Underhanded is a specialized book in the world of magic and mentalism written by Atlas Brookings and Joshua Fletcher. It is geared toward magicians and mentalists who want to master a particular technique that makes it possible to secretly obtain information, such as having a spectator write or draw something on a card and then revealing it seemingly by mind reading. This work focuses on a clever, lowtech method often referred to as a peek, allowing performers to secretly glimpse a selected card or business card without suspicious apparatus like electronics or gimmicks. The book has gained significant attention among practitioners for its practical value and the creative routines it offers to enhance closeup performance and peek techniques.
What Underhanded Is About
The core of Underhanded lies in teaching a specific approach to peeking information from a participant’s chosen card, business card, or written item. Instead of using complex devices or bulky tools, the method emphasizes simplicity and subtlety. Performers are taught how to secretly glimpse needed information while maintaining natural, smooth handling of objects. This underhanded technique is praised for being direct and minimalistic, boosting the clean presentation that many performers seek in closeup magic and mentalism.
The Peek Technique Explained
In the context of magic, a peek refers to secretly viewing a piece of information without the audience’s awareness. In Underhanded, this concept is applied to everyday items that participants hold or handle, turning these moments into opportunities for magical reveals. The technique allows performers to look at a business card or written word without needing to insert special wallets or peek devices. Magicians who have used this method describe it as both practical and highly effective for interactive performances.
Authors Atlas Brookings and Joshua Fletcher
Atlas Brookings is a wellknown name in the magic and mentalism community, recognized for creating innovative tricks, routines, and books that push performers to think creatively about their craft. Brookings’ works often emphasize psychological techniques, clever presentations, and practical handling that make magic more engaging and deceptive. Underhanded fits within this tradition, offering material that performers can incorporate immediately into their acts.
Collaborative Input by Joshua Fletcher
Joshua Fletcher collaborated with Atlas Brookings on the writing of Underhanded, contributing ideas and refinements that help structure the routines and explanations in the book. The collaboration between these two authors combines their experiences and performance insights, resulting in a resource with both theory and practical routines that display underhanded peeks in powerful ways. The book includes specific variations, performance tips, and routines designed to make the technique accessible even for intermediate practitioners.
What’s Inside the Book
Underhanded isn’t just a description of the peek technique; it contains full routines, explanations, and even Q&A performance pieces that help readers see how the techniques can be used creatively. Performers praise the routines for being refined through real performances, offering tested approaches that work in front of live audiences. One routine included in the book, known as Epic Triple Fail, is highlighted as a strong example of how layered reveals and clever handling can create dramatic moments in closeup magic.
Typical Contents
- An explanation of the underhanded peek method and its advantages
- Stepbystep instructions on performing standard routines
- Advanced variations that increase the impact of the reveal
- Performance tips focusing on timing, misdirection, and engagement
- Q&A segments and mindreading styled pieces
These contents make the book valuable not only for learning specific peeks but also for enhancing overall performance quality.
Why It’s Popular Among Magicians
Many magicians and mentalists appreciate Underhanded because it eliminates the need for bulky tools, complex setups, or expensive gadgets. Its lowtech approach fits well with performers who prefer sleightofhand, psychological misdirection, and closeup interaction without heavy reliance on props. This book also appeals to performers who enjoy routines that feel organic, clean, and direct – attributes that can make magic feel more personal and immediate to an audience.
Practical Benefits
- Focus on simple, everyday items like business cards or written notes
- Techniques that work without bulky or suspicious equipment
- Routines suitable for closeup, walkaround, and intimate settings
- Approaches that enhance performer versatility
Because the book teaches a method rather than gimmick heavy tricks, it is also seen as a way to improve fundamental skills that serve performers in many aspects of their craft.
Skill Level and Learning Curve
Underhanded is generally categorized for intermediate practitioners. It assumes that readers have some understanding of basic magic or mentalism principles, including misdirection, presentation, and simple sleightofhand. However, the book’s stepbystep instructions and practice routines make it approachable for those willing to invest time in developing the technique. With practice, performers can integrate underhanded peeks into their repertoire, making their acts more deceptive and engaging.
Who Can Benefit from This Book?
- Intermediate magicians looking to add peek techniques
- Mentalists seeking direct mindreading styled reveals
- Closeup performers wanting lowtech routines
- Entertainers intending to expand their card or object handling skills
The focus on practical performance scenarios and tested routines helps performers at different stages of their journey improve their craft.
Reception and Availability
Underhanded has received positive feedback from magicians who have used its techniques, with many reviewers praising the clarity of the method and the creativity of the routines. Although the book is currently out of stock in several magic shops where it was previously sold, its reputation remains strong among those who have studied it. The techniques it teaches continue to circulate through the magic community as performers share concepts and variations inspired by the book.
User Impressions
- Recognized for its useful, practical approach to peeking information
- Appreciated for clean routines that avoid heavy gimmicks
- Recommended by performers as an enhancement to existing skills
- Valued as a source of inspiration for new routines and ideas
Such feedback reflects the book’s role in enriching the creative toolkit of practicing magicians.
Underhanded by Atlas Brookings and Joshua Fletcher is a notable book in the field of magic and mentalism, focused on teaching a practical, lowtech peek technique that allows performers to secretly obtain information such as a chosen card or written note. Its method emphasizes simplicity, cleanliness, and direct handling, appealing to magicians who prefer organic routines without complex props. With full routines, performance tips, and creative approaches, the book serves as a valuable resource for intermediate performers looking to enhance their closeup magic and mentalism skills. Even though it may be harder to find due to being out of stock in many shops, its impact continues through practitioners who have studied and applied its teachings in live performances.