This collection contains documents relating to the creation of To Know for Real, a book about Royce S. "Tim" Pitkin, president of Goddard College, written by Ann Giles Benson and Frank Adams in 1987. It consists primarily of correspondence to Benson, including letters between the two authors discussing the point of view from which the book should be written, and an agreement that it be published in both their names. There are several letters from Pitkin regarding various trips Benson made to Plainfield to conduct research, along with suggestions for potential publishers, a few editorial notes, and vegetable garden updates and queries. There is one letter from Helen Pitkin, after the death of her husband, telling of Thanksgiving, a trip to Alaska, and the college's 50th anniversary celebration. The collection also contains research materials used by the authors, including a list of Royce Pitkin's papers, questions they intended to ask of him, and a chronology of his life. There are copies of some of Pitkin's commencement addresses, including the first ever given at Goddard College and a draft of his final talk in 1969, from which the title of the book was taken. There are a small number of reviews for the book from different publications, including a copy of the Goddard College Alumni Newspaper, The Silo, from 1978 and a review by Forest Davis, possibly unpublished. Also present are various permissions and releases for the book, as well as documentation of the donation of 15 cassettes of Ann Giles Benson's interviews with Pitkin to the Vermont Historical Society in 1991. Along with all the papers related to the book, a series of writings by Forest Davis are included. Called "The Philosophy Motion," the idiosyncratic newsletter expounds upon his educational philosophy and criticisms. He also tells the tale of the "Cardiff Giant" hoax, pens remembrances of two loyal readers: Hiram S. Hunn and Elizabeth Kent Gay, and frequently discusses cats. Additional contributors to the publication include John R. Turner and Roy P. Fairfield. A loosely related set of magazine articles about progressive education, and a couple of newspaper articles about Goddard's possible closure are included.
