Reply #7: Well, on the one hand he says that he did it in about two years,

[crispini]

and has a student of his, every year or so, do the same.

On the other hand-- here's a quote, he's talking about his technique; he says, "Just write down what you know is true, or what you think is true, and keep writing until you come up with something that IS true... start examining the foundation upon which the statement is built and just keep following it down until you've reached bedrock... It's actually a painful and vicious process, somewhat akin to self-mutilation. It creates wounds that will never heal and burns bridges that can never be rebuilt and the only real reason to do it is because you can no longer stand not to."

There's another good quote, but I can't find it right this moment.... more later...