David Thiel – Windows Into The Soul – Unlocking The Secrets of Body Language

"Absolutely the best book to come along in years. Fantastic! This book is brilliant…a great resource for every performer!"
Neal Scryer, Author, Reader and Performer

I've seen many books regarding body language, but this is, by far, the best one for mentalists because this work is tailored for use by mentalists and includes information on how to use it in one's routines.  This 92-page downloadable PDF is highly recommended.
Jheff, Marketplace of the Mind (review)

 "I've just finished reading an intriguing book on body language by David Thiel.  What makes this book different, and fun, is that it's focused very narrowly on the needs of the mentalist. In other words, David discusses how to apply knowledge of body language in our performances.

"To give you an idea of what I mean: in one section, after teaching the universal facial expressions, David then goes on at length to demonstrate how to use knowledge of facial expressions to enhance a billet reading. Other sections discuss using body language to select audience volunteers, using it to create moments of intense drama, even using it to help garner a standing ovation.

"It's an easy read, and even if you're already well versed in nonverbal communication you'll very likely find some tips and ideas for its application that you haven't considered."
Christopher Carter, Past President of the Psychic Entertainers Association

"This book is wonderful! David teaches facial expressions and body language in an extremely easy to learn way – including text, photos, and even videos (with links right in the book)!

You may have studied other books on body language, but this one is especially for mentalists!  These are the methods that can carry your act to a much higher level because these methods will allow you to appear to your audience like you are doing real mind reading because you will be doing real mind reading!
Mastering these methods will allow you to perform anywhere with no preparation required!

David's book deserves a place in your library and in your mind!"
Millard Longman, Creator of Acidus Novus and many other effects

"In Windows Into The Soul: Unlocking The Secrets Of Body Language, David Thiel has created a comprehensive guide to the study and application of body language for the mystery performer. In his usual engaging and conversational style, he takes on us on an exploration of the current research and his own experiences about what makes these methods so valuable in general and particularly to our art.

I can't recall a single source that goes into as much detail or where the many facets of "covert communication" are so thoroughly covered and presented in a manner allowing the reader to readily put the information provided to use in the context of entertainment. David explores microexpressions, communication specific to various body parts and how to use these cues in a variety of ways including a seriously fascinating and helpful section on volunteer selection. Along the way he interweaves multimedia examples that facilitate learning. Via video and photographs, he demonstrates aspects that are greatly enhanced by having visual examples as well as providing opportunities for the reader to test their own growing skills at decoding body language. I found this invaluable.

Another stand out for me included an effect David shares that allows you to practice your skills with a safety net. "Windows into the Soul: A (Mostly) Body Language Effect" is modular in design and offers an entertaining opportunity to put what is taught into action, providing a guaranteed conclusion while you are still learning.

Equally important is the section on the PERFORMER'S body language. David teaches, based on his years of experience as a full time performer, how to use our own body language to get the most out of our interactions with audiences. He credits others who have inspired his thinking in this area and examines the implications and applications in thorough detail so the reader can easily put these wise ideas right to work in their own performances.

I really enjoyed reading Windows Into The Soul: Unlocking The Secrets To Body Language, something I've come to expect from everything David releases. Laughs, aha experiences and a significantly enhanced understanding of the importance of applying and integrating multiple aspects of body language await those who make the wise decision to study his latest work."
Dr. Bill Cushman, Psychologist, Author and Mentalist

I found this book an extremely well-written, readable, highly practical and thorough treatment of body language. It has general applicability; in fact, I found myself practicing its lessons today while I was out running errands just a day after reading it. Highly recommended!
John Streiff, Mentalist

"I see the visual cues my volunteers are giving me all the time now. "Windows" teaches you how to read those cues. The amazing thing is that these methods really work!  You can always tell when a writer is sharing methods they've really used — and when they're just blowing smoke. David's experience on real stages with real people shines through again and again. While the instruction on body language is invaluable, I also greatly enjoyed his thoughts on how to construct a show, the treatment of volunteers and his ideas for building better performances. This is the best thing I've purchased all year…and it's been a great year. Thanks, David!"
James Dominick, Mentalist

From author, David Thiel…

We all know how to hide what we're really thinking when we speak. But  most of us have never learned how to lie with our bodies. Knowing how to read body language and facial expressions accurately gives a powerful edge to mystery performers.

 Experts estimate that up to 93% of communication is non-verbal. The idea of those studies, summarized in articles like this one, is that we understand much more by what  we see and the tones we hear than the actual words that are spoken. That's a goldmine for mentalists because it means that we can draw information on what our audiences are really feeling just by paying attention to what their bodies are telling us.

The beauty of knowing how to read body language is that the person sending the communication doesn't have the slightest idea that they're doing it.

Corporations, law firms, salespeople, law enforcement agencies and many more have known about the power of body language for years. That is why millions of dollars have been spent to research and come up with the hard science behind body language. In this book you'll learn about:

* Microexpressions and how to read emotions that flash across the faces of our audiences
* How your subject's body communicates what they are really thinking
* How you can use body language to greatly enhance the impact of everything you do onstage
* How to use body language to know how a person really feels about you on-stage…or in your everyday life
* Gestures to avoid at all costs…and body language you can use to sell everything you communicate more effectively
* You'll learn to read the language of the head, the eyes, the torso and more
*  You'll learn how to identify "lying behaviors"
*  You'll get advice on how to welcome a standing ovation from your audience using only your hands
* You'll be invited to apply your new knowledge using "real world" photographs to "read" what news makers are really feeling
* You'll learn how to use the Barnum Effect as a lead-in to a powerful routine…and much more

Body Language — and learning how to interpret it — has been a life long obsession to me. (Read about it in the Introduction to the book.) This book breaks down the science of reading body language and customizes the results specifically to mystery performers. It contains videos where David shows you what to look for…and hyperlinks to resources that will have still more to teach you.

Designed  to be used any time, any place — on stage, close-up or in their everyday lives — Windows Into The Soul is a resource no mystery performer should be without.