Steerpike, I'm asking for advise of what to buy. Direct means straight to the point.
RickEverhart, I hate reading books.
Which is exactly why you'll never be more than a mediocre "performer".
Pardon my rudeness but hey, that's what old curmudgeons do. . .
If you refuse to read and study why should anyone help you? We're talking about the epitome of laziness here and when that's how you view things in life, chances are quite high that you will never really achieve much, especially within magic; a craft that is based 100% on one's willingness to learn and grow.
How often have you seen images of the old Wizards in their den and not surrounded by stacks of books, scrolls and scientific looking devices? The very word "Wizard" evolved out of the idea of "Wise" applied to a person... a Wise-ard as it were. Wise because they understood physics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, language and so much more. So when it comes to simple and direct Mentalism I'd have to say your best bet would be to not over-step your self-made limitations and stick with things like the 21 Card Trick and using Key Cards. . . maybe a Thumb Tip . . . hell, just stick with that Criss Angel Magick Kit and you'll do fine. . .just have your mom read the instructions to you.
OMG!
Ok, enough with the beating. Hopefully you and others have gotten the point; to be a magician/mentalist you MUST compel yourself to study and do research vs. watching a DVD or having someone teach you one-on-one, etc. I will admit that it's a pain in the hind-side, especially when you have learning problem such as I had when I was younger. Ironically, the more you apply yourself to learn by way of books, the easier it will become, so toss your excuses in the trash.
In Mentalism there are but a handful of things one really needs to know in order to slay the laity;
- A Solid Understanding of Ideomotor Reflex (pendulums, dowsing, table tipping, muscle reading, tells, etc.)
- How to Give a Solid Character Analysis/Reading
- Proficient Recollection Skills/Mnemonics
- Billet Work
- Swami/Secret Writing
YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING ELSE!
Well, a bit of hutzpah and imagination perhaps, but other than that you have all you really need for being a Mentalist, the rest boils down to studying and cultivating the act & image.
I didn't read through the thread prior to stealing out the quote above, but I'm leaving things as stated in hope they'll "inspire" others.