The Amazing Randi, fierce godfather of the hyper-rational skeptics movement, invites young truth-seeker James Plath
to become his personal apprentice. Years later the skeptic's apprentice stumbles upon an ancient mystery so astonishing that it challenges the core beliefs of Randi and the entire skeptical community, compelling the world's greatest minds to question the very nature of reality. Accompanying James on his paradigm popping journey are some of the most eminent thinkers of our times, such as the philosophers Simon Critchley, Daniel Dennett, Douglas Hofstadter, Raymond Smullyan, and Cornel West,
the astonishment artist Paul Harris and the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.
Praise for James Plath’s first book, The Skeptic’s Apprentice:
James Plath, is one with the mystics and those poets who tell us of the great cosmic oneness that is beyond understanding
(or at least beyond words) and that embraces all that exists in some eternal pre- and post-human harmony.
This is an engagingly written and beautiful book. It is full of wit, wisdom, wonder and word play. It is love filled and drunk on a vision of joy for all and everything, drunk on the individuals the author loves and admires
(despite his implicit assertion that they don’t exist!).
-Dr. James E. Falen, Professor Emeritus of Russian, University of Tennessee
Some of the best descriptions of the dream that I've come across!
-Paul Harris, author of The Art of Astonishment
I won't speak too much of the contents of the book, I don't want to spoil anyone's journey.
But I will say that its message will be better met if one keeps not only an open mind, but an open heart, too.
-Roberto Musa Giuliano, translator of La analogia: El motor del pensamiento
I enjoyed the tone, filled with lightness and humor and sparkle. that is why it is easy to read not just once, but twice,
and even more times. i also thought the dream dialogues featuring randi were very funny and provocative.
-dr. douglas hofstadter, distinguisHed professor of cognitive science, indiana university
As he weaves a delightful, colorful take of awakening, the author rightly emphasizes and encourages everyone
to sit in a dark silent room to meditate. He says the only important thing in life is to wake up to our True Self.
That is complete wisdom.
-Richard Shaman, author of Zen Master Within
This is a book about personal journey, the asymptotic pursuit of truth, challenging what the concept of “I” is (or isn’t!),
and befriending the people that shape this worldview…it is funny, witty, and multivalent;
written in a similar tradition as Douglas Hofstadter’s Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid.
Read it. Laugh. Be shocked. Throw it. Be stunned. Be. Then don’t be. You are not.
-Matthew Swieton, University of Otago, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
It's so wonderfully exclamatory! James Plath is clapping his hands and singing for every tatter in his mortal dress.
James Plath has good news and is happily delivering it.
-Dr. Johnny Wink, Professor of English , Ouachita Baptist University
