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Book Project by Chen Wang and TCC Magic

Created by: Chen Wang, TCC Magic

The 'Book Project' is a portable book test that allows magicians to turn any book into a book test using a specially designed brass coin. The coin, engraved with mystical inscriptions, is used to force a specific word or number from the book. The performer swirls the coin on a page, and when the spectator says 'stop,' the word or number under the coin is revealed. This is a mentalism trick that works best with paperbacks, as the font and paper style need to match the coin's design for optimal visibility. The trick is compact, easy to perform once set up, and offers versatility by allowing the performer to force words, numbers, or even enhance existing book tests.

Key features

  • Portable and compact—only requires the brass coin.

  • Works with any book, but paperbacks with matching fonts and paper styles are recommended.

  • The coin does most of the work, making the trick relatively easy to perform.

  • Requires initial setup and resetting of the gimmick.

  • Can force words, numbers, or enhance other book tests.

Pros

  • Highly portable and versatile.

  • Modern take on a classic mentalism principle.

  • Coin has a mystical aesthetic, adding to the performance.

  • Easy to perform once set up.

Cons

  • Square hole in the coin limits visibility for longer English words.

  • Requires careful book selection and setup.

  • Short tutorial (8 minutes) may not cover all nuances.

Effect

The Book Project trick allows a performer to turn any book into a book test. A spectator freely selects a word from a book, and the magician reveals it as if by supernatural insight. The effect relies on a small, weighted brass coin with a square hole, which the performer uses to guide the spectator’s selection. The coin’s design gives it a mystical appearance, enhancing the illusion of mentalism.

Full Details

The Book Project uses a classic mentalism principle, similar to older methods like Banin’s "Word of a Ring" and Valentine’s original Book Project. The key component is a weighted brass coin with engraved details and a square viewing window. The performer prepares a force word in advance, ensuring the chosen word matches the book’s font and paper style.

The coin does most of the work—once the force is set, the performer swirls it over the page while the spectator calls "stop." The word under the coin’s window appears to be freely chosen, though it was predetermined. The trick requires minimal handling, making it accessible for performers of varying skill levels.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick suits mentalists and magicians who want a portable, examinable book test. It works well for impromptu performances since it can be used with any book. Performers who enjoy storytelling can incorporate the coin’s mystical design into their presentations. However, those who prefer forcing longer words may find the square hole limiting.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The Book Project is relatively easy to perform. The coin handles the mechanics, so the performer mainly focuses on presentation. The primary effort involves setup—selecting a force word and ensuring the book’s font and paper match the gimmick. Reset is quick, making it practical for repeated use.

What Magicians Say

MagicOrthodoxy’s David praised the trick’s portability and examinability, noting that TCC Magic modernized the classic principle effectively. He highlighted the coin’s weight and design as strengths but pointed out that the square hole limits visibility for longer English words. He suggested using shorter words or numbers for best results.

David also recommended having multiple copies of the book or tearing a page from the back to ensure consistency in font and paper. He concluded that the Book Project is a strong addition to a mentalist’s toolkit, especially when combined with other book tests.

What people are saying about Book Project

magicorthodoxy says...

The coin does most of the work, making it relatively easy to perform. [...] The primary effort lies in the initial setup and resetting the gimmick.

Review videos