I am an NLP Master Practitioner trained to the highest standards of NLP (as there are some quick and dirty NLP courses around). The science of NLP is to understand the way we think based on modelling other people. This is a method for replicating talent.

NLP, Ericksonian Hypnosis and Psychology are often used in conjunction, hence my interest in this work.

Having read many books in order to enhance my business skills, I must say that this is one of the best works I have read.

Jean-Michel has described something so simple, and yet so evasive to even the best of studies of human sciences. I find it surprising that nobody else has made a review of this outstanding work.

His theory is quite simple. That people mimic each other. His explanations are direct, simple to understand and the book is captivating from cover to cover. It is literally full of "aha" experiences from page to page.

For example, he describes the difference between suggestions and commands. Now that is something I have wanted to know for all of my career. I have written in my sales training manuals my own (what I think is obvious) theories such as "people mirror each other" and that it's a question of "who is mirroring who" and to "take the lead" in mirroring.

Jean-Michel describes the difference between suggestion and command by saying that once a suggestion is carried out, the initial instruction is 'as if it's' forgotten. I won't labour this point, because Jean-Michel has a far better explanation of this.

Jean-Michel concerns the reader by demonstrating that perhaps we aren't free willed, but very much subject to the desires of those that we have rapport with. This includes mass suggestion and mass hysteria, including war.

Jean-Michel describes the more traditional methods of hypnosis, but apparently unknowingly does an eloquent job of explaining the suggestive method of hypnosis popularised by Milton Erickson. He discusses how hypnosis consists of an interdividual relationship using rapport where the self's desire is copied from the others. The hypnotist establishes rapport by copying the hypnotised in this dance of rapport. I.e. influence is a two-way street.

He claims that in hypnosis there are three metaphorical parties involved. The "other self" within the person being hypnotised, the "other self" as the hypnotist and the "original" self that is temporarily put aside. The mimetic nature of the hypnotised integrates interpersonally with the hypnotist. This pattern of copying others is useful for explaining many phenomenon that are otherwise left to the "copied" explanations of priests, psychologists and practitioners of all kinds of phenomenon that society swallows largely unquestioned in the form of paradigm.

He describes the phenomena of post-hypnotic suggestion in reference to psychological time, which he says is the only time that exists for a person anyway. This is a useful metaphor. In this way he also describes suggestion. He links the amnesia with hypnosis with the amnesia of carrying out a suggestion.

He describes desire as something that is copied from other people. Such desire is even demonstrated when one copies a phantom "other" in the case of spirit possession or hysteria and even catatonia. I.e. Hysteria must be demon possession, so the hysteric blasphemes god. This desire is in the form of suggestion. I.e. the hysteric has been led to believe that society believes a good church going person wouldn't behave as such, it must be the devil possessing them. This suggestive ability is further detailed in the section on witchcraft.

Jean Michel discusses the original views of hysteria from Socrates to Freud. He discusses how Jean-Marin Charcot thought that hysteria was a conflict of opposing beliefs in the conscious mind. He then discusses how the demon theory of hysteria was surpassed by Freud's popularisation of the subconscious theory, thereby repressing the theory of hysteria once again to the unknown. He attempts to demystify the subconscious as more conscious than many psychologists care to admit. He discusses the myth that habit is potentially fearful. He demonstrates that rather than having the subconscious as the "other self" inside us, that the "other self" is largely society and/or those that influence us.

In a sense you could say that my opinions in this review are copied opinions of Jean-Michel.

I hope this gives you an idea of what you can look forward to reading in this brilliant book. If you would like to know more about influencing others, then this is the book for you. Another book I can recommend on understanding the unconscious mind is "The origin of consciousness in the breakdown of the bicameral mind". Another classic that gathers dust. I would also recommend books by Milton Erickson. If you are in sales you can't go better than Tom Hopkins classic "How to master the art of selling". I would suggest reading books on NLP, but I have found that NLP is truly an art that requires patience and a lot of training and practice to be practical to those of us who aren't therapists.

Dependable Sage publications once again provides a classic reference volume with insights and guidance from classic authors/researchers in research methods.

As an authorized biography, and one written in collaboration (before her death) with Webb's daughter, it's not surprising that this volume is both informative of the minutiae of Webb's life and is almost completely uncritical of the man, his working methods, his relationships, and his works.

More annoying is the very poor organization. Facts are presented with little relationship to each other, and very little of a negative or human nature is passed along. Chronology is more or less tossed out the window. Particular works are referred to out of order, and rarely is much detail given about the shows themselves, or Webb's creative choices. Anecdotes are chock-a-block with each other, with paragraphs inserted, apparently at random, of laundry lists of Webb's cars, or his favorite foods.

Excessive space is given to mini-biographies of some of the major players in Webb's life -- and contributors to the book. Do we really need to know the genesis of Bobby Troup's "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" in a biography of Jack Webb?

The book's notes and bibliography are extensive, and it's clear the authors had good access to any number of important people. I only wish they had done a better job of giving us a better organized work, and had taken a more analytical approach to Webb and his work, rather than a 280-page press release of his life.

In his famous role as Joe Friday on the syndicated television series Dragnet, as well as later TV classics Adam-12 and Emergency, Jack Webb has become a beloved figure to more than one generations. This authorized biography, for which author Dan Moyer spent years working with Webb's daughter Stacy to research her father's life, describes Jack Webb's life from a hard childhood to an early radio career and finally stardom. Revealing Jack Webb as an artist personality whose passion for his craft sometimes caused problems in his relationship, Just The Facts, Ma'am: The Authorized Biography Of Jack Webb shows the humanity, triumphs, and foibles behind a well-known cult figure.

As one of Jack Webb's Mark VII and "Adam-12" producers, I want to applaud the authors for writing, "Just the Facts, Ma'am. The Authorized Biography of Jack Webb." The book, among many subjects, includes interesting information about Webb's talented and beautiful first wife Julie London and her second husband, jazz great Bobby Troup. The book brought other treasured memories back to me, such as my being the best man at Webb's marriage to the beautiful Jackie Loughery, Miss USA and the leading lady in Webb's film, "The D.I." Webb's daughter Stacy greatly contributed to this book and I was pleased to assist and advise the authors in the completion of this work. Much attention is given to Jack's radio days, and his TV "Dragnet," "Adam-12," "Emergency," and many other Mark VII projects many persons know little about. The book covers all of Webb's movies, and offers personal and unknown insights about Jack Webb. Numerous photographs were generously offered by Jack's closet family members and friends. They along with the story documentation, and chronology of Webb's life enhance this much needed biography of one of Hollywood's most innovative film pioneers. I highly recommend this authorized biography, and accurate book about my friend and television legend-Jack Webb. "Just the Fact's, Ma'am" is an enjoyable and enlightening read.