Tricks of the Mind by Derren Brown

First off, thanks to über-super-bud CG for introducing me to Derren Brown. While most people in North America will get this, Brits find it inconceivable I can’t know who he is. I have to admit, his shows are head-scratchingly awesome and you have to like his honest about his dishonesty approach to his act while still telling you loads and showing things “behind the scenes.” The book is a lot like that. I love his “voice” of faux-egomaniac while still being amazingly self-deprecating in the book. You do get the idea he’s a fun guy to have around at dinner parties when he wants to be “on.”

Loads of good, practical, almost auto-biographical stuff on memory, sleights, suggestion and hypnosis and the darker side of psychics, charlatanism and faith.

Really enjoyed it.

(PS> I should point out that my major fascination came from watching Derren Brown get in a cab and ask a cabbie to drive hiom to the London Eye – the biggest eye sore landmark in London in my opinion and visible from anywhere near the Thames – and having him develop a “hole” in his memory as to where it was. Freaking brilliant.)