Title: NLP Workbook
Author: Joseph O’Connor
Publisher: Thorsons, 2001
ISBN: 0007100035
Price: £12.99

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The NLP Workbook seeks to explain the principles of NLP, the basic NLP techniques and how and when to use them, in one comprehensive guide. The author, Joseph O’Connor explains that the book started life as the manual for his NLP practitioner course, which has been transformed in to this workbook for the individual.

The book begins with a couple of chapters which set the scene and explain the principles of NLP, along with a very informative chapter which explains how we learn.

Then comes the essence of the workbook. There are detailed chapters with exercises and action points relating to the following topics: Relationship, The Senses, Emotional State, Inside The Mind, Strategies, Language, The Meta Model, The Milton Model, Metaphor, Writing, Understanding and Framing followed by the important chapter entitled "Putting It All Together".

I found that this was a good all round NLP resource although the first few chapters really did feel like the introduction to a formal training course and would have been better absorbed in this environment. I was conscious of wanting to get to the "exciting" practical part of the workbook, which surprised me somewhat as I usually enjoy the theory before the practical!

This resource has some nice interactive touches, such as suggesting the watching of various films to highlight points about communication and interaction with others, plus it contains a good list of NLP resources that
the reader can refer to for further information.

I had a very basic understanding of NLP before reading this workbook, and am confident that I now have a better understanding with which to practice the various techniques. I would certainly recommend this as a "dip-in" resource for those involved in Personnel & Development but feel that only a real enthusiast would want to read the whole book cover to cover in order to see the bigger picture, as suggested by the author. Trainers could certainly use and adapt the techniques within this workbook for inclusion in their programmes.

There are currently a wide range of NLP books and resources available for the individual, and because of the language and concepts introduced in this workbook I feel that it is definitely more suited to a Trainer or HR Professional (or related discipline) rather than an interested individual
who wants a resource for self-improvement.

Overall, this is a very comprehensive resource with a pleasing style and detailed content. I would be happy to recommend this resource to a colleague or student wishing to learn more about NLP.

Gillian Morris
HR Manager
Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority