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