If you're hoping to discover a way to integrate NLP methods into coaching, you're going to need a lot more than this book. I'm not sure exactly what audience I could recommend this to. There are lots of other coaching titles out there that are readable and enjoyable as well as informative. If you're not already well versed in NLP this one's certainly going to be neither.
Usually what I have found with NLP practitioners / books is a desire to control reality (their own or someone else's) - this book is no exception. It provides numerous examples of how to typecast the coachee, control the coaching session and structure your business using NLP techiques - in contrast to something that provides an awareness of how to honour and respect the client, where they're at, how they experience the world and what they truly and deeply want. (For example, like many NLP books, this book uses the popular NLP technique of modelling someone else - which is in contrast to - empowering - a client to find their own sense of self and their own unique way of expression in the world)
It would be very difficult for a newcomer to apply the techniques outlined in this book and I would be very concerned if someone tried to do so without coaching training, supervison or at the very least participation in an NLP course - if this is your preferred model. I find most books are essentially a representation of the author's belief system, or at least the representation of reality they use for operating in the world. When reading this book I think it is important to have a good sense of descrimination when using the information, something a newcomer to the industry may not have quite developed.
Several points in the book concern me. For instance the author recommends getting testamonials from clients or friends and "If you are uncomfortable with this apporach, surf the internet and use the general quotes that feature in many coaching sites." The section on spiral dynamics is, in my opinion, poor. It is an interpretation (which the author acknowledges) of the work of Beck and Cowan ["Spiral Dynamics"] which ITSELF is to some extent an interpretation of the work of Dr Clare Graves. I would encourage readers to go to as close to the source as possible. This book again encourages the typecasting of people at various levels of the spiral and ways in which to deal with, understand and motivate them. The book constantly refers to the 'thinking' style of people at each of the levels, which even Beck and Cowan have said is not what Spiral dynamics is about. Readers who have read "Spiral Dyanmics" and done some degree of inner work will be very surprised at the representations and use of the theory that are made in this book.
The book does contain some basic information about starting a coaching practice that may be useful to the reader and a list of questions to use in a session that may be useful, however, this is a relatively minor part of the book and these can be found in other books. I do think there is a little value in some of the points in the book, although I'm really struggling to extract it.
In summary, this is a very basic book on coaching, it will be very difficult for a novice reader to apply and I would be concerned if people were using some of the methods described within this book. While I'm pressed to think of any 'great' books on coaching, there are certainly much better books around.
Divided into two sections, with each chapter summerised you are firstly guided into becoming a successful life coach, and then more advanced coaching skills such as Rapport skills, Matters of State and Spiral Coaching are contained in the second section.
It is clear, consise and totally communicates the authors belief that "life coaching is a holistic process that has the power to balance and harmonise life."
Ideal as a technical reference tool, it also contains analogies, anecdotes and real life cases to enable you to progress and become effective .
A must have for the serious life coach.