Customer Reviews

The Secrets of Magic

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This book, published in 1998, though very valuable in itself [cf. my previous review], is superseded by its much expanded new version under a different title, Communication Magic, released in 2001 (335 pages). If you don't intend to read Michael Hall's numerous publications right away, it is better not to buy them yet. True to the spirit of NLP, he constantly updates his writings and you get revised editions just in two or three years.

Those who are familiar with NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming), esp. with the language patterns of the Meta-Model, or Bandler and Grinder's The Structure of Magic, will find this book fascinating and challenging. Michael Hall has made in-depth studies of linguistics and NLP. He is comprehensive in his search and coverage. The very brief mention of levels in Meta-model by Lankton in 1980, McMaster and Grinder's Precision Model have all been included here.

It is amazing to find Hall standing on the shoulders of the pioneers and predecessors, critically summarizing past achievements and creatively integrating and expanding them. He lives NLP in going to the underlying or meta thinking processes. 9 additional distinctions have been added to the 13 usual patterns of the Metal-model to make up 22 patterns.

The contrast between Korzybski's Non-Aristotelian General Semantics and Aristotle's Laws of thought (identity, contradiction and excluded middle) is very significant. It helps to know that NLP is another non-Aristotelian system (pp. 105-106) . But what guides our choice of which system to follow? Is it just a pragmatic choice? Can we go deeper into the basis and cognitive processes of our choices?

All the "Sleight of Mouth" reframing patterns are summarized as Conversational Magic. The last chapter on "Magic Beyond Words" honors Vol. II of The Structure of Magic on sensory representational systems and multiple maps.

The book truly represents the spirit of NLP, a spirit of inquiry that continually renews whatever has been achieved. It should be required reading for anyone interested in the use of language and construction of maps for change. Do not skip the illuminating appendices and charts. [Examples of Nominalizations on page 67 do not seem to fit. I can't find any nominalization in "People always push me around." Or "Everybody feels that way sometimes." They are Universal Quantifiers.]

An index in the revised edition would help. [My copy was published in 1998. 240 pages.]

L Michael Hall has done a good job developing Bandler and Grinder original NLP book. All his books are serious affairs ( contrast Bandler) but are valuable additions to the field, which is more than can be said of many of the recent publications. You probably need some knowledge before embarking on this book so don`t jump straight in.

I found Mr. Halls book to be very informative. Being sort of new to NLP, I was glad to have found a text that introduced me so thoroughly to the entire concept of Meta Models. I would recommend it very highly as an addition to anyones NLP library.