The Collected Letters of Alan Watts

After his death, the eldest daughters of Alan Watts, Joan Watts and Anne Watts, found amongst his manuscripts, journals, and articles, many copies of correspondence he d had over his life. An eloquent writer of books and journals, he also wrote wonderful letters. Because Watts kept carbon copies of most of his letters, the sisters were able to collect an extraordinary variety of correspondence on a broad range of subject matter, ranging from the very personal, to church and religion, counseling, politics, lifestyle, psychedelics, and societal commentary. A devoted letter writer to his parents in suburban London from the time he first left home for boarding school, Watts continued to write home until his death in 1972 (his father died at 93 a year later). These charming, personal letters to his parents tell the story of the remarkable arc his life took, from a young self-taught religious scholar, to Anglican priest and college chaplain, to Western interpreter of Eastern philosophy, to counterculture icon. In addition, letters to such friends and colleagues as Gary Snyder, Henry Miller, and Joseph Campbell are included, as well philosophical elaborations to the editors of his many books and fellow scholars. Sure to interest the growing number of Watts fans, even over forty years after his death, these letters provide an unparalleled glimpse into the life of one of the most interesting spiritual philosophers of all time."