Recommended Reading
Most of the books on this list are available from Anglo-American Books
(books@anglo-american.co.uk Phone +44 1267 211880 Fax +44 1267 211882.)
Frogs into Princes
Richard Bandler & John Grinder
For many people, this is the first NLP book they read. It was the first book to be transcribed from Bandler and Grinder's training seminars. I found I got more out of it once I knew a little about NLP and Hypnosis. It really depends on whether you like transcriptions or not! Very amusing in places.
The Magic of NLP Demystified
Byron Lewis & Frank Pucelik
Probably still the best beginner's guide to NLP. I have it as part of the recommended reading for my practitioner course. Easy to read, introduces you to NLP jargon, without overloading you. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in finding out about NLP.
Unlimited Power
Anthony Robbins
This is one of the best general introductions to NLP, and it doesn't use NLP jargon! It covers most of the main concepts of NLP, and gives examples of how you can apply it in a range of different contexts. It's particularly useful as a book on personal development, and you can recommend it to your clients with confidence.
The Structure of Magic (volumes 1 and 2)
Richard Bandler and John Grinder
A pair of seminal texts, based on Bandler and Grinder's modelling of Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir, with concepts taken from transformational grammar added in for good measure. It describes the 'meta-model' - the model of how we make deletions, distortions and generalisations when we speak, and the questions to ask to get to the real meaning. I've done some linguistics, but the first few times I picked it up I found it rather hard work! Now I know a bit more about NLP I find it really interesting.
Changing belief systems with NLP
Robert Dilts
Robert Dilts is another key figure in the development of NLP. This book covers what beliefs are, how they work and how to change them. There is some tremendously useful material here for coaches and therapists, and for those who are interested in their own personal development.
The NLP Coach
Ian McDermott and Wendy Jago
This is probably most relevant to people who have little or no background in NLP. A coaching friend who is new to NLP read it and said it was both interesting and relevant. You will learn some NLP jargon and techniques, and they are brave enough to talk about the relevance of 'being spiritually alive'.
NLP at Work
Sue Knight
A useful introduction to NLP for people who want to use it specifically in a business context. Written before coaching became fashionable, so it doesn't explicitly cover coaching, although the ideas are applicable. Although she does use some NLP jargon, she does so without letting it get in the way of the ideas she is presenting. Includes a section on 'Managing with NLP'. I sometimes recommend it to business clients.
Leading with NLP
Joseph O'Connor
More about leadership than NLP; ideas and concepts as opposed to techniques. He does introduce some NLP concepts, but doesn't tell you which concepts are taken from NLP and which come from other disciplines. I like the book - just don't expect to learn much about NLP from it. I occasionally recommend it to clients who are interested in leadership.
NLP the new technology of achievement
Steve Andreas and Charles Faulkner
Steve Andreas is another well-known figure in the development of NLP. This describes itself to be a 21 day programme to provide the essential skills you'll need to achieve peak performance. Lots of techniques, NLP terms and exercises. If you like learning techniques from books, you'll probably enjoy this.
The Secret of Creating Your Future
Tad James
This is one of the best introductory books to NLP and Time Line Therapy®, written by the developer of Time Line Therapy®. It is written as a story about Milon the Wizard and guides you through how to use Time Line Therapy® for personal development and goal setting. A great read - short and easy, too! I recommend it to clients.
