Customer Testimonials

“I almost passed on this book, as I’d already read biographies of both men. It wasn’t until my friend, Paul Romhany, told me I had to read ‘Through the Eyes of Hanussen & Messing’ that I ordered it. I’m very glad I did. I’ve read it again twice over the last few days. It’s an incredible book, and one I’ll treasure and refer to often. In this unputdownable book, Helmuth Grunewald discusses the techniques and effects that Hanussen and Messing used, and then explains how they might have done them. He covers contact mind reading, psychic readings, Q & A, and hypnosis, showing how they can all be done without any trickery. I got more than my money’s worth from just one sentence on page 43, but there’s gold in every page. Hanussen and Messing excelled with this material nearly a century ago, and anyone today could profit immensely from the insights in this book.”– Richard Webster

“Possibly the first book that reveals how these historical giants achieved extraordinary psychic abilities. The author passionately argues that some of these abilities were genuine and teaches you how to attain them! Grunewald dedicated years to exploring the minds of these legendary psychics, identifying and reverse-engineering their techniques.”– Erik Jan Hanussen (1889-1933)

“Man should not know the future. Such knowledge can be fatal.”– Wolf Messing (1899-1974)

This book unveils the secrets of some of the most influential figures in psychic and mentalism history. It is not merely a biography; it instructs you on how these feats were accomplished, covering topics such as contact mind reading, Q&A, hypnosis, statistics, suggestions, psychometry, and more. The hardbound book measures 6 x 9 inches and contains 98 pages filled with controversial insights. Grunewald illustrates that Hanussen and Messing truly possessed “real” abilities. While such a claim may seem astonishing, the justifications presented will resonate with mentalists. Remarkably, you too can learn these authentic techniques.

Discover how Hanussen convincingly proved his psychic abilities in a court of law, leading the judge to dismiss the case against him. As a mentalist, imagine facing such a challenging scenario! Grunewald envisioned this project over a decade ago, often seeking inspiration at the graves of Hanussen and Messing to understand how these giants achieved their greatness. This book stands apart and is essential for any serious mentalist or collector. It may transform your perspective on mentalism.

MY THOUGHTS: If you’re a mentalist, you should be familiar with both performers. Their stories would make a captivating film, given the era they lived in and their unique performances. The author presents a compelling argument that mentalism has shifted from genuine mind-reading to a form of psychological jargon that dominates today. By studying Hanussen and Messing, you’ll uncover what true mentalism should embody. This book reveals guarded secrets while offering a refreshing perspective that younger performers will find intriguing.

Grunewald boldly asserts that you don’t need electronic gadgets to perform incredible mentalism, and he is absolutely right. The best mentalists rely on skills rather than gimmicks. Mastering contact mind reading, as both Hanussen and Messing did, can save you money and allow you to perform anywhere. The Q&A section in this book is among the finest I’ve encountered.

This book teaches you the real secrets behind these legendary performers, focusing on their acting skills, stage presence, and the narratives surrounding them. You’ll learn the essence of effective hypnotism, with the author encouraging a deeper exploration of its meaning. I appreciate this quote from the book: “Get training and then practice, practice, practice! Read as much as you can and become an expert. This is one of the steps to become a real mentalist.” The pursuit of becoming a genuine mentalist is the book’s central theme, making it a refreshing read.

Both Hanussen and Messing were exceptional hypnotists. While Hanussen often referenced hypnotism, Messing utilized its principles without explicitly mentioning it. There is so much to learn from this book, which is priced for serious students or performers seeking something unique. It has the potential to inspire readers to reconsider what mentalism was and what it could become again. Many contemporary mentalists claim to lack psychic abilities, relying instead on psychological methods. I love this line from the chapter on READINGS: “In my opinion, it makes no sense to give readings unless your name is Hannibal Lecter or Sherlock Holmes.” This book has revitalized my understanding of mentalism, and I hope someone takes this knowledge and innovates, as it could easily become something ‘new’ for a generation accustomed to knowing how things are done. It has also sparked my interest in both of these iconic performers, leading me to seek out more information.

– Paul Romhany