The Intrepid Rogue’s Manual of Deception

by

Atlas Brookings

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The Intrepid Rogue’s Manual of Deception is a new book by performing mentalist Atlas Brookings and represents his first major work since Train Tracking.

The Manual of Deception is 224 pages long and comprises 8 essays, one switch technique, and 14 effects. While he is known for his propless work, the majority of the material within encompasses some of his work with props. The Hollywood Squares prop also ships with the book.

A brief outline of the contents is included below:

* You’ll Never Find a More Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy…

This essay asks you to take a closer look at your goals within mentalism, encouraging you to use your analytical skills to determine who is best positioned to help you to achieve those goals as you select the path you’d like to follow. It offers a system for cutting through the hype and nonsense that so often surrounds creators and releases and outlines what I think are the four archetypes that we most often see within this subculture.

* Quinnfluence

A propless effect that can be used with a single participant or a crowd of hundreds, people are asked to think of random bits of information which are subsequently easily revealed. This can be played either as mind reading or influence and is a powerful technique that is always available to you.

* Gesticulate

An incredibly simple and deceptive, self-contained one handed billet switch in which the hand not in use never leaves the pocket.

* The Importance of Being Earnest…

An essay that asks you why you are drawn to mentalism and examines the implications for success that your answer may have.

* The Lexi-Con

A compelling three phase routine in which three words are freely chosen by a participant, two from a list and the third an entirely free choice – yet their words are the only words spelled out in a deck of alphabet cards.

* The Subtle Swindle

Formerly the Subtle Hustle (I was informed that this name was already in use elsewhere). An easy and propless means of winning or losing (your choice) at Rock, Paper, Scissors.

* The Untangled Web…

An essay that encourages the performer to consider how their performance is perceived by the audience, asking whether it is best to simplify and streamline presentations, and how to approach such a problem.

* High Five

An example of the principles above put into practice, High Five is a close up effect using five numbered business cards. The participant selects a card at random for both the performer and themselves, and their choices are predicted, as is the five digit number that they create.

* Imbalanced

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