Spellbound
The Seven Magic Techniques of Influence, Persuasion and Success
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- £8.99
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
David Kwong is the go-to consultant for Hollywood’s biggest illusion-heavy projects, including the hit films Now You See Me, The Imitation Game and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. In Spellbound he reveals how to bridge the gap between perception and reality to increase your powers of persuasion and influence.
David Kwong has astounded large crowds, from CEOs to TED talk audiences to thousands of other hyper-rational people, making them see, believe and even remember what he wants them to. Illusion is an ancient art that centres 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. Surprisingly, these are the tools used by top leaders like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson; masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals. Spellbound shows us that illusions are more than just a set of tricks; it is a trainable craft that holds the principles of winning over an audience, which can be applied to every aspect of life.
Through years of practice, research and learning (including a Harvard degree in the history of magic), David discovered the seven fundamental principles of illusion, like how to use the space between seeing and believing, shape narratives and command your audience by giving them agency.
Packed with amazing stories and insights, Spellbound gives you a fresh and engaging way to sell your idea, production or skills to stand out from the crowd.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kwong, a stage magician and New York Times crossword puzzle maker, breaks down the art of illusion into seven principles that businesspeople can use to get ahead. His techniques include "minding the gap" between what audiences see and what they want to believe, "loading up" by researching and practicing before a show, and "conjuring an out" in case the grand finale goes off course and a backup plan is necessary. He explains that all seven of these tricks of the trade have real-life and historical applications. Without revealing major secrets of his craft, Kwong gives laypeople a taste of what lies behind the sleight of hand and misdirection wielded by magicians from Houdini to David Copperfield. He intersperses these examples with the illusions and manipulations employed by historical figures, such as F.D.R., and successful companies, such as Ikea. This enjoyable work from a confident master of his trade is a "virtual wand" for those who want a bit of magic in their lives.