Michael Allen holds a Master's degree in philosophy as well as a Certificate in Asian Studies from the California State University at Long Beach. While serving as President of the Student Philosophy Association, he chaired the session, "Medical Ethics," for a seminar on Applied Ethics. He has presented numerous papers on Chinese Philosophy. At the University of Hawaii in Hilo, he gave a paper entitled "The Application of Taoist Metaphors in Contemporary Medicine" for the International Society for Chinese Philosophy.

Tao of Surfing was quoted from in the Special Edition Surf Culture book created for the Surf Culture and the Art History of Surfing exhibit. Additionally, Tao of Surfing was presented in the prestigious Surfer's Journal.

His interest in Chinese Philosophy led him to travel extensively through the People's Republic of China while attending the International Society for the Philosophy of Science. Upon his return from China, he published his Master's thesis on East-West comparative philosophy. He then packed up and headed for the central coast of California, where he was able to teach philosophy and begin intense work on Tao of Surfing.

He completed his book, found a publisher, and had his book published in two languages thanks to Tao of Surfing being shown at the Frankfurt, Germany Book Show.

Wanting to see the book turned into a film, he got together with his brother in law Alex T. Carig and wrote the screenplay. They founded their own film company Wavelength Pictures LLC, gathered together an elite crew, and started shooting the film.

About the Pulitzer nomination:

Michael's publishers wrote him a letter saying:

"It is with pleasure that I inform you that your book title, Tao of Surfing, has been entered this date into the Pulitzer Prize in Letters for 1997 on the basis of its outstanding contributions to philosophy and understand of human experience.

We feel honored and privileged to participate with you in the publication of this book; and we wanted you to be among the first to know of this nomination.

Our congratulations on the nomination come with this letter. May you continue to write as beautifully as you have written in Tao of Surfing."

-- Betty Wright: Rainbow Books inc.