The Rainbow Machine: Tales from a Neuro-linguist's Journal

" '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!

One tiny quibble is that despite being Austin being English, the book sometimes lapses into American. Does he really use "gotten" in everyday conversation? Maybe he's been over there a lot and it's rubbed off. But you'd have to be a Kingsley Amis character to take that as anything more than a minor irritation.

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!"
~ Written on 2008-05-22

"A rich, fascinating and very amusing collection of stories from his work in hospitals, psychiatric units and with therapy clients.
Andy's unique, insightful, pragmatic and value-based approach to life and work is refreshing. His 'outside the box' creative thinking coupled with NLP makes for a provocative combination.
Includes useful information and great ideas for anyone working with NLP in or out of the therapeutic field.
A rare gem which leaves you asking yourself questions . . . how on earth do Qabalah and NLP fit together . . . and where do rats come in . . .?"
~ Written on 2008-04-05

"Well what can One think but WOW! Can you remember the excitement you first felt on discovering NLP and change-work? Well when you buy this book be prepared to have your excitement, enthusiasm and your life re-ignited better than the first time!

This is genuinely the first book in years that has grabbed my attention through the highly readable device of brilliant true-life stories that positively VIBRATE with cutting edge ideas and the tangible experience of NLP genius Andrew T. Austin.

Funny, charming, insightful, challenging, easy to read and containing more solid-gold information per-sentence than virtually all books in the field - this book inspired me to HAVE A GO, something so few books of dry technique can achieve even after repeated readings. I have already helped my first clients to achieve their goals and dreams and the future looks bright ;)

My life has changed because of this book and that's just one person who bought it. Join the revolution for healthy minds here and now!

Stunning."
~ Written on 2008-01-23

"I have known of Austin's work for many years and am delighted that he has put pen to paper to create this book. This is a highly entertaining read which will be enjoyed by both those interested in Hypnosis and NLP and those who just love to read delightful stories. I especially love the title story "The Rainbow Machine" which is worth the price of the book alone. Its a well written humourous book which I will recommend to both my own NLP students and friends"
~ Written on 2007-11-27

"Whatever your level or level of interest in NLP this book's a must - as it is for anyone who enjoys Robert Anton Wilson. Not a pure training manual as such, but a collection of essays and tales of Austin's own experience.

Never one to follow the 'rules' his approach is certainly different to that of the establishment. However, as effectiveness is the measure of truth, Austin's methods are well worth looking into. And, if nothing else, you'll thoroughly enjoy the read."
~ Written on 2007-11-16