A History of Hypnotism

From our regular book review column.

Hypnotism, to this day, remains a forbidding subject for many people, including many professionals who should, at the very least as scientists, have an open mind in their approach to any phenomenon. Those individuals who are interested in learning more about this intriguing subject will find Dr. Gauld’s history a royal avenue into understanding. I have found no work in recent years that is more comprehensive in its treatment of the history of hypnosis in the Western world than this one.