Daniel Klein

Daniel Klein is an American journalist, essayist, and author, who is best known for his bestselling novels including Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life and The Half-Jewish Book: A Celebration. Through his thought-provoking, often humorous writing, he has become a celebrated figure in the literary world.

Klein was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States in 1951, where he attended and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied philosophy and was heavily involved in emerging student civil rights movements at the time. Klein went on to become a professional business writer and editor for various organizations, including Harvard Business School and The Boston Phoenix, a weekly newspaper in Massachusetts.

Klein's first book, Travels With Epicurus, was published in 2012. The book follows the story of a fictitious 86-year-old philosopher from Athens as he travels to Lesvos, a Greek island in the eastern Mediterranean, in order to reconnect with his teacher, who he almost never sees. The journey leads him to reflect on the importance of community, human mortality and the pleasures of life. It has been highly acclaimed for its universal meditations on aging and death and for its vivid, comedic storytelling.

Since Travels With Epicurus, Klein has gone on to write several other books, including a collection of humorous essays, A Mad Desire to Dance, as well as The Half-Jewish Book. In this book, Klein and co-author Freke Vuijst explore Jewish identity and practice through a series of essays dedicated to the experiences of those who have only one Jewish parent. Paired with humour and stories of Klein's own life, the book is an insightful look into a niche part of the Jewish community.

Klein has also frequently collaborated with various authors, such as classicist Victor Davis Hanson, in books such as Who Killed Homer? The Demise of Classical Education and The Restoration of Excellence. This book examines the legacy of classical education and its importance in developing one's sense of identity and cultural literacy.

Klein currently lives in Boston, where he teaches writing and philosophy at the Harvard Extension School and continues to write for various magazines and newspapers. His works have been widely acclaimed for their thoughtful look at life and the human experience. He has also been a speaker for various venues, including the Bnai Brith International and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington.

His writing has inspired countless readers to see the world differently and appreciate the joys of life. With his warm, honest and often humorous writing, Daniel Klein continues to make a name for himself as one of America's most celebrated authors.