The most influential mentalism book of the last 50 years is finally back in print.
Writing under the name of Phil Goldstein, Max Maven created one of the largest, cleverest and most influential bodies of work in the field, stretching from the latter part of the twentieth century into the twenty-first. His star rose early, with the publication of five slim collections, each packed with innovative and performance-caliber mentalism. These booklets, which have become widely known as “The Color Series,” contained items such as “Desire”, “The Spirit is Willing (to Write)” and “Four-sided Triangle” - items that have become modern classics in the field.
Max Maven produced the Color booklets in small quantities and, despite ongoing popular request, refused to reprint them. They have become highly sought after, fetching prices in the hundreds of dollars. At last, after a quarter of a century, the entire Color Series is again available; all 53 effects, newly illustrated by Ton Onosaka, 240 pages in hardcover. Welcome to a classic reborn... PRISM!
"PRISM contains 5 pieces of theater-miracolous events that have both ingenious and elegant methods and entertaining and engaging presentations. I’m delighted that this book has finally appeared. If you are interested in mentalism, PRISM should be in your library." - Michael Close
"When I was a teenager, and I had to do 10 shows in 2 weeks, these books saved my life. I can tell you off the top of my head, I performed Desire, Chaos, Nucleus, Four-sided Triangle, there was Mental Telepathy. So, it's a brilliant, brilliant book. I'm thrilled they're re-releasing this. I always say, when I see Max, 'Thank you for putting out these books, because they really did save my life.' If you haven't read these, you've got a treat. Get it while you can." - Steve Valentine
"Max Maven is one of the most respected and prolific creators in mentalism. PRISM is one of his most important and respected works. Read it, absorb it, and study anything Max writes. It will make you a better mentalist." - Uri Geller
"There's only one man -- ONE MAN ONLY -- who has influenced my mentalism career to the highest point. That man is Max Maven. Max has been my teacher, my rabbi, my sensei, the author I read the most, the one in my inner mind I think, 'How would Max do this?" - Marc Salem
"If I have to explain why Max Maven's work is such an important contribution to our art then you haven't read it. PRISM belongs on your bookshelf and deserves to be studied." - Patrick Redford
"Max Maven’s PRISM is more than just a colorful collection of modern mentalism by one of the art’s greatest thinkers and performers; it is a lens through which one may glimpse the secrets to constructing powerful, meaningful mysteries. Read the opening effect “Desire,” and you will be changed forever. And then—once you’ve basked in its brilliance—you’ll suddenly realize there are over 200 pages of illumination to go." - Jared Kopf
