Aldous Huxley had planned to write an autobiography. Sadly, he didn't feel up to the task after his papers were destroyed by fire in 1961. Fortunately, David King Dunaway has attempted to fill this gap by creating an oral history of Aldous Huxley. He spent years tracking down and interviewing Aldous Huxley's friends and family. The result is some 900 pages of transcripts now archived at the Huntington Library and this 224-page book.

Overall, I found this book to be delightful reading. The recorded memories are very personal, yet also very informative and full of insights into Huxley's personality, his spiritual journey and his work. Although the interviews focus a little too much on Huxley's personal relationships, they are far less gossipy than one would expect -- the contributors clearly loved and admired this remarkable man. When Huxley's weaknesses and flaws are discussed, it is always with compassion. These recorded memories have a sincere and authentic ring to them that just isn't there in Laura Huxley's memoir, THIS TIMELESS MOMENT (although that book is also interesting and enjoyable). In this book, one learns that Huxley psychologically blocked all memories of his mother who died when he was fourteen, that he lost his eyesight at age sixteen and that, at age 22 he married a unique 17 year-old girl whose love, attention and altruism shaped his life and work for the next 35 years. When recollecting Huxley after the death of his first wife, Maria, and his second marriage to Laura Archera, some of the interviews take on a dramatic change in tone. Several of Huxley's close friends hinted at their distrust and dislike of Laura Huxley. One acquaintance admittedly withdrew from Huxley as a result of the antipathy. Laura Huxley's memories become somewhat defensive. It is interesting to contrast her account here with that contained in her own memoir.

The final chapter is devoted to interviews of some two dozen Huxley scholars throughout the world. Highly recommended reading.

Mr. Dunaway's writing is giving me a feel for the 1920s, '30s, 40s, and the parts of the '50s that I don't have my own clear memories of. By telling me the story of Pete Seeger, he's also told me parts of the story of my parents' childhood. I'm half-way through my first reading of this (library) book and have decided to get my very own copy.

"Huxley in Hollywood" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy."

A terrific book on the meaning of writing & how some writers' go about it. Joy Harjo, Barbara Kingsolver, Edward Abbey, Alberto Rios -- these are writers with depth and some remarkable things to say. Part bio, part political, part inspiration, it's one of those books I've read way more than once.