Derren Brown Unauthorised Theories, Methods and Secrets

Magic has a long, inglorious history of magicians exposing other magicians’ secrets. This book continues that sad history. The author claims his intended audience is “people with a desire to learn showmanship [and] looking for a way in to learn the craft themselves.” Oh, please. I can think of a hundred books I’d recommend to a budding magician; this is not one of them.His premise is that he is showing how great a performer Derren Brown is by revealing how Mr. Brown uses simple methods to create astounding performances. This is mere pretense. Look at the title: “Derren Brown Unauthorised Theories, Methods and Secrets.” Not “Derren Brown, Master Showman” or “How Derren Brown Mesmerizes an Audience of Thousands.” Nope. The title announces, “Derren Brown Secrets Revealed Here.”The author, who claims to be a working magician and magic shop proprietor, states he has seen some of Mr. Brown’s live shows and has analyzed them by repeatedly watching DVDs of the performances. He admits that “all the theories and methods discussed cannot be verified to be factual, or confirmed to be the definite methods used.” Some of his guesses are correct; many are not. Further, he reveals the workings of some commercially available magic props created by other people. He has no right whatsoever to reveal these secrets to the public.He concludes with encouraging words to wannabe magicians about making their own shows memorable, and here his advice is good. It’s a shame that he didn’t have enough faith in his own ideas to put them out front rather than bury them in a pointless exposé of someone else’s work.

I enjoyed the insight to the shows Derren Brown puts out. It opened my eyes to a few of the techniques used by him and by others in his industry. The author did a very good job explaining the shows to a non-magician/showman!

This book is viewed from the author who is a magician. The only neg side is he wants you to see various shows as you read the book. The problem is none of Derren's DVD's work in the United States, they are all region 2 . You can find some of the shows that he recommends on YouTube. Other than that I think it was a worthwhile purchase. PM

This book is set up perfectly for understanding. Some of the theories have been proven wrong, but it doesn't make the idea behind them any less valuable to the reader. Watch Derren Brown shows, come up with your own ideas, and then read more of the book and you'll be stunned at both your own theories and the wonderfully-conceived performances in this text.

Exactly as advertised!

Was not really what I was looking for

Excellent book.

I bought this book on a whim and loved it. The author does an amazing job explaining tricks in a way that is clear and his love of the art form shows through. Please Write another book!

This is a fascinating book written by a man who is obviously a competent magician himself. An incredible amount of research must have been done by Steve before the writing of this account. Although the magic is explained, this is not a spoiler, only serving to make the reader even more interested in the performances. I think Derren Brown will approve!

The author has seen most of Derren Brown's shows live and is a working magician himself. He describes each show in detail concentrating on the performance and showmanship rather than revealing the secrets, although a fair few that are commonly used by amateur conjurers are described in detail. A fascinating book and well written.

An interesting read that won’t really add knowledge to anyone interested in big illusion/mentalist magic

I enjoyed this book. I did feel I was cheating my favourite performer but found it has ignited a greater respect for the act as a whole

very informative