Hypnosis: Fact and Fiction - F. L. Marcuse

In Hypnosis: Fact and Fiction, physician and medical historian F. L. Marcuse separates scientific evidence from popular myth in one of the most misunderstood areas of psychology. Drawing on clinical research and the history of hypnotism, Marcuse examines what hypnosis is, how it works, and the extent of its genuine therapeutic value while challenging the sensational claims that have long surrounded the subject.

The book traces the development of hypnotism from the theories of Franz Mesmer through the pioneering work of James Braid, Jean-Martin Charcot and Hippolyte Bernheim, before considering its modern medical and psychological applications. Marcuse discusses hypnosis in relation to suggestion, memory, pain control, psychosomatic disorders and psychotherapy, while also addressing stage hypnosis, alleged mind control and other misconceptions that have contributed to its enduring mystique.

Written for both general readers and students of psychology, Hypnosis: Fact and Fiction provides a balanced and accessible introduction to the science of hypnosis. By combining historical perspective with critical analysis of contemporary research, Marcuse offers a thoughtful guide to a subject that continues to fascinate while remaining widely misunderstood.