I can’t recall how I learned of this book. I had put it on the Recommended Purchase list, so I was one of the first to read it from our library.
Leah Sottile is a Pacific Northwest author whose work has been published in Rolling Stone, the New York Times, the Washington Post and other publications. This is her second book.
The Blazing Eye Sees All is the story of a New Age group – cult if you prefer – led by Amy Carlson. Carlson leveraged the stories of various alternative beliefs and the power of social media to bring together people who believed that she was Mother God. Like many other groups of this type, it’s a sad tale of people trying to find answers and finding misfortune instead.
Sottile weaves the history of Spiritualism, Theosophy, and other New Age religions throughout the book. Her ability to summarize and explain the history is impressive. If you’re new to this, it’s a great starting point for further exploration. Most of the characters were known to me. However I was fascinated with the chapters on JZ Knight who is still firmly ensconced in nearby Yelm, Washington. I was aware of her but hadn’t paid much attention.
I found the book to be engaging and enjoyable. If a dive into a New Age cult appeals then put Blazing Eye Sees All on your list.
