The Angle Quickest for Flight

by Steven Kotler

In The Angle Quickest for Flight, a quintet of eccentric metaphysicians searches for a sacred book looted during the Spanish Inquisition and tithed to the Vatican. Steven Kotler’s first novel, which received acclaim from masters such as John Barth, moves with dizzying power across continents and epochs, weaving a multilayered narrative around secret societies, mad magicians, and a runaway boy named Angel.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and co-founder and director of research for the Flow Genome Project. His books include the non-fiction works "The Rise of Superman," "Abundance," "A Small Furry Prayer" "West of Jesus," and the novel "The Angle Quickest for Flight." His work has been translated into more than 30 languages. His articles have appeared in over 60 publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Wired, GQ, Outside, Popular Science, Men's Journal and Discover.

He also writes "Far Frontiers," a blog about technology and innovation for Forbes.com and "The Playing Field," a blog about the science of sport and culture for PsychologyToday.com.

He lives in New Mexico with his wife, the author Joy Nicholson.

Reviews

[Lesley C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book, then turned back to the first page and started again, unwilling for the dream to end!

[Lee F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you value and become captivated by great writing? Turns of phrase that hold you - stop you - and make you see your world differently.

"How much of the magic in our lives do we really notice? Amo asked him on the day they met. How much is our own fantasy? How often does our desire call to empty rooms that will never fill with gods?" p243

There are so many sentences that I needed to reread...and savor the beauty of the words. The group of men gathering together, searching for mystical readings, and meeting danger. Kotler's writing is remarkable. Just remarkable.

[Gary D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may be about something profound, or we are fooled into thinking so by the poor spelling of common words. I think I will always remember the porch that "creeked" in the wind...

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cast of book thieves and mystics try to steal a book from the Vatican. Beautiful writing.

[Charlie Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Not compelling.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of adventurers break into the Vatican to to steal a rare book from a secret vault. The plot is good, but there are too many characters, and the author takes too long getting there. I love Steven Kotler’s writing though. I was willing to be patient as he moved his army of characters through the book. Along the way he shares some rare tidbits from Kabbalarian mysticism.

[David Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pointless and poorly written.