Perspective

The perspective of the book is autobiographical. This works very well in giving a sense of credibility to the often unbelievable and incredible material of the book. Wilson is clear that he is not asking the reader to believe anything. His personal perspective is agnostic, though he deals with many ancient religious faiths, as well as Catholic Christianity. Wilson's perspective is one of cultural relativity. He does not aim for any absolute truths, but instead looks at events from as many cultural standpoints as possible.

Despite an attempt at an empirical scientific perspective, Wilson's book is quite shocking. Wilson with his collaborator Timothy Leary believes that mind-altering drug use can have very positive effects. Leary's theory is that mind-altering drugs are a necessary tool to enable people to change their desires and personalities. Leary first uses such drugs on prisoners in the Concord, Massachusetts prison. Leary insists that...