Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 50 ratings

Price: 19.68

Last update: 08-27-2024


About this item

A professional magician and illusionist - the head magic consultant for the hit film Now You See Me - reveals how to bridge the gap between perception and reality to increase your powers of persuasion and influence.

David Kwong has astounded corporate CEOs, TED talk audiences, and thousands of other hyper-rational people, making them see, believe, and even remember what he wants them to. Illusion is an ancient art that centers on control: commanding a room, building anticipation, and appearing to work wonders. Illusion works because the human brain is wired to fill the gap between seeing and believing. Successful leaders - like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Ted Turner - are masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals.

In his years of research and practice, David has discovered seven fundamental principles of illusion. With these rules anyone can learn to:

  • Mind the gap - recognize and employ the perceptual space between your audience's ability to see and their impulse to believe
  • Load up - prepare to amaze your audience
  • Write the script - discover the importance of shaping the narrative that surrounds your illusion
  • Control the frame - explore the real-life value of a magician's best friend: misdirection
  • Design free choice - command your audience by giving them agency
  • Employ the familiar - take secret advantage of habits, patterns, and audience expectations
  • Conjure an out - develop backup plans that will keep you one, two, three, or more steps ahead of the competition

With Spellbound you'll discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills and make your best shot better than everyone else's.


Top reviews from the United States

Holland like the place
5.0 out of 5 stars Spell bound.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
A very interesting read. Bringing magic to personal success. Brilliant. I even watched the movie, and was spell bound. (Pardon the pun.) Did not see the twist till the end.
Chrissy
4.0 out of 5 stars Embrace your proscenium
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2018
I came across this article "How thinking like a magician can help you get ahead at work" by David Kwong and decided to buy the book. I was intrigued. In many ways, Kwong used examples of historical events by infamous persons to metaphorically expound on his principles. Whilst in some cases there was a lot of talk about magic, which I was not too fond of, I can appreciate his expertise on the subject. I have learned that a massive amount of time should be put into preparation, how to capture and engage your audience, failure does not mean final and requires that you pivot and "kaizen" is a part of the process. All and all a very resourceful and insightful book.
For the Love of Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2017
Such an entertaining and useful read! Am buying extra copies for friends and family looking to pull from new and innovative resources (magic!) to help them climb the corporate and non-corporate ladders!
louise
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2017
Best book of the year. SPELLBINDING!!
Neil Bacon
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and useful.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2017
Changed the way I thought about magic and business. Very useful
Jo Cutmore-Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2017
Pure Magic!
Melissa Levin
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius.
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2017
Fascinating!
Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Don't be taken in by the title.
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2017
Nothing that really stands out in this book. I expected much more.

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