Summary
Stewart Edward White was a bestselling adventure novelist, friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, and pioneer of the American conservation movement. But the greatest frontier he ever explored was the unseen world. With his wife Betty—a gifted medium whose automatic writing and spoken messages revealed a vision of life beyond death—White chronicled some of the most compelling metaphysical accounts of the 20th century: books that captivated millions before largely fading into obscurity.
Utilizing the Whites’ own writings and previously overlooked archives, the authors describe how a skeptical outdoorsman and his clairvoyant wife became unlikely messengers for whom they called “The Invisibles”—spirit communicators who offered profound insights into the continuity of consciousness, the nature of reality, and humanity’s place in the worlds beyond this one.
Betty’s posthumous communications—authenticated by her husband and validated by great thinkers of the day, such as Carl Jung—form a testament to the possibility that love and awareness do not end with death. With candidness, depth, and a storyteller’s flair, Lucid and Pontiac present a timely revival of the Whites’ forgotten legacy.
This small but perfectly formed spiritual biography—an exploration of mediumship and life after death—invites readers to consider that the greatest journeys may begin where the visible world ends.
Praise for The Unobstructed Way
“In “The Unobstructed Way,” Ronnie Pontiac and Tamra Lucid have done us all a
service by introducing a new audience to the work of Stewart Edward White and his wife,
Elizabeth (Betty) Grant. The couple’s books, bestsellers in their day, are almost
completely—and inexplicably—forgotten now. Their astounding story, and the vibrantly
alive philosophy it rests upon, adds an astonishingly new perspective to a cultural belief
system that seemed to have passed its sell by date. Highly recommended. “
—Tod Davies, editorial director, Exterminating Angel Press, and author of The History of Arcadia visionary fiction series
“For nearly a century Stewart and Betty White have guided readers the world over to break free from earthly impediments (the “obstructed”) through a willful expansion of consciousness (the “unobstructed”). With warmth and clarity their writings present a practical philosophy which remains accessible, compelling, and relevant to us today.
“They famously claimed to channel their work from spirits they called “The Invisibles” and, following her death, from Betty herself. Whether one embraces or dismisses such paranormal claims is secondary to their offering. For their inspired message sings a more palpable, practical, and powerful poetry. In fact, Betty once compared her experience of unobstructed consciousness to “glorious music.” And, as with all great mystical authors, when reading the Whites’ testimony one begins to hear this inspiring air. Pioneers in their respective fields, psychoanalyst Carl Jung and ethnomusicologist Mantle Hood heard it. And across the decades hundreds of thousands of other readers have as well—I count myself among them.
“The Whites unpretentiously invite us to reject the lure of daily despair and playfully explore the subtler beauties of opened awareness. Ronnie and Tamra’s The Unobstructed Way passes on this invitation to the 21st century reader. But the authors go further in presenting a context and perspective which the Whites’ legacy has long lacked. And their succinct prose paints the first comprehensive portrait of this inspiring couple, while also distilling their complete published works into actionable insights. As the title suggests, this book highlights a practical path, one that is woven throughout the Whites’ lives and writings. Ultimately, this path culminates in the reader.
“Like a cool glass of water on a hot summer day, The Unobstructed Way refreshes and inspires gratitude. More than an introduction to a mysteriously influential American couple, this little book may offer readers a deeper gift: a glimpse of their own soul and simple, time-tested ways to nourish it.”
—Matt Marble, author of Buddhist Bubblegum: Esotericism in the Creative Process of Arthur Russell
“Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac have done us a great favor in resurrecting the works of Betty and Stewart White for these times. Those who are beginning the spiritual search will find many superb suggestions for starting points. Those who are already on the path will find apt and powerful reminders for advancing further and deeper. ”
—Richard Smoley, author of Inner Christianity: A Guide to the Esoteric Tradition
“A wonderful and learned excursion into one of the most thrilling intersections of contemporary culture and ageless search.”
—Mitch Horowitz PEN Award-winning historian
“The Unobstructed Way is a fascinating, page-turning account of one of the great paranormal stories of the early twentieth century. Stewart and Betty White carried on their joint excursions into the unknown even after Betty’s death. The result was the remarkable series of channeled works known as The Betty Books. Betty White’s communications from the ‘other side’ were so convincing, that even C. G. Jung, generally reluctant to stray beyond the limits of ‘scientific’ credibility, declared they were the real article. Ronnie Pontiac and Tamra Lucid have done 21st century readers a service with this gripping and informative tale of a love and dedication that carried on beyond the grave.”
—Gary Lachman author of The Secret Teachers of the Western World
“Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac have done something remarkable—rescuing a forgotten spiritual treasure, a collection of books that read like they could have been written yesterday instead of the early 20th century.
“The story of Stewart White and Betty Grant’s metaphysical adventure began with an Ouija board but ended with a compelling philosophical teaching transmitted across the rift between life and death. Even if you dismiss the idea that the dead can communicate with the living, there is deep, profound truth in the wise words of Betty, and a poignant love story that inspired the spiritual teachings.
“I am grateful for Ronnie and Tamra for introducing me to this powerful story of life and death and love, and to a classic of esoteric literature that I will regularly revisit.”
—Michael M. Hughes, author of Magic for the Resistance
“In a time when many fear that meaning is being lost through wars, technological change, and the slow erosion of trust, “The Unobstructed Way” offers something quietly radical: the art of inner listening and the ethics of symbolic reception. It models collaboration across the visible and invisible, rooted in discernment, presence, and inner responsibility. It does not offer answers, but teaches us how to listen for them. Thank you Ronnie and Tamra for reintroducing a new generation to the Betty Books.”
—Mary K. Greer, author of Tarot for Your Self
“The Unobstructed Way is an extraordinary resource for anyone facing loss, engaged in death work, or simply drawn to the enduring questions of consciousness and survival. Tamra Lucid and Ronnie Pontiac approach the legacy of Stewart and Betty White with meticulous care, intellectual honesty, and deep humanity, bringing a rare blend of scholarship and lived wisdom to their exploration.
“This book is not just a chronicle of spiritual phenomena, but a guidebook for living and grieving, grounded in clear observation, practical counsel, and a profound respect for both mystery and evidence. Its instructions are accessible and meaningful for practitioners and newcomers alike.
“Having experienced Ronnie’s kindness and practical support during times of personal loss, I have seen first-hand the thoughtful compassion that infuses every page of this work. In the immediate aftermath of Tamra’s passing, her presence already felt by friends and loved ones, the book takes on an added poignancy. The Whites’ radical experiment is carried forward by Tamra and Ronnie’s thoughtful, critical, and compassionate engagement. This is a work of enduring value for all who seek to understand, to heal, and to imagine what lies beyond.”
—Sasha Chaitow, PhD, Author of Son of Prometheus & Horapollon’s Hieroglyphica.
