Jeff Stone's Magic Review of The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual

Jeff Stone's Magic Review of The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual
mylovelyassistant.com/21009
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Cold Open
00:05 Introduction
2:25 Effect / Method
3:32 Product Quality
4:17 Final Thoughts
6:33 Final Verdict
6:57 Random iTunes Song of the Moment
8:36 Credits
MY LOVELY ASSISTANT WRITTEN REVIEW:
OVERVIEW
1 pocket "field" manual, 114 pages, tons of advice, 1 Richard Osterlind, $35 bucks, and 1 The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual magic review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
EFFECT / METHOD
Did you ever watch Burn Notice on the USA Network? If not, what are you doing with your life? It's on Hulu. At the beginning of every episode, ex-spy Michael Westen gives a brief "spy tip" that ends up, of course, being a part of the plot of that particular episode. The tips, however, most of the time were super clever, and I always thought that USA Network should make a small pocket spy manual with all of the tips. I even went as far as starting (but never really pursuing in any depth) to capture each episode's tips so I could compile the book myself.
Richard Osterlind has captured that spirit and vibe in The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual. It's a small book that will fit into any inside suit coat pocket. It really does feel like, look like, and read like a field manual for The Professional Mentalist. There are 22 tips in the form of (with a few exceptions) 1.5 to 2 pages plus a spot for notes on how to implement the tips.
The advice ranges everywhere from tips on looking the part, acting the part, how to properly interact with clients outside of the show, extra little "thingies" to add that oh so sweet "Osterlind Optimization" to your show. It has his thoughts/tips about working with so-called "volunteers" along with his thoughts on pre-show, stooges, and other controversial topics. There are no effects. The closet we get is one chapter on his act. But even then we're not learning how to do it. That particular chapter is all about how to structure an act.
PRODUCT QUALITY
This is a beautiful somewhat nostalgic yet "official" looking little book that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when I look at it and read it. It feels like what it claims to be. It's super easy to read and Richard makes his points absolutely clear, and even the stuff I didn't agree with was still fun to read.
AD COPY INTEGRITY
Watch the ad trailer, and you'll immediately get the vibe and feel of what you're getting. It perfectly captures what he was trying (and quite successfully I might add) to accomplish. The ad copy is dead on. Line from the ad copy: This book is unlike any other ever offered. His hard-hitting advice is incredibly insightful and priceless for the working performer. Yep! 100%. This is true. The rest of the ad copy is also true, but I singled out this statement because it's the boldest of the claims, and it's correct.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Reviews on products this solid are often quite short. This is awesome. That's awesome. Everything is Awesome. You're welcome. While reading this I experienced several different "things."
THING 1:
I already felt this way, and totally agreed with his advice.
THING 2:
I never thought about that, but totally agreed with the suggestion and realized how smart it was.
THING 3:
I thought Richard was totally wrong and did not agree with his advice. The more I read it, the more I disagreed.
THING 4:
I thought Richard was totally wrong and thought I would disagree with his advice, until I kept reading it, and he began to sway me.
If a book of advice doesn't make you think, it ain't good. This one made me think. Helped me. Maybe even corrected me. Plus it's just a cool looking book. What more do you want? The advice of someone in the industry for 50 years? Oh wait. You get that too.
FINAL VERDICT:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
RANDOM ITUNES SONG OF THE MOMENT:
Joey By Concrete Blonde
• Concrete Blonde - Joey...
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[@erictrainor4345]

Jeffrey, baby Don't get crazy It makes you pensive And not defensive I know you've heard most of it before Like the suits or watch he wore And he doesn’t justify why he needs the billet tore And though I used to wonder why My views don’t always comply Maven said he often argued with dead guys Oh, Jeffrey, if you're thinking, so am I 😊

[@StoneColdMagic]

I know a man who lives in Kentucky When he speaks, he's tenacious and plucky I know he repeats He doesn't wear cleats If you've read his books, count yourself lucky

[@StoneColdMagic]

Not bad, but Imma stick with Concrete Blonde on this one. :0]

[@liberalguy513]

Perhaps useful but overpriced for a 70ish page softbound book, then again mentalists are used to overpaying.

[@StoneColdMagic]

That’s a pretty subject thing. I definitely got $35 worth of info, easily. I personally am more than happy to pay a little extra for the perspective of a veteran pro. I’ve paid more than that just to sit in a room and listen to Eugene burger say stuff that I’ve heard (or read) him say a hundred times before. In that case I didn’t get a book out of it. Just the wisdom. With this field manual I get the wisdom, the book, and any time access to the info. It was definitely worth it for me. But that’s me. Hence: subjective. 😉