In August 1969, a philosopher named Paul Kurtz opened a small office in Amherst, New York, with a radical mission that would eventually reshape the landscape of American publishing. Kurtz chose the name Prometheus Books to honor the Greek Titan who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humanity, a metaphor for bringing knowledge and enlightenment to the masses. This was not merely a branding exercise but a declaration of intent to challenge established dogmas and bring secular humanism, skepticism, and science to the forefront of public discourse. At a time when religious institutions held significant sway over cultural and intellectual life, Kurtz envisioned a publisher that would champion freethought and critical inquiry without compromise. The company quickly became known as the grandfather of atheist publishing in America, a title that reflected its pioneering role in creating a space for voices that were often marginalized or silenced in mainstream media. From its inception, Prometheus Books published works that questioned the supernatural, promoted scientific reasoning, and advocated for a secular approach to ethics and morality. The early years were marked by a fierce commitment to these principles, with Kurtz leading the charge as both the founder and the driving intellectual force behind the enterprise. His background as a philosopher and his involvement in founding the Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry provided the ideological foundation for the publisher's unique identity. The company's headquarters in Amherst became a hub for thinkers, writers, and activists who shared Kurtz's vision of a world guided by reason rather than revelation. As the decades passed, Prometheus Books grew from a small operation into a major force in the publishing industry, releasing thousands of books that continue to influence debates on science, religion, and human rights today.
The Skeptic's Arsenal
The publisher's catalog quickly became a repository of controversial and groundbreaking works that challenged the status quo in ways few other companies dared. Among its most notable early publications was Physics and Psychics by Victor J. Stenger, a book that subjected the claims of psychics and paranormal investigators to rigorous scientific scrutiny. The book's release in 1992 triggered a high-profile libel lawsuit from Uri Geller, the famous mentalist who claimed to possess psychic abilities. Geller sued both Stenger and Prometheus Books, alleging that the book defamed him and damaged his reputation. The legal battle was intense, but the court ultimately dismissed the suit and ordered Geller to pay more than $20,000 in costs to the defendants, a rare victory for a publisher standing up to a celebrity claimant. This case set a precedent for how Prometheus Books would handle future controversies, establishing a reputation for defending free speech and scientific integrity even in the face of powerful opponents. Another significant legal challenge arose from James Randi's book The Truth About Uri Geller, which Geller also attempted to suppress through litigation. Prometheus Books stood by Randi's work, reinforcing its commitment to exposing what it viewed as fraudulent claims. These legal battles were not merely about protecting the company's bottom line but about defending the broader principle of open inquiry. The publisher's willingness to engage in such conflicts demonstrated its deep commitment to its founding mission. Over the years, Prometheus Books published more than 2,500 books, many of which tackled subjects that were considered taboo or dangerous by mainstream standards. The company's focus on science, freethought, secularism, humanism, and skepticism created a unique niche that attracted a dedicated readership of skeptics, scientists, and secular humanists. Its imprints, such as Humanity Books, expanded the scope of its publications to include scholarly works across the humanities, further cementing its role as a leading voice in critical thought. The publisher's resilience in the face of legal challenges and its ability to maintain its editorial independence became hallmarks of its identity.