Eric A. Smith, who once served as an intern at The Pilot, has announced "The Path," a revolutionary new approach to self-development, applying cutting-edge neuroscience, communications theory, anthropology, physiology and nutrition to the self-help genre.

Writing is in Smith's blood. He's the grandson of the late Sam Ragan, former owner, editor and publisher of The Pilot, who served as N.C. poet laureate, and his wife, Marjorie Ragan, who was also an editor at The Pilot.

Smith was a science reporter and photographer for The Beacon, in Research Triangle Park, before moving to Canada and opening his first company.

Since that time, he has been teaching in colleges and corporations in Canada, the U.S. and Japan. A UNC Chancellor's Scholar and multiple dean's list honoree in journalism, he also holds A+, Network+ and Microsoft PC engineering certifications, national certification in Japanese, and recently established the design company Polyglot Studios, KK.

"Within the last three years, scientists have unraveled some of the mind's deepest, most mysterious inner workings, with tremendous implications for personal development, achievement and life satisfaction," says Smith. "There has never been anything like 'The Path.' This is the real thing: the true secrets to life. 'The Path' brings Anthony Robbins and Dale Carnegie into the 21st century, applying science's latest explosive discoveries to the science of self-improvement.

"I've extensively and meticulously researched, documented and integrated this research into what I believe is the most powerful self-help book ever written."

Excerpts from the book are available at http://get onthepath.blogspot.com.