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  • Presto!

  • How I Made over 100 Pounds Disappear and Other Magical Tales
  • Written by: Penn Jillette
  • Narrated by: Penn Jillette
  • Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (89 ratings)

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Presto!

Written by: Penn Jillette
Narrated by: Penn Jillette
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Publisher's Summary

An unconventional weight loss tale from an unconventional personality. Penn Jillette tells how he lost 100 pounds with his trademark outrageous sense of humor and biting social commentary that makes this success story anything but ordinary.

Legendary magician Penn Jillette was approaching his 60th birthday. Topping 330 pounds and saddled with a systolic blood pressure reading over 200, he knew he was at a dangerous crossroads: If he wanted to see his small children grow up, he needed to change. And then came Crazy Ray. A former NASA scientist and an unconventional, passionate innovator, Ray Cronise saved Jillette's life with his wild "potato diet".

In Presto, Jillette takes us along on his journey from skepticism to the inspiring, life-changing momentum that transformed the magician's body and mind. He describes the process in hilarious detail, as he performs his Las Vegas show, takes meetings with Hollywood executives, and hangs out with his celebrity friends and fellow eccentric performers, all while remaining a dedicated husband and father. Throughout, he weaves in his views on sex, religion, and pop culture, making his story a refreshing, genre-busting account. Outspoken, frank, and bitingly clever, Presto is an incisive, rollicking listen.

©2016 10IN1 (P)2016 Audiobooks.com Publishing

What listeners say about Presto!

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fun and entertaining

Great book and very entertaining. not really a diet book but a very enjoyable account of Penn's journey to get healthy.

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Read

Great book I want to let people know he’s got a green story behind him one of the best books I’ve ever read

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A refreshing view on weight loss

Penn’s story is inspiring and motivating. I won’t be eating just potatoes anytime soon, but I will be making better choices for my health. Who knew that over the years and after reading many weight loss and health books, it would be a Vegas magician who lit the fire for me ?!

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Worth Listening

in today's polarizing nutrition climate this book will be controversial however if you listen to everything Penn says you should walk away understanding that it is his story, his experience, his body and he is NOT telling you to replicate what he did. If you are one that ignores the "don't try this at home message" I urge you to NOT read this book. If however you can take the essence of the message and apply it to your life there are many important and transferable lessons. Although Penn uses more profane language than I think is necessary I enjoyed his reading as the passion and immediacy would not have transferred as well had someone else narrated. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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A surprise

I had no idea what this book was really going to be about--somehow, I knew nothing about Penn Jillette. Loved the book--his straight forward, honest narration and the engaging story. Entertaining for sure.

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Entertaining and Enlightening

Overall I loved this book. Penn is a great storyteller and has great stories to share. Mix in a touch of science and a diet that really worked for him and you get a light shed on how people think about dieting and their relationship with food.

This book is also inspirational, it will get you thinking about health and what people actually need to survive. Super intersting and entertaining.

Thanks Penn.

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Very humorous and informative

I really liked the book. Penn brings the perfect amount of comedy to a book that would probably be boring otherwise. I recommend it!

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    3 out of 5 stars

Only potatoes for two weeks

Penn lost weight in a very radical way. He holds nothing back in how he was able to accomplish that. While I could not lose weight the way he did, I have fully embraced a whole food plant based diet. That's what I taking away from it.
It's kinda funny, very serious, quasi informative with a few recipes that are....unique.

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Loved it!

This book has inspired me to try and become less of a fat fuck myself and will begin a venture into the Nutritarian lifestyle next week! Congratulations on getting healthy!

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Humorous, honest introspective from likeable guy

An entertaining peek into the life of my favorite comedic magician. Penn tells it like it is in this book about an important change in his and his family's life. He gives full credit and appreciation to his support network. I particularly like how thoroughly he disclaims that his method worked for him, but may not work for others. it's extremely insightful though.

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