In Search of Stones by M Scott Peck

In Search of Stones: A Pilgrimage of Faith, Reason, and Discovery by M Scott Peck took me a peculiarly long time to read because I was reading it slowly, savoring the chapters one at a time rather than rushing through in haste. And this collection of essays merits a gradual reading for it is layered in meaning and intent.

On the surface, the book is one man’s trip with his wife through parts of England and Scotland, exploring the countryside, suffering through inclement weather and not so stellar hotels, and discovering a passion for megaliths. Throughout the pages, the reader gets an intimate view into Dr Peck’s personal life without sinking into the salacious details of his relationships. He shares his imperfections as a husband and father never once going into facts that might compromise the privacy of his wife or children.

On another level, this book is also a collection of travelogue essays, describing the trip with an almost “wish you were here” allure that would make nearly anyone wish they could hustle over and explore the areas described for themselves. Sprinkled with gorgeous drawings, done by the author’s son, the content shares enough to make even the most surprising somehow familiar and the least comforting a temptation.

But on the most profound level, this is a collection of thoughts and ideas from a man who has made a career out of thinking and then presenting his ideas in the form of books, lectures, and even the creation of an organization meant to fulfill an ambitious vision he has for global society.

Whether he’s talking about aging, addiction, art, or any of the other topics he applies to each day’s leg of the journey, Peck allows himself a curious tone that while protesting humility still manages to come across as arrogant. I doubt that he himself would deny the assessment and I can’t say that I blame him. While fully aware of his blessed and even privileged life’s experiences, he exposes himself as flawed.

In fact, this is possibly the most intimate and personal text Peck has written, although I have not read everything he’s written. Because of his remarkable success as a writer, his best-selling The Road Less Traveled breaking records by staying on the New York Times list longer than any other book of its time, it is inevitable that he has become nearly iconic. In the pages of In Search of Stones, Professor Peck purposefully steps down from the pedestal upon which his readers have probably placed him. However, because he is so eloquent and knowledgeable, he practically climbs up to place himself on a new platform.

This book is not light reading, but then none of his books really are. Although I didn’t always agree with what he had to say, I enjoyed reading his ideas. His words are provocative and, in spite of his protestations, he is to be admired for the work he did through the written word.