Customer Reviews

The Rainbow Machine: Tales from a Neurolinguist's Journal

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'With hindsight, maybe dressing up as Satan was a step too far, but sometimes I just cannot resist. When a consultant psychiatrist called me to book an appointment to "confront her Catholic guilt", then something inside my head just started shouting "Go on!! She's a psychiatrist! Do it!! Do the session dressed as Satan!!"'

If you like that extract, then you'll love this book. It's a series of bite-sized articles, case studies and "Tales from a neurolinguist's journal" drawn from Austin's practice as a hypnotherapist and former career as a psychiatric nurse.

The book comes with heavyweight endorsement from the likes of Steve Andreas and Bill O'Hanlon, who describes Austin as 'the British Milton Erickson' - although given the degree of irreverence for the psychiatric establishment and the willingness to satirise some elements of the NLP community, "the British Richard Bandler" might be a little bit closer to conveying the flavour of the book.

Published by Real People Press, the Mark Andreas hippy-art cover makes it look like classic NLP works such as 'Frogs Into Princes' and 'Trance-Formations', and it's good enough to stand in that company. There really is an insight on nearly every page. The psych nursing background gives Austin an unusual depth of knowledge of the oft-neglected 'neuro' part of NLP, which provides useful perspectives on disorders like OCD.

Many people will be familiar with the "That's so obvious - why didn't I notice that before?" moments that come thick and fast when you first encounter NLP. I'm pleased to say that after 10 years as an NLP trainer, this book could still give me plenty of those. Of course a decision-making process that uses movies is going to get better results than one restricted to stills! Damn!

Did I mention that the book is often laugh-out-loud funny? He got away with that "Satan" thing too - in fact the client was so pleased with the results that she paid about six times what he asked. One thing I'm taking away from it is to be braver in my changework sessions.

For my money this is the most significant NLP book of the last five years. Luckily it's also one of the most readable. More please!

A series of stories from the author's experiences using Neuro-linguistic Programming, as a non-traditional therapist and a nurse in UK trauma, neurology, and children's oncology wards. The author tells stories as provocative as Richard Bandler's (NLP cofounder and legend), with the warmth, wisdom, and wit of Mark Twain. It will appeal most to those interested in or familiar with NLP, but it is accessible and enjoyable for everybody. My girlfriend, who has only a passing acquaintance with NLP, devoured it with great pleasure in the course of two afternoons.

I got this book in the mail on a busy day and didn't surface until I finished it some five hours later, smiling. Full of outrageous stories showing therapeutic NLP in action, this book is loads of fun. Although intended for people already familiar with NLP and/or therapy, it's accessible to anyone. I've read it twice so far and learned lots both times. Prepare to be shocked, to laugh, to change, and to look at the world differently after you're done.

Wilma Keppel, NLP developer

This is a most surprising lesson in the unexpected. Andrew comes up with unique and innovative responses that get the person to think, interpret and change. A forward moving book that readjusts your thinking as you read it.Flexibility and freedom from frozen maps of reality breathes life into this work.Thank you for your courage and inspiration.
Tobias S. Schreiber, LPC,CTS

As a psychologist, these stories had me crying, appallingly shocked, and laughing hysterically! There seems to be a great deal of empathy in this method, and a whole lot of straight talking! How refreshing, in these times of political correctness, and restraint in therapy due to legal/ethical ramifications. This book makes a great point!

NLP has taken a lot of heat over the years for not being "scientific". It's not! And, with that being said, Andrew shows us once again, that if you are willing to access the right states, NLP can be a tool to work seeming miracles. More than anything, Andrew demonstrates the willingness to adjust as wildly with his behavior as Bandler, Farrley, Erickson, etc. My hunch is that the "magic" is found in the state of the therapist, and NOT in the technique being utilized. That has been my own experience.

Most books in the field of NLP are just a rehash of previously taught patterns or techniques which have been ripped off from someone previous the the current author. From what I can tell NLP doesn't need another one of those. Thanks goodness that Andrew Austin seems to feel the same way as well. This book is a collection of stories about an Agent of Change that not only sees clients on a consistent basis but also is constantly developing new material. I love how he explains how he thinks of things rather then just rattling off a list instant fixes.

I met Andy one time before he was a pleasure to speak to. His latest work at this time, 'Metaphors of Movement' is some of the most original and interesting work that I have seen in a long time. Only read this book if you are tired of reading books from the field of NLP that seem like carbon copies of so many others.

the NLP and feel-good community is very incestuous when it comes to reviews, so I had no idea whether to trust if this was just another NLP book propped up on the shoulders of the reviews by other NLP'ers. If I had seen a review with stupidly blatant attempts at suggestions like, "BY now, you will come to see this book...." (translate: "BUY NOW,..."). well, I would have been discouraged that the presses have turned out more toilet paper.
So, I ordered it with trepidation.

This book rocked. This guy is great. He's earned his irreverence because he comes across as truly caring. This is so refreshing. It was an awesome experience, and that's not to be had with most new books these days.

Very insightful. Good details on the REAL possibilities and problems during
unusual client sessions. I loved the honesty and learning curve of the
therapist. Highly recommended for hypnotists who have some experience but
want to go beyond the basics in understanding the real power of your words.

Andrew paints a picture in every story - reminds the reader what NLP is all about - and practices in a creative and useful way. A delight and a surprise in every story.