I'll Read Your Mind
by Aage Darling

This work is a translation of the original edition, published in Denmark in 1948. Editing the English language edition has been a pleasant task, for Aage Darling, like myself, is more concerned with effect than with method. For that reason the reader will not find in this volume sensationally clever, and equally complicated methods of accomplishing minor mental effects. Rather will he find audience tested routines of proved entertainment value, with the simplest possible methods, so that the performer can devote his whole attention to presentation, and the minimum to the technicalities of method.

Too many mental acts become boring because they are unrelieved by humour or other human emotions. The successful entertainer, whatever his forte may be, plays upon the emotions of his audience. The mentalist must play upon more than one emotion for success, for it is not enough to amaze an audience with heavy "mental magic" unrelieved by pathos or laughter. Herein the reader will find effects, such as "Pin Up Girl Test" that can keep the audience highly amused, or "Test of the Spirits" that will play upon a lighter sense of humour. Such effects maintain the true mystery of mentalism, whilst relieving the tension with laughter.