"The first responsible account of an important, uniquely American happening - worthwhile reading for anyone who wants to piece together the social undercurrents of the '60s"

--Robert Marquand, Christian Science Monitor


"A charming, gossipy multiple biography of the curious gurus who spawned Esalen . . . a complex story, but a sequential one nonetheless, with feuds and psychic shoot-outs, games of capture the flag and smell the roses."

--Arthur Hough, San Francisco Chronicle


"Upstart Spring tells Esalen's riveting, unfinished story - even-handedly, entertainingly, with sympathy, and yet holding little back."

--David Toolan, Commonwealth


"An absolute delight: brimming with juicy gossip, and as carefully crafted as a page-turner novel. And it has substance, the gift of a therapist who also happens to be a cultural historian with a good eye for the telling meta-detail."

--Sandy McDonald, New Age Journal


"Walt Anderson has the requisite experience, humor, and affection (if not detachment, since Esalen teaches, indeed proves, that detachment is a universal impossibility) to carry off a wonderful account."

--Stewart Brand, Co-Evolution Quarterly


"A wonderful read, consistently entertaining on several levels."

--Michael Rossman, Associate for Humanistic Psychology Newsletter


"A superb wrap-up of a notable influence on our popular culture."
--Rita Fink, Pacific Sun