"Thought-Full Telepathy" by Chuck Hickok

[Dick Christian]

Chuck Hickoks latest release Thought-Full Telepathy (softcover, saddlestitched 64 page booklet) is his treatise on the book test. Taking as its basis the Books Galore routine from his best-selling book Mentalism Incorporated (2002), he expands on it by providing his complete script, describing his stage setup and covering all aspects of his book test routine, from soup to nuts including everything from the script, the books (both gimmicked and ungimmicked) and methods he uses to the selection of the audience members chosen to participate, and presentational concepts such as timing and pacing.

In addition he has generously included four essays written since the publication of his Mentalism Incorporated: Volume Two in 2005. They offer insights into his philosophy of mentalism.

For those considering including a book test routine in their performances, Thought-Full Telepathy will give you the necessary tools and advice on how to use them. Although you could present the routine exactly as described by Chuck, the wise performer will use Chucks routine as the starting point for the development of his own. Even the experienced performer who already has a book test routine of his own will find useful information in its 64 pages.

Thought-Full Telepathy is available for $35.00 (including worldwide shipping) from Chuck at www.ChuckHickok.com/tool.html where you will also find his other releases.

[Steve Hook]

Is that the correct link, Dick? Not working here.

[Joe Pecore]

I took a guess and it looks like the correct link is http://www.chuckhickok.com/tools.html

[Dick Christian]

Joe,

That's it.

Steve,

My mistake make that "tools" vice "tool" and it will work. Sorry I missed the typo.

[Steve Hook]

Thank you, Joe and Dick!
- Steve

[RSchostag]

For those who know Chuck Hickok, you already know him as a consumate professional mentalist. You may have seen him perform, you may have been to one of his lectures, you may have one of his already classic books: Mentalism Incoporated and Mentalism Incorporated Two.

Thought-Full Telepathy extends on Chuck's prior work, really getting down into the fine details for presentation of mentalism in general and an "out-of-the-box" routine for doing several brilliant thought reading tests which uses multiple books you can pick up at your local used book shop and multiple audience participants. Of course, this audience involvement is essential in a good mentalism show.

Above, Dick Christian has already pointed out that this release goes into great detail, offering a full presentation for Chuck's signature Books Galore routine. But I think his comment understates the value of the work by referencing this only as something for someone looking for a booktest.

The way which Chuck has designed the presentation, the books are really secondary, and the whole point is that the spectators are left with a sense that they have likely witnessed real thought reading. More importantly, the model which Chuck explains thoroughly in this booklet can be applied to many other presentations, showing how to build multiple points of wonder with an integrated combination of effects. And he points this out in the book.

It surpises me how many students of our craft willingly shell out many hundreds of dollars for gimmicks, but then fail to develop the right way to use those gimmicks. Here Chuck is offering a routine which is low cost to put together but accomplishes what we're all after: giving the audience a real experience in witnessing mentalism. And the price is nominal when compared to the alternatives.

I only wish that Chuck had kept this manuscript "underground", within the confines of the mentalism brotherhood, instead of making it available for such a cheap price to those outside the club.

[Dick Christian]

As RSchostag has noted, the principles Chuck discusses in "Thought-Full Telepathy" can certainly be applied/adapted to other mindreading/telepathic effects; however, the fact remains that the booklet deals specifically with Chuck's book test routine and I felt it important to point that out as the title of the booklet may not make that sufficiently clear. While the experienced mentalist who already features a well-developed tried and true book test routine in his/her performances will still find it useful, the booklet will be especially valuable to those just starting down that road.