Throughout its long history, hypnosis has been employed not only as a medical and psychotherapeutic tool, but also as a spiritual practice and an enduring form of entertainment. Theories about hypnosis, as well as popular ideas about its nature, have been repeatedly championed, rejected, and revived - and in the process have continuously contradicted, influenced, and fed back into one another. Hypnosis: A Brief History examines the social and cultural contexts of the theories, development, and practice of hypnosis, weaving together three narratives: the story of hypnosis as an array of contradictory theories, a set of controversial techniques, and a jumble of colorful ideas unfolding in the popular imagination. This concise and entertaining book crosses disciplinary boundaries to explain current advances and controversies surrounding the use of hypnosis through an exploration of the history of its development.