Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life

by Daniel Klein

Overview

Advice on achieving a fulfilling old age from one of the bestselling authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .

After being advised by his dentist to get tooth implants, Daniel Klein decides to stick with his dentures and instead use the money to make a trip to the Greek island Hydra and discover the secrets of aging happily. Drawing on the inspiring lives of his Greek friends and philosophers ranging from Epicurus to Sartre, Klein uncovers the simple pleasures that are available late in life, as well as the refined pleasures that only a mature mind can fully appreciate.

A travel book, a witty and accessible meditation, and an optimistic guide to living well, Travels with Epicurus is a delightful jaunt to the Aegean and through the terrain of old age that only a free spirit like Klein could lead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780143126621
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/28/2014
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Daniel Klein is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books, including the bestseller Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . and the award-winning novel The History of Now. Klein holds a degree in philosophy from Harvard University and lives in Western Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Table at Dimitri's Taverna: On Seeking a Philosophy of Old Age 1

Chapter 1 The Old Greek's Olive Trees: On Epicurus's Philosophy of Fulfillment 9

Chapter 2 The Deserted Terrace: On Time and Worry Beads 37

Chapter 3 Tasso's Rain-Spattered Photographs: On Solitary Reelection 67

Chapter 4 A Sirocco of Youth's Beauty: On Existential Authenticity 85

Chapter 5 The Tintinnabulation of Sheep Bells: On Mellowing to Metaphysics 105

Chapter 6 Iphigenia's Guest: On Stoicism and Old Old Age 121

Chapter 7 The Burning Boat in Kamini Harbor: On the Timeliness of Spirituality 139

Epilogue: Returning Home: On a Mindful Old Age 157

Acknowledgments 163

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Witty and wry” – Huffington Post

Editorial Reviews

An insightful meditation.” - The New York Times Book Review

“Along the way, Klein touches on the ideas of Bertrand Russell, Erik Erikson, Aristotle, and William James. Klein's narrative is a delightful and spirited conversation, offering up the ingredients inherent to the art of living well in old age.” – Publisher’s Weekly

“Charming and accessible, this philosophical survey simply and accessibly makes academic philosophy relevant to ordinary human emotion.” – Kirkus Review

“Witty and wry” – Huffington Post

“A lovely little book with both heart and punch.” – Booklist

 “A charming meditation on aging. Daniel Klein takes us on a thought-provoking journey.” – The Weekly Standard Book Review

“Reading this book after a period of overwork and high stress, I was bowled over by its easy charm and hard-won wisdom. I shall be buying it in bulk as presents for my equally overburdened peers, and I suspect a few older people will enjoy it, too.” – Markus Berkmann, The Daily Mail

 “If you think philosophy is hard stuff that makes your head spin and possibly hurt, Klein is the perfect guide to deep thinking.  Being fully aware and wondering how best to spend our time are useful practices at any age, and this warm, thought-provoking book is a terrific introduction to thinking about life philosophically.” – Concord Monitor — Multiple

From the Publisher