Reviews: Read What John Kauth Is Saying
1 ★★★★★ reviews
The Ghost Manuscript
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 27 March, 2024)
I enjoy reading these manuscripts from the early 20th century. This one has a lot of chalk and slate work that a mentalist could adapt to create some interesting effects today. The photos are clear, and the book has been retyped, so there is no problem reading the text. The editor, Marko, has done a great job identifying the photos; if the instructions are unclear, he inserts a note. Following the slate work, the book explains the techniques used by the mediums in the 1920s. The technique descriptions are a little vague, but they will be useful for those curious about the methods or for re-creating a seance today. There are good instructions for constructing a spirit cabinet to use some of the methods previously described in the book. For those curious about this stuff, the price is reasonable. There is an appendix written by Marko that offers additional explanations.
The Ritual of Destiny
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 04 October, 2023)
There is so much possibility here. The recording is old-sounding and scratchy. A woman's voice directs the ritual with the four cards, and her instructions are easy to follow. The person holding the cards gets to make a number of choices along the way to get to the outcome if a wish will come true. This would be great around a table with each person having their own packet of cards. No two people will move the cards the same way as there are many choices. So many ideas come to mind to use the Ritual of Destiny as part of a much larger routine. You would have to add your own story and perhaps not use the recording since different cards would be used. This could be done with four Tarot cards without the recording. I have to be vague here not to give away the method or result. If you are having a Halloween party, as this review is being written in October, this would be a fun little routine. Turn the lights down low, light some candles, and play the Ritual of Destiny. If you are looking for a showstopper, do not get this. It is a nice little routine with an interesting twist - the recording.
Listen and It Will Speak
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 27 September, 2023)
I am a 74-year-old Buddhist and amateur mentalist who mainly performs for older audiences. Sometimes, I give talks on Buddhism and incorporate a little mentalism if appropriate. Other times I perform a 30-minute or so mentalism routine. My performance persona when doing a mentalism routine is what you would expect from a Buddhist doing mentalism. Low key in a Max Maven sort of way. Mentalism does not rely on flashiness or card flourishes, or sleight-of-hand skills. Most mentalism relies on simple methods. Presentation is far more important than method. Listen and It Will Speak is 100% presentation. If you are not an excellent storyteller, this effect is not for you. If your mentalism style is not the quiet presentation style of a Max Maven, this effect is not for you. But if you are that rare individual who can act and tell an interesting story, then this may be a good opening effect. At its heart, it is a simple card revelation, simple and really nothing but add the story to it, and it really becomes something. In addition to the script, a few interesting false cuts are explained that may give this some extra value.
Miss Taylor's Wish and Desires Postcard
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 27 September, 2023)
I am a 74-year-old amateur living in a senior apartment building and enjoy occasionally performing for the residents. The most asked question first: Is it worth the price? Yes. The postcard is nicely designed to look like something out of the 1920s. It can be printed as is, but with some arts and crafts, it can be antiqued to look genuinely old. The method is simple, clever, and easy to learn. The card reading is simple and easy to memorize. It is a nice little routine around a table for one person or an intimate group. Since the reading with the postcard is personal to the person being read, the choices made with the postcard can be hidden from other viewers. The routine can then be performed for others at the table. There is no equivoque, and the choices are straightforward. The reason for hiding the postcard choices if the effect is to be repeated is not to influence the choices others make at the table. The effect certainly is not a closer, but it is worth the price as an icebreaker.
Chopper Secrets
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by John Kauth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 17 May, 2023)
For historical reference worth the 3 bucks. The most important part is the trick blades, which are simply and clearly diagrammed. There are no instructions for building the actual devices.