certain body language signs are not universal and coldreading needs to be adapted to your subject).
3. Eye cues are not cientifically proven: Like all NLP techniques, they are not cientifically proven, specially eye cues, there is not enough research on the matter. So this is a warning that even if the person look to a certain direction, that might not be a sign.

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of how to become a mentalist but there is no new principles in the book. It was just a collection of norm meditate, focus, be quiet and everything. The knowledge of this book can be found in everyday article. Disappointed. Should have fixed the first few pages because it actually gives very negative impression of the book. Half-way is quite decent and interesting though.

[Lukáš Konečný]

Jistě znáte oblíbený seriál Mentalista s Patrikem Janem v hlavní roli, který oslňuje přesnými dedukcemi a analýzami. Kniha Simona Winthropa vás pomůže odhalit tajemství, jak to dělá, a poradí vám, jak se to také naučit.

[Nicholas Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really gets you to thinking,which made it really interesting because the book would give you memory tricks that would actually work. For example the memory palace trick where you would try to associate things with a specific room that can already remember. Then you picture the thing you want to remember in the room. The book teaches a bunch of tricks like that such as how people's eyes dilate when they see something that they want of that people's attitude can reflect of of what kind of animal they would choose to be.

I would recommend this book if you want to read about tips and skills to thinking like a mentalist, if not then by reading the title you wouldn't want to read it in the first place. What I really liked about the book was how to pay attention to detail and to be observant of your surroundings because I actually thought it was an important skill to learn. But the part I didn't like or didn't understand was the persuasion part of the book because it just seemed so unrealistic to be able to make people do things by manipulating them.

[Nancy Bandusky · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author uses the draw of the "hit tv show" to entice the reader.

While the few aspects related to the Mentalist television show and its character Patrick Jane are interesting, they are few and far between. The author does provide a few key points such as where someone typically looks when recalling a fact versus making up a lie. But the book quickly turns more into power and getting people to do what you want. It also has a section on "tricks" to fool people as if the reader's goal is to become an entertainer.

The author repeats certain aspects so many times I began to wonder if he was trying to lull my conscious mind to sleep but it didn't work. My mind was fully aware that the book didn't live up to the hype.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's a good starter book for people that want to take on a more challenging role as a mentalist. There really is no quick fix to mastering your observational skills, nobody should buy it expecting to be as cunning as Patrick Jane after. But like I said its a good beginners guide and I really liked the book, it had all the relevant information in a easy to read package.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but ultimately flawed in the lack of content.

[Aarthi Ravi]

Interesting

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read