The Effect
This phenomenal work by the ‘Dean of American Hypnotists’ is the most comprehensive text ever to be published on stage hypnotism. It also has widespread therapeutic applications. The first section, Mastering Hypnosis, covers the history of the subject together with an extensive description of how to use the power of suggestion. The second section, Entertaining with Hypnotism, describes how to design and perform a modern hypnotic show and includes extracts from some of the most successful and exciting shows ever performed. Everything is covered, from opening the show to the best ways of advertising. There are chapters on the business aspects of hypnotism and how to avoid lawsuits.
“Ormond McGill has produced a masterwork on Stage Hypnosis … all inclusive of his previous work but with much new, up-to-date material added for today’s mastery.”
Gill Boyne, President,
American Council of Hypnotist Examiners
“This phenomenal work … is not only the most comprehensive book ever to be published on stage hypnotism, it also has widespread therapeutic applications as well. … I am confident that even the most experienced practitioner of hypnosis will gain new skills from this important work.”
Martin Roberts PhD
Cost
£45 from
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Encyclopedi ... 797&sr=8-1
or
http://www.crownhouse.co.uk/index.php?p ... uct_id=122
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Depends on your personality!
Review
Apart from a hokum chapter about "Your Hypnotic Power" this book is a no-nonsense, practical approach to learning the fundamentals of stage hypnosis.
I decided to review it as, although it's not a magic book specifically, it's a related art and lots of people tend to post asking for recommendations regarding hypnosis books.
Now, first things first, this book does NOT teach you how to be a hypnotherapist, it concentrates purely on using the state of hypnosis for entertainment purposes.
I don't want this thread to deteroirate into a slanging match regarding whether a hypnotic state exists or not, but to review this book, which I wholeheartedly recommend, to anyone who's interested.
So what do you get for you £45?
605 pages of useful information!
The first half of the book concentrates on the 'how to', covering suggestiblity tests, inductions and over 100 methods. Some practical, some dated, some excellent and a couple of dangerous ones!
No stone is left unturned and to absorb all this information you will really need to study this book, re-read it and take in the thinking behind it. Hypnosis has a lot to do with your personality and people who are naturally good with words will find themselves to be a far more convincing and sucessful hypnotist.
The first 270 pages of this book tell you all you need to know to start hypnotising people and once you have found a few willing subjects, it's a matter of experience and continuing to study this book.
The second half concerns Entertaining With Hypnotism and takes you through some hypnosis shows stage by stage and supplys you with ideas for your own routines. Their is also a section called Hypnotrix - subtle things you can do to convince the partcipant further that they are being hypnotised.
This book is excellent, the only things lacking are anything to do with UK stage hypnosis laws (which you wouldn't expect in a book written by an American, years ago!) and any kind of academic study of what hypnosis is.
This book is perfect for those that want to add suggestion to their magic and any wanabe Derren Browns (I'm sure there's a few lurking on this forum!), though if you are interested in hypnosis as therapy - look elsewhere.
For anyone wanting more on the history of hypnosis, I recommend 'Hidden Depths' by Robin Wakefield, which also has some useful information about methods of induction in it.
Overall, if anyone asked me to recommend a book on stage hypnosis, this is my number one choice. It's readable, clearly written, the stuff in it does actually work if you peform it correctly. If you are a performer, rather than someone who 'does tricks', then you will find the methods and techniques in this book fairly easy to do.
A great book and worth every penny.
Overall
I have to say 10/10.
[/i]