The Human Tell by David Thiel

There is no more versatile skill for the modern mentalist than Cold Reading. You are looking at a stranger and legitimately know nothing about them. Yet within a few moments you are telling them deep things about themselves. How does it work? The Human Tell is a no-frills guide to getting started with Cold Reading. No fluff. No filler -- just the kind of information you need to master the basics and turn observations of subtle human behavior into meaningful insight. Written by David Thiel, it distills decades of performance experience into practical, usable techniques. Inside you’ll discover physical tells, linguistic patterns, Barnum-truths, and structured one-on-one reading systems that feel impossibly accurate. This is not theory—it is working method. Learn to create instant connection with any volunteer. Master the art of observing and truly seeing the person before you. Whether on stage or in private readings, The Human Tell gives you the tools to read people cleanly, confidently, and convincingly. You get David's complete script for doing one-on-one readings -- along with the reasons for why each element is critical to the reading. ​ Incorporate cold reading into every effect you do -- or as a stand-alone routine. Perform one-on-one with David's complete script as an outline -- or on-stage.
Author David Thiel says... I struggled with this book. I really did. Cold Reading is a huge topic. It encompasses an ability to read body language, observe the subject intently, to SEE the right things and draw the right conclusions. It requires the performer to quickly build a powerful empathy with the person he is reading. A solid cold read calls for lighting decisions on where to go, what threads to pull on -- and when to stop. It demands that you learn a new way of communicating, how to dig for information...there are just so many elements! And you learn them by experience. With strangers. Under pressure. You can't learn cold reading by reading book after book. You only learn cold reading by doing it. ​ That's what The Human Tell is designed to accomplish. No fluff. No filler. Just tools designed to equip you to get into a chair across from a subject and read them. It's designed to give you enough information so you look like you know what you are doing...because soon you WILL know what you're doing. ​ This book will take you from zero to sixty in about 80 pages. EvilDan likes it... "In The Human Tell, author and mentalist David Thiel gives you a one-stop-shopping primer that breaks down many of the elements that go into giving a cold reading. You will learn about physical, vocal, linguistic and emotional tells along with micro-expressions and social behavior tells. You will learn how to strengthen your observational skills to pick up on these tells. You will learn how to use Barnum and abstract statements. David even gives you a routine that triggers these tells so you are able to give a personal reading to someone. Not only that, but he gives you a safe way to give the reading, and a riskier way. The Human Tell is great book for beginners and gives you a path for when you want to jump ahead and trust your instincts. It’s also great for seasoned mentalists as well. "I know what you’re thinking. This all sounds really good but what if you try cold reading and fall flat on your face because what you’re saying is wrong? Don’t worry. Whether it’s a small misstep or a totally wrong read, David teaches you how to get back on track or walk away while still saving face. "There is a lot, I repeat, A LOT of information in this book." From the Foreword by EvilDan (Mentalist and author Dan Terelmes) Jheff likes it too... "The material is presented clearly and without unnecessary padding, making it especially well suited for novices, while experienced performers will still find a few gold nuggets worth adding to their toolkit. It's a wonderful companion piece to Windows Into The Soul and an excellent structured introduction to using tells in cold reading." Jheff, Marketplace of the Mind The Reviews have just started... ​This is an excellent, straightforward guide to incorporating cold and warm readings into your performances. Rather than relying entirely on generic Barnum statements—or avoiding them altogether—David explains how to craft personalized Barnum statements that suit the participant and the situation. These become a natural springboard into deeper, more meaningful warm readings. The step-by-step approach provides newcomers with a clear, comfortable framework for developing their reading skills and confidently exploring the fascinating world of readings. Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to strengthen your existing performance, this book offers practical techniques that are easy to understand and apply. Lawrence Darbonne, Mentalist This book changes everything! I had an idea cold reading was powerful. But learning it? I had no idea where to start. David breaks it down and it makes sense! I've started working with cold reading in my shows now and it's a game changer. For real! Thanks, David! ​James Dominick, Mentalist