James gives advice on history-taking, and "pre-talk" and suggestibility tests, as well as guidance on recognizing trance depth. Drawing from LeCron's work, he describes six stages of trance, from light to deep. He provides a script designed to take the client through the six stages of hypnosis and test each stage with challenges consisting of eye closure, arm catalepsy, age regression, automatic movement, hallucinations, and amnesia.

The chapter on metaphors is an elegant series of embedded metaphors about how to pay attention to the client and sharpen the power of observation, and mind-body healing. The book discusses several deepening methods such as counting and fractionation. James does a very good treatment of post-hypnotic suggestions as well.

Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide features an analysis of three prominent methods of hypnotherapy:

* Indirect, permissive methods, as practiced by Milton Erickson
* Direct-authoritarian methods, as practiced by George Estabrooks
* Client-centered methods, as practiced by David Elman

James presents a thorough discussion of each approach, with sample scripts. He recommends that readers practice and experiment with these three styles and develop their own individual, eclectic approach. He advocates combining hypnotherapy with Time Line Therapy(r) and NLP.

Tad James, Ph.D. made his mark on NLP when he and Wyatt Woodsmall co-authored the groundbreaking book, Time Line Therapy, in 1988 (Meta Publications). Today he teaches Time Line Therapy(r) to thousands of people each year. He is President of the American Board of Hypnotherapy and Advanced Neuro-Dynamics, a leading NLP training firm. He heads the American Institute of Hypnotherapy and American Pacific University, a Hawaiian-based institute for hypnosis, psychology and esoteric studies. He is one of the world's most influential NLP trainers and a respected authority on hypnosis.

Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide takes a complex subject and makes it simple. The descriptions of language patterns and scripts are particularly illustrative and well-done. The chapter on metaphors is truly artistic. James proves himself an erudite historian of clinical hypnotherapy.

Although I like this highly readable book, it is not the best-organized I have ever read, in terms of chapter sequencing. Moreover, the word "comprehensive," in the title overstates the case. Nevertheless, where Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide makes a truly unique contribution is in describing, comparing, and contrasting the work of three great hypnotherapists. The analysis of Erickson's work is thorough, and the portrayals of the work Elman and Estabrooks are succinct and accurate. James shows us the rich precision of hypnotic language and the subtle nuances that make hypnotherapy engaging and convincing. He demystifies hypnosis and makes the process easy to comprehend. Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide is one you will want for your library.

To purchase Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide contact:
Crown House Publishing Limited
Crown Buildings
Bancyfelin, Carmarthen SA33 5ND, U.K.
Phone: +44 (0) 1267 21 1880
Facsimile: +44 (0) 1267 21 1882
Email: bshine@crownhouse.co.uk
Website: www.crownhouse.co.uk

Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Executive Director with the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists. She is an NLP Master Practioner/Trainer. She maintains a counseling practice in Springfield Virginia.
Her web site is www.engagethepower.com.