Hypnosis at its Bicentennial: Selected Papers - Historical

In this review of Hypnosis at its Bicentennial: Selected Papers, the reviewer finds a focused collection best suited to students, clinicians and historians who want a concise sense of how hypnosis regained professional momentum after World War II. The single biggest reason to consider this volume is its documentation of the field's institutional growth and renewed research activity, making it a useful snapshot of the mid- to late-20th century revival. The book reads like a curated set of scholarly perspectives rather than a how-to manual, so readers seeking practical therapy exercises should look elsewhere.

Key Features

• Historical focus: Essays trace the resurgence of clinical and experimental interest in hypnosis following World War II, offering useful context for contemporary practice.
• Research emphasis: The collection highlights the growth of systematic research across institutions, which helps readers understand methodological trends in the field.
• Congress history: The papers reference the tradition of triennial world congresses, anchoring the material in an international professional conversation.
• Scholarly selection: Curated papers provide a concentrated overview rather than an exhaustive textbook, making it manageable for focused reading.
• Professional relevance: The volume connects clinical literature expansion with infrastructure development, of interest to practitioners examining the field's maturation.

Who It's For

Hypnosis at its Bicentennial will appeal to graduate students in psychology and counseling, historians of medicine and clinicians who want a concise, scholarly review of how hypnosis regained prominence after the mid-20th century. Readers who value documentation of professional institutions, research patterns and the history of international congresses will find the book particularly useful.

Those seeking a practical manual of hypnotic techniques, step-by-step therapy protocols or contemporary empirical meta-analyses should look elsewhere; this volume is primarily historical and reflective rather than a clinical workbook.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear historical account of the resurgence in hypnosis research and clinical interest after World War II.
• Connects the rise of clinical literature with development of professional infrastructure, useful for context-aware practitioners.
• Concise, curated papers make it a manageable read for students and researchers short on time.

Cons

• Not a practical guide to clinical techniques, so clinicians seeking hands-on instruction will need supplemental resources.

Specifications

Title	Hypnosis at its Bicentennial: Selected Papers
Author / Editor	F. H. Frankel
Subject	History of hypnosis, clinical and experimental resurgence
Scope	Selected scholarly papers documenting postwar developments
Context	Includes discussion of international congresses and institutional growth
Audience	Students, clinicians, historians of psychology and counseling

Our Verdict

Hypnosis at its Bicentennial is a well-chosen collection for anyone researching the historical resurgence of hypnosis and the institutional forces that sustained it. It delivers strong contextual value and curated scholarship, making it good value for students and professionals who want historical perspective rather than clinical instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book teach clinical hypnotic techniques?
Answer. No; the volume focuses on historical and research developments rather than step-by-step therapeutic methods.

Who edited the collection?
Answer. The book is presented under the authorship/editorship of F. H. Frankel, who curated the selected papers.

Is the material international in scope?
Answer. Yes; the review notes the role of triennial international congresses and worldwide institutional research in the field's resurgence.