24 Books On Neuro-Linguistic Programming You Need To Read

Books on the subject are a good place to start for anyone exploring the benefits of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and learning more about the practice. 

1.  The Big Book of NLP Expanded: 350+ Techniques, Patterns, and Strategies of Neuro-Linguistic Programming – Shlomo Vaknin, Marina Schwarts 

The Big Book of NLP Expanded contains a plethora of information on the subject that can assist beginners in familiarizing themselves with the practice. The Big Book offers readers an overview of a vast quantity of different NLP techniques. This includes some of the most popular and fundamental ones, such as Swish Pattern and The Phobia Cure. 

What sets this book apart, however, is that it is not satisfied with sticking to the basics. It also delves into deeper and more complicated techniques, such as the Nested Loop Method. This makes The Big Book of NLP an exceptional companion on your journey to learning about Neuro-Linguistic Programming.  

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2.  NLP Workbook: A Practical Guide to Achieving the Results You Want – Joseph O’Connor  

The NLP Workbook is a How-to guide to basic NLP fundamentals that are essential for any beginner. However, it is crucial not to understate the importance of these basic elements, as even skilled NLP practitioners must remember the basics well to use their techniques. 

In this regard, O’Connor’s NLP Workbook is a seminal work that can help teach you how to shift your thinking, control your emotional state and practice NLP exercises. Thus, it is an excellent fit for one’s first NLP read.  

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3.  NLP at Work: The Essence of Excellence – Sue Knight 

As one of the eminent authors in the field, Sue Knight’s NLP at Work: The Essence of Excellence is an excellent read due to its focus on specific themes throughout the book. Every new chapter brings in a new element that is important for NLP, thus allowing the reader to differentiate between concepts and focus on one at a time. 

This approach to writing has an obvious benefit to beginners as it simplifies the fundamentals. However, even avid practitioners can benefit from the clarity of thought Knight expresses in this piece.   

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4.  Phobia Relief: From Fear to Freedom – Kalliope Barlis 

Phobia Relief: From Fear to Freedom is a practical application of NLP techniques rather than an exploration of the theoretical models that underpin this way of living. Throughout the book, Barlis focuses on one distinct application of NLP techniques: to rid oneself of irrational fears. 

Although the author concedes that human beings are born with some fears that are simply natural; loud noises and falling. She argues that the rest are learned behaviors and can be demonstrably removed through the proper use and application of NLP techniques as instructed in the book. If you struggle with irrational fears, this read is worth a shot.

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5.  NLP: Neuro-Linguistic Programming: The 10 Most Powerful Tools to Re-Program Your Behavior and Maximize Your Potential – Derren Myles 

Derren Myle’s book is the NLP equivalent of a surgical scalpel that seeks to reach the heart of the issue that causes individuals to seek out NLP in the first place. Whether it’s a lack of confidence, a preponderance of bad habits, or learned behavioral loops, this book tries to identify the issues the reader is experiencing. 

This allows for accurate troubleshooting and allows readers to better resolve the specific problems they face. Due to this specified approach, the book avoids a lot of unnecessary repetition and saves readers’ time by allowing them to learn the sort of intervention and NLP techniques they require.  

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6.  Unlimited Memory: How To Use Advanced Learning Strategies to Learn Faster, Remember More, and Be More Productive – Kevin Horsley 

If you struggle to absorb enough information at the rates required to keep up with work or school, this book is a suitable option. Additionally, there is a charm in being able to learn new information quicker than most other people and, indeed, the older version of yourself. Kevin Horsley’s offering helps you do just that. 

This book aims to improve performance in learning-oriented tasks so that your brain becomes more proficient at absorbing new information and picking up new skills. This is particularly relevant in the modern world, where one can be bombarded with heaps of information and be left to figure it out for themselves. 

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7.  Magic in Practice: Introducing Medical NLP – Garner Thomson, Khalid Khan 

Thomson and Khan approach NLP from a less frequently discussed side, that is, from the perspective of its medical benefits. The authors provide pathways and techniques through which individuals can use fundamental NLP skills to improve their medical situation. 

Although, of course, the book is not meant to be a replacement for medical treatment, it acts as a supplemental auxiliary in recovery and general health. You will be surprised if you go in with your expectations in check. 

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8.  Beliefs: Pathways to Health and Well-Being – Robert Dilts, Tim Hallbom, Suzi Smith 

Dilts, Halllborn, and Smith embark on an interesting journey in this book as they explore NLP’s effects on a person’s physical health and well-being. This differentiates this book from other offerings because rather than focusing on mental changes and impacts of NLP.

Beliefs: Pathways to Health and Well-being seeks to understand the impacts of NLP on the physical body. Irrespective of whether you want to improve your physical well-being or are simply looking for an interesting read, this offering ticks both boxes. 

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9.  Trance-Formations: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Structure of Hypnosis – John Grinder, Richard Bandler 

Another entry that takes a specialized look at a specific aspect of NLP, Trance-Formations by Grinder and Bandler, delves into the link between NLP and states of hypnosis. Due to this, the book uncovers relationships that might pass by the ordinary NLP practitioner. 

Moreover, it also provides information that can help individuals use NLP and hypnosis in tandem to improve their own lives and those of the people around them. If you have ever shared an interest in hypnosis, then this read is what you are looking for.

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10.  Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins 

Robbins’s contribution to the practice of NLP has been unparalleled, with a trove of books written by him on the subject, including bestsellers. Awaken the Giant Within is another entry that seeks to help individuals become the best and strongest version of themselves. 

Rather than focus on a specific niche or criteria, this book offers actionable points that anyone wishing to achieve a better position can seek to integrate within their daily behaviors and routine. This helps make the offering a cross between a discussion of NLP and a self-help book that ambitious readers will likely enjoy. 

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11.  The User’s Guide to Sleight of Mouth: How To Unleash the Magic of Language to Persuade Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere – Doug O’Brien

There is a strong and intertwined connection between NLP practices and the ability to convince and persuade other people. This is because being an NLP practitioner offers one more awareness regarding the words they use and how they use them. 

This offering by O’Brien uses this fact to help you become a better negotiator and more persuasive in daily conversation.  

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12.  Magic Words and Language Patterns: The Hypnotist’s Essential Guide to Crafting Irresistible Suggestions – Karen Hand, Jess Marion 

As discussed earlier, there is a strong relationship between speaking and NLP and hypnosis and NLP. This book by Hand and Marion is a marriage of these two ways of approaching NLP as it provides readers with the avenue to take the best parts of both worlds and use them for persuasion. 

The book seeks to teach readers skills that are not exactly hypnosis but not just speech. Rather, they lie in a happy middle that can help you achieve greater success in your daily life. 

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13.  Metaphors We Live By – George Lakoff, Mark Johnson 

Metaphors We Live By is a specialized NLP book that delves into a specific aspect of the human psyche. These are metaphors. Throughout the work, Lakoff and Johnson persuasively argue that metaphors are a primary building block of human experience. 

Due to this fact, the authors argue for the efficacy of using NLP techniques paired with metaphors to persuade others and hence be more effective regarding various daily applications and requirements.   

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14.  How To Take Charge of Your Life: The User’s Guide to NLP – Richard Bandler, Owen Fitzpatrick 

One of the more influential works in the NLP practice, How to Take Charge of Your Life, does exactly as the title suggests. This masterpiece by Bandler and Fitzpatrick casts aside idle talk of abstract theories to instead focus on building a plan for one’s life to regain the initiative and go through life on your terms. 

What’s crucial is that this book does not promise mastery of NLP. Rather, it offers the chance to live the way you want to.  

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15.  Mind Lines: Lines for Changing Minds – Bob G. Bodenhamer and L. Michael Hall 

Perhaps the most specialized exploration of neurological language patterns on this list, Mind Lines by Bodenhamer and Hall, seeks to take a systemic look at how these psychological phenomena operate. 

Rather than deal with abstracts and broad-level ideas, this book details meta-states and how words can be worked to turn them into near-magic at convincing others so that you can be a much better negotiator and persuaded.  

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16.  Frogs Into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming – Richard Bandler, John Grinder 

One of the oldest works on this list, Frogs Into Princes, is a seminal work in the world of NLP because it established and codified much of the knowledge and understanding of NLP that subsequent generations of researchers have built up over the decades. 

Although, if you are an avid explorer of NLP, this book likely does not contain many new things given that it is the foundation upon which many others are built, it is still an interesting and worthwhile read, particularly due to its relative brevity.   

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17.  Persuasion Engineering – Richard Bandler and John LaValle 

Continuing the theme of Persuasion, LaValle and Bandler’s offering seeks to make convincing using NLP more accessible and easier for readers. This is done through a systemized technique structure that can be incorporated into one’s behavior patterns. 

Moreover, the easy-to-understand and clear writing style gives this book an edge over other reads as it asks less of its readers, making it more accessible to more people. It is a great read for someone looking to better understand NLP persuasion techniques but not be overwhelmed. 

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18.  The Structure of Magic, Vol. I and II – Richard Bandler 

Bandler’s The Structure of Magic is a more scientific view at NLP than other offerings. This is especially impressive because this is also one of the oldest works on this list. The work seeks to understand how humans structure thoughts by creating inner models of the outside world. 

Thus, by taking this scientific line, the book offers insights into the nature of the human psyche that others in the same genre do not. 

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19.  Core Transformation: Reaching the Wellspring Within – Connirae Andreas 

Rather than pushing you towards quick change and abrupt lifestyle decisions, Andreas offers a different method to integrating NLP into one’s life. 

Instead, this book posits a slower and more organic change so that the behavioral differences before and after the integration of NLP are integrated deep into who you are rather than the conscious actions you take. This streamlines the entire process and might make it easier to retain the lessons learned.  

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20.  NLP: The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming – Susan Sanders, Tom Dotz, and Tom Hoobyar

The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming is exactly what the name suggests. This book by Sanders, Dotz, and Hoobyar acts as a quick start guide for someone looking to learn all the basics and important facts regarding applying NLP. 

It is far from an exhaustive book on NLP. However, that is not an issue, as what it lacks in specialization, it makes up for by being broad and informative.  

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21.  Words That Change Minds: Mastering the Language of Influence – Shelle Rose Charvet 

Charvet’s book is a unique take on the application of persuasive NLP. Instead of espousing the approach that directly seeks to convince people outright, this book instead puts forth a method that gently influences an individual to behave or think in a certain way. Essentially, this application of NLP allows people to be persuaded without knowing that their mind on something is being changed. 

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22.  Transformational NLP: A New Psychology – Carl Buchheit and Ellie Schamber, PhD 

Buchheit and Schamber present NLP from a light that is uniquely their own. Although this book may have a niche audience that it appeals to, what it does bring forth is substantial. The authors offer a psychological and modern perspective on the nature of NLP and its influence on a person. 

Additionally, the book is chock full of information that will assist you in better making sense of your NLP journey and understanding the fundamentals of what’s going on.  

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23.  Business NLP for Dummies – Lynne Cooper 

Perhaps the holy grail of any NLP practitioner is to successfully apply the skills and techniques learned to achieve success, whether reputational or monetary. You can achieve both by applying NLP skills to your business life and business dealings. 

In Business NLP for Dummies, Cooper provides readers with methods to use skills learned through NLP and use them in business practices to achieve better results. 

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24.  Unlimited Selling Power – Donald Moine and Kenneth Lloyd

Once more, unlimited selling power combines lessons learned through business NLP and persuasion NLP to form a magnum opus of persuasive techniques to sell merchandise, pitches, and, perhaps most crucially, ideas. 

By familiarizing yourself with this book’s contents, you can gain tremendous success and influence in the business world and daily life. 

Take Your Learning Further With Neuro-Linguistic Programming Training 

If the ideas discussed in this article piqued your interest, but you feel like books might not be the right medium or need something more interactive, there are better options for you. 

A few stand out above the rest in their efficacy among a plethora of other mediums. Consider the Neuro-Linguistic Programming Training. Instead of reading a book, you can interact with and learn from a certified professional to bring yourself and your career to the next level.