The Book of Skulls reflects the mood of the late 1960s and early 1970s, as do many of Silverberg's works written during this period. Perhaps it would be helpful for a discussion group to review the rise of New Age cults in the latter part of the twentieth century. Another historical matter to review would be the cult that centered on Charles Manson and the ritual murders they performed in 1969 on Sharon Tate and others. Just as the Manson group committed an appalling ritual murder, so Silverberg's seekers of immortality also become murderers.

A discussion might also focus on the romantic interest for students in rediscovering a forgotten or neglected sacred text, such as The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Student rebels in the latter half of the twentieth century have often constructed movements around texts neglected in their culture—often choosing books as different...