- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Ian Rowland Limited; 4th Revised edition edition (2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0955847605
- ISBN-13: 978-0955847608
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 217,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
 Trade In this Item for up to £20.95
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Persuasive Psychological Technique in the World: A Comprehensive Guide to the ... Manipulation Technique in the World for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £20.95, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Product details |
Product Description
Review
The definitive work, and long overdue. Has many applications to mind magic, close-up, and any inter-active performance. --Derren Brown
A superb book, relentlessly intelligent and fiercely methodical! Its pages systematically unravel every deceptive strategy of thinking and rhetoric in 'psychic' character reading. --Teller (of 'Penn & Teller')
We've received many inquiries about how more detailed information on the art of 'cold reading' can be obtained. Here is the definitive answer to that question. Our friend Ian Rowland, in the UK, is probably the world's leading authority on the subject, and his book, 'The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading' is now available. No other book I know of will provide this information. Every aspect of this art that I can think of, is represented here in detail, and it provided me with additional information I simply did not have. Highly recommended! --James Randi, James Randi Educational Foundation
A superb book, relentlessly intelligent and fiercely methodical! Its pages systematically unravel every deceptive strategy of thinking and rhetoric in 'psychic' character reading. --Teller (of 'Penn & Teller')
We've received many inquiries about how more detailed information on the art of 'cold reading' can be obtained. Here is the definitive answer to that question. Our friend Ian Rowland, in the UK, is probably the world's leading authority on the subject, and his book, 'The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading' is now available. No other book I know of will provide this information. Every aspect of this art that I can think of, is represented here in detail, and it provided me with additional information I simply did not have. Highly recommended! --James Randi, James Randi Educational Foundation
Product Description
A comprehensive guide to the world's most persuasive communication psychology technique, as applied to psychic readings and some related fields. This book has already sold tens of thousands of copies around the world, without a single penny spent on advertising or promotion. (Has only been available via Amazon for a short time). Although it chiefly describes cold reading mainly in the context of fake psychic readings, the book has a final chapter showing how some of the same techniques can apply to other contexts, such as selling, negotiation, business and even criminal interrogation!
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a well-written guide to the tecchniques used in "Cold reading", the process by which psychics, mediums and other performers appear to read their subjects' minds. It seems to be intended both as a manual to teach the techniques to its readers, and a guide to debunking the claims of "real" psychics who charge for consultations. I thought it did both well.
I found it to be clearly written and logically laid out; it's comfortable and interesting enough to read all the way through as a complete text, but the layout still makes it easy to dip into if you're looking for something specific.
I read it from the perspective of wanting to learn how cold reading works, with a view to trying it as part of a show. I feel I learned a lot and have successfully used some of the techniques the book describes, much to the bafflement of some friends and a few strangers in pubs!
The author also spends some time examining the techniques used by professional mediums and psychics who claim that their powers are real and charge for consultations. This section of the book would be a fantastic place to direct any of your friends who are drawn in to this nonsense, as it explains clearly how they're being manipulated and how to spot the weak points in their favourite psychic's performance.
The book is quite pricey, but worth the money in my opinion. I've never found another book that covers this subject anywhere near as completely or clearly as this one.
I found it to be clearly written and logically laid out; it's comfortable and interesting enough to read all the way through as a complete text, but the layout still makes it easy to dip into if you're looking for something specific.
I read it from the perspective of wanting to learn how cold reading works, with a view to trying it as part of a show. I feel I learned a lot and have successfully used some of the techniques the book describes, much to the bafflement of some friends and a few strangers in pubs!
The author also spends some time examining the techniques used by professional mediums and psychics who claim that their powers are real and charge for consultations. This section of the book would be a fantastic place to direct any of your friends who are drawn in to this nonsense, as it explains clearly how they're being manipulated and how to spot the weak points in their favourite psychic's performance.
The book is quite pricey, but worth the money in my opinion. I've never found another book that covers this subject anywhere near as completely or clearly as this one.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is an excellent introduction to the techniques used by fake psychics and palm readers. Good level of detail and some real-life examples. I would have preferred a little more coverage on the scenarios where apparently specific details are provided, but overall well worth a read.
I would advise buying it directly from the author's own website though, it's half the price there.
I would advise buying it directly from the author's own website though, it's half the price there.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is simply the best "how to" guide I have ever read. Ian Rowland systematically set out the theory and practice of how to convince strangers that, through supernatural powers, you have insight into their lives.
He is not (quite) saying that there are no genuine psychics. What he is clearly saying is that the astonishing abilities often demonstrated in readings can be achieved by humans with knowledge, skill and practice. He leaves it to the reader to reach their own conclusion on whether this multi-billion pound industry, which targets the most emotionally vulnerable, is full of well meaning charlatans, exploitative liars and fraudsters without conscience.
The book is well structured but is no text-book - his conversational style makes it an easy read. "Section 2: How Cold Reading Works" is the heart of the book. The approaches are set out with colourful names (Rainbow Ruses, Barnum Statements, Pollyanna Pearls, Sugar Lumps to name just a few) and with illustrations to make them their usage clear.
Through real life examples he then shows how techniques that seem cold and obvious on the page can be made warm and convincing when delivered in a face-to-face encounter.
If a newspaper article or tv program has made you curious about cold reading, this is the book to buy. If you have had a powerful psychic reading, and you are torn as to whether you believe it or not, this book gives you the tools to think rationally about what you have experienced, and could help you make a judgment that is informed. For everyone else I just recommend it as a great read.
Do shop around for this book, as it is pricey. However, even at the list price, it is less than the cost of one visit to a psychic and, in my view at least, will leave you very much better informed.
He is not (quite) saying that there are no genuine psychics. What he is clearly saying is that the astonishing abilities often demonstrated in readings can be achieved by humans with knowledge, skill and practice. He leaves it to the reader to reach their own conclusion on whether this multi-billion pound industry, which targets the most emotionally vulnerable, is full of well meaning charlatans, exploitative liars and fraudsters without conscience.
The book is well structured but is no text-book - his conversational style makes it an easy read. "Section 2: How Cold Reading Works" is the heart of the book. The approaches are set out with colourful names (Rainbow Ruses, Barnum Statements, Pollyanna Pearls, Sugar Lumps to name just a few) and with illustrations to make them their usage clear.
Through real life examples he then shows how techniques that seem cold and obvious on the page can be made warm and convincing when delivered in a face-to-face encounter.
If a newspaper article or tv program has made you curious about cold reading, this is the book to buy. If you have had a powerful psychic reading, and you are torn as to whether you believe it or not, this book gives you the tools to think rationally about what you have experienced, and could help you make a judgment that is informed. For everyone else I just recommend it as a great read.
Do shop around for this book, as it is pricey. However, even at the list price, it is less than the cost of one visit to a psychic and, in my view at least, will leave you very much better informed.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Cold Reading Bible
This is simply the best book on Cold Reading - Ever! If you haven't got it - get it. You really won't be disappointed.
Published 6 months ago by Phil The Bear
Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
The book is very illuminating and entertaining, but my copy had many pages that bled through, and started to disintegrate -- pages simply dropped out of the binding -- almost... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jon A. Pastor
The most comprehensive con of our time exposed!
Before I begin in my review I'll quickly state for the record that I do not know for sure if real mediums or psychics exist, in fact no one can make that claim. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Paul Stevens
A fabulous book that holds nothing back
This is a book I have read and re-read. It is absolutely packed with fascinating information that reveals... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. D. Mcadam
A Fantastic Read
As a Hypnotist I'm quite interested in all things a bit weird & wacky. I am a true sceptic just like the auther but I really wanted to know how these people who claim they can see... Read more
Published 15 months ago by J. O'GOAN
First rate debunker of myths
I stumbled upon this book a while ago and I was really surprised. I didn't know that such a book existed. It was a revelation. Read more
Published 16 months ago by vincent ryan
A Parapsycologist View
If you have ever been to see a so called Physic, this Book will help you to find out if indeed they are using Cold Reading. Read more
Published 18 months ago by JOHN GREEN
A Very Interesting Read
What this book does, is make no direct claims about whether true Psychic abilities exist or do not exist. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sean O'Reilly
The Definitive Guide
I have met Ian and been on his Applied Cold Reading Course down in London and this book is a pre-read for that course. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by Michael Scott
excellent book.
the only reason i didn't give this book 5* is the price. Very well written. A must-have for any budding mentalists or scam artists out there. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Barry O' Leary
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
