Cold Reading Books

Kooz

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K
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Aug 15, 2007
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Hi guys--looking for a couple of books teaching cold reading. Any suggestions?
 
Careful - at least one person here will recommend The Full Facts Of Cold Reading by Ian Rowland (which you can buy through the JREF site) but the last time I checked it was horrendously expensive. I'm told it's a really good book, but is it worth it?
 
Questioninggeller said:
For what purpose? For magic/mentalism?
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This is the key question. There are innumerable books and resources, but without knowing to what purpose you intend to put them, it is nigh impossible to make a useful recommendation.

It's like someone asking "Can you recommend a good car?"

Well, yes. Yes, I can, but it will likely do you no good without more info to frame the answer.
 
Thanks everyone. The purpose is two-fold. First, I'd just like to be able to do it. I am a VERY amateur magician (perform quick tricks for family and friends--never performed a "show" and never for money), and knowing a few cold-reading techniques would be cool. Second and more importantly, I am an active skeptic--I write a skeptical column and occasionally speak on skepticism. The better I can perform the techniques, the better I can explain them. Obviously I have (like most of you) a basic understanding of it. I would just like a behind the scenes view... Does that help narrow down the possible recommendations?
 
I would just search online for websites dealing with it. I came across more info, for free, than I ever needed. They will tell you all that you need to know to amaze friends and wow your family.
 
Kooz said:
Thanks everyone. The purpose is two-fold. First, I'd just like to be able to do it. I am a VERY amateur magician (perform quick tricks for family and friends--never performed a "show" and never for money), and knowing a few cold-reading techniques would be cool. Second and more importantly, I am an active skeptic--I write a skeptical column and occasionally speak on skepticism. The better I can perform the techniques, the better I can explain them. Obviously I have (like most of you) a basic understanding of it. I would just like a behind the scenes view... Does that help narrow down the possible recommendations?
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Well, Ian Rowland is a magician and a skeptic, and his book is crammed with tips on how to perform a cold reading, right up to how you should treat skeptics! I have found it worth every penny.
 
Kooz said:
Thanks everyone. The purpose is two-fold. First, I'd just like to be able to do it. I am a VERY amateur magician (perform quick tricks for family and friends--never performed a "show" and never for money), and knowing a few cold-reading techniques would be cool. Second and more importantly, I am an active skeptic--I write a skeptical column and occasionally speak on skepticism. The better I can perform the techniques, the better I can explain them. Obviously I have (like most of you) a basic understanding of it. I would just like a behind the scenes view... Does that help narrow down the possible recommendations?
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The books mentioned are decent -- when I went looking a few years back, I hit eBay and searched the book category for "cold reading" and a few related terms; found a few books for very little. I also picked up the Rowland book, which I think is very good, but is pricey new.
 
Ah. From the subject line, I thought maybe you normally warmed books up before you read them.
 
While checking around to see if there was a less expensive copy of Rowland's book out there, I found a cold reading script from Ms. Cleo, the Jamaican psychic who used to clutter up late night TV. (Ebay auction 260481937243)

It's a full 19 pages! Guess you had to do a few days homework before bilking the public.
 
bookitty said:
While checking around to see if there was a less expensive copy of Rowland's book out there, I found a cold reading script from Ms. Cleo, the Jamaican psychic who used to clutter up late night TV. (Ebay auction 260481937243)

It's a full 19 pages! Guess you had to do a few days homework before bilking the public.
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in seeing that script, but its not worth $10 much less $20.

The North Texas Skeptics have a five page Miss Cleo script posted for free.
 
bookitty said:
While checking around to see if there was a less expensive copy of Rowland's book out there, I found a cold reading script from Ms. Cleo, the Jamaican psychic who used to clutter up late night TV. (Ebay auction 260481937243)

It's a full 19 pages! Guess you had to do a few days homework before bilking the public.
Click to expand...

On behalf of my Jamaican-born wife, can I please point out that Ms Cleo is/was a faux Jamaican. Her accent is/was terrible. Thank you. ;)

Her Obeah was pretty weak as well. :rolleyes:
 
Just to round out the list, Peter Huston's "Scams from the Great Beyond" (Paladin Press) has a chapter on cold and warm reading.
 
Gord--Are you just clowning; or are you truly married to "Miss Cleo"?

.....RVM45 :cool::eek::cool:
 
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