The Surfer and the Sage

Reviews / Votes

"Some great insights into riding the waves of life. If you surf, read this book. If you don't surf, read this book."-Carissa Moore, surfing Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion

"Open-minded surfers will want to catch this wave." -Publishers Weekly
"World champion surfer and inspirational author Shaun Tomson has done it again!

His most recent project is a beautiful, little gem of a book titled The Surfer and the Sage which he co-wrote with Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet-philosopher, Noah benShea. Here at {pages} a bookstore in Manhattan Beach, CA we are proudly displaying and handselling this book to Dads, Grads, and all who are looking for a positive, uplifting missive about facing one's challenges, embracing life's gifts, and seeing the beauty and good out there. The message, the photos, the stories, and the package combine to make this a winner! For surfers and non-surfers alike!!"-Linda McLoughlin Figel, Pages Bookstore



Praise for Noah benShea:

"The insights in Noah benShea's work will benefit and transform all who read it."-Deepak Chopra, international best-selling author and physician
"Noah benShea is a wise and compassionate man. His writings have touched me deeply. I highly recommend his work!"-Jack Canfield, best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series
"Noah benShea is a national treasure!"-US Representative (CA) Lois Capps
"It's a very nice thing to have an old friend who is full of wit and wisdom. For me, that friend is Noah benShea."-Sandy Koufax, Baseball Hall of Fame
"Noah benShea is the Compass because he has, with wit, compassion, and humor, helped so many of us to find our way."-Larry King, CNN
"Noah benShea has elevated the human spirit to great heights with his wisdom." -Howard Schultz, executive chairman, Starbucks
"I am proud to have Noah benShea in my life. He is a spiritual, inspirational, and insightful man. Everyone needs a friend like Noah."-Herbert Simon, chairman emeritus, Simon Property Group, Inc., owner of the Indiana Pacers, and chairman, Kirkus Reviews
"Noah benShea is a welcome source of compassion and humble wisdom." -Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster "Some great insights into riding the waves of life. If you surf, read this book. If you don't surf, read this book."
-Carissa Moore, surfing Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion

Praise for Noah benShea:

"The insights in Noah benShea's work will benefit and transform all who read it."
-Deepak Chopra, international best-selling author and physician
"Noah benShea is a wise and compassionate man. His writings have touched me deeply. I highly recommend his work!"
-Jack Canfield, best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series
"Noah benShea is a national treasure!"
-US Representative (CA) Lois Capps
"It's a very nice thing to have an old friend who is full of wit and wisdom. For me, that friend is Noah benShea."
-Sandy Koufax, Baseball Hall of Fame
"Noah benShea is the Compass because he has, with wit, compassion, and humor, helped so many of us to find our way."
-Larry King, CNN
"Noah benShea has elevated the human spirit to great heights with his wisdom."
-Howard Schultz, executive chairman, Starbucks
"I am proud to have Noah benShea in my life. He is a spiritual, inspirational, and insightful man. Everyone needs a friend like Noah."
-Herbert Simon, chairman emeritus, Simon Property Group, Inc., owner of the Indiana Pacers, and chairman, Kirkus Reviews
"Noah benShea is a welcome source of compassion and humble wisdom."
-Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster "Some great insights into riding the waves of life. If you surf, read this book. If you don't surf, read this book."-Carissa Moore, surfing Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion

"Open-minded surfers will want to catch this wave." -Publishers Weekly

Praise for Noah benShea:

"The insights in Noah benShea's work will benefit and transform all who read it."-Deepak Chopra, international best-selling author and physician
"Noah benShea is a wise and compassionate man. His writings have touched me deeply. I highly recommend his work!"-Jack Canfield, best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series
"Noah benShea is a national treasure!"-US Representative (CA) Lois Capps
"It's a very nice thing to have an old friend who is full of wit and wisdom. For me, that friend is Noah benShea."-Sandy Koufax, Baseball Hall of Fame
"Noah benShea is the Compass because he has, with wit, compassion, and humor, helped so many of us to find our way."-Larry King, CNN
"Noah benShea has elevated the human spirit to great heights with his wisdom." -Howard Schultz, executive chairman, Starbucks
"I am proud to have Noah benShea in my life. He is a spiritual, inspirational, and insightful man. Everyone needs a friend like Noah."-Herbert Simon, chairman emeritus, Simon Property Group, Inc., owner of the Indiana Pacers, and chairman, Kirkus Reviews
"Noah benShea is a welcome source of compassion and humble wisdom." -Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster "Mixing self-help with photography and poetry, professional surfer Tomson (The Code) and philosopher benShea (We Are All Jacob's Children) present a charming program for connecting people to their "true purpose." The authors compare navigating life's ups and downs to riding waves, share reflections on hardship, and offer guidance on how to stay afloat. Tomson describes his "Code Method" for finding purpose, which helps one articulate one's priorities by creating 12 statements that begin with "I will" (e.g., "I will be better"). He also shares personal anecdotes about surfing and family, including how the death of his 15-year-old son shook his faith. BenShea contributes poems with such enigmatic admonitions as "Your calm is not at a distance from you unless you are at a distance from you," and waxes philosophical about surfing ("Faith is believing that the great wave destined for you is still out there"). Merkel's vibrant photos, meanwhile, depict the waves and surfers of California and Hawaii. Aside from Tomson's "Code Method," the advice is sparse, but benShea's offbeat wisdom is worth sticking around for ("Hope and despair are both equal opportunity clothing options in every closet"). Open-minded surfers will want to catch this wave."-Publishers Weekly