Daniel Martin Klein

Daniel Martin Klein (born 1939 in Wilmington, Delaware) is an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, and humor. His most notable works are Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar co-written with Thomas Cathcart.^[1] and Travels With Epicurus.

Life

Klein went to school at Harvard College where he received a B.A. in philosophy.^[2] After a brief career in television comedy, he began writing books, ranging from thrillers and mysteries to humorous books about philosophy, including the New York Times bestseller,^[3] Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes (with Thomas Cathcart)^[4] and the London Times bestseller Travels With Epicurus. He lives in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and is married to Freke Vuijst, American correspondent for the Dutch newsweekly, Vrij Nederland. Their daughter, Samara Quirine Klein, is Director of Rights and International Operations for the PJ Library at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Awards

‘ForeWord Magazine' Book of the Year – Silver Award in Literary Fiction(2009) for novel, 'The History of Now'^[5]

List of books

Non-Fiction

• Travels with Epicurus, Penguin, 2012, ISBN 0143121936
• Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates (with Thomas Cathcart), Viking, 2009 . ISBN 0670020834^[6]
• Aristotle and an Aardvark Go to Washington (with Thomas Cathcart),Abrams Books, 2008. ISBN 0810995417^[7]
• Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes (with Thomas Cathcart), Abrams Books, 2007. ISBN 081091493X^[8]
• The Half-Jewish Book: A Celebration (with Freke Vuijst), Villard, 2000. ISBN 0375503854^[9]
• Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It: Wisdom of the Great Philosophers on How to Live, Penguin, 2015 ISBN 0143126792

Thrillers and Mysteries

• Such Vicious Minds, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2004 ISBN 0312319401
• Viva Las Vengeance, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2003. ISBN 0312288069
• Blue Suede Clues, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2003. ISBN 0312986696
• Kill Me Tender, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2002. ISBN 0312981953
• Beauty Sleep, St. Martin's, 1990. ISBN 0312042647
• Wavelengths, Doubleday, 1982. ISBN 0385174454
• Embryo, Doubleday, 1980. ISBN 0445046880

Novels

• Nothing Serious, Permanent Press, 2013. ISBN 978-1579623142
• The History of Now, Permanent Press, 2009. ISBN 1579621813
• Magic Time, Doubleday, 1984. ISBN 0385174527

Plays

• The Jewish Jester, New Stage Performing Arts, Berkshire Theater Festival, Stockbridge, MA, 2013
• Mengelberg and Mahler, Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA, 2010

Book Reviews

• Nothing Serious
• Kirkus described the book as follows: "A hip editor takes the helm of Cogito, a stodgy philosophical journal, with mixed—and occasionally hilarious—results."^[10]
• New York Journal of Books reviewer Karl Wolff wrote, “. . . a rollicking farce . . . a tightly plotted comedic tale with a genuine emotional center and a sharp satirical wit.”^[11]

References

1. "Boston Globe". By David Mehegan, Globe Staff | August 15, 2007
2. "Herald_Times_Reporter". Article by Bev Denor Book columnist.
3. "The New York Times Best Seller List". Archived by Hawes.com
4. "Harvard Magazine". Article by C.L.
5. "Foreword Reviews" ForeWord Book of the Year Awards – Foreword Reviews
6. "NPR". Show Hosted by LIANE HANSEN.
7. "C-SPAN".
8. "Philosophy Now Magazine". Article by Tim Madigan.
9. "Jewish Post". Article by Gad Nahshon.
10. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/daniel-klein/nothing-serious-klein/
11. http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/review/nothing-serious

12. http://thoughtcatalog.com/the-thoughtful-reader/2010/08/theater-review-mengelberg-and-mahler/

External links

• Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar Official website