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Reviews
Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life by Daniel Klein
elysecmcneil's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly enjoyable, liked the discussions of many existential philosophers through the concept of old age. Felt some of it was a bit dry and irrelevant.
venkyloquist's review against another edition
3.0
Of all the 'pet-dreads', that a man/woman might possibly nurse, the most powerful one has to be of his/her impending mortality. As age withers and scars the body, the inevitable approach of the merciless Grim Reaper sends shivers of panic down many a frightened spine. Some of us try to deceive ourselves of this invariable end by putting our bodies through many torturous 'therapies'. Botox and breast implants vie with one another to create an illusion that seems to offer some solace, albeit one of impermanence.
Is old age that intolerable a foe? Can the very process of aging be a beautiful cause to celebrate and thrive in? In the pursuit of this deeply intricate question, the best selling author and philosopher Daniel Klein undertakes a journey to the land of Epicurean Philosophy, Greece. Nestling into the idyllic setting of Hydra, and armed with a repertoire of philosophical books for company, Klein (seventy three himself) engages in an unbiased introspection of old age and its attendant tumults. He also derives inspiration from a few of his Greek friends (a man named Tasso in particular) as they seem to have a preternatural ability to take the onset of age in an unbelievably sporting and benevolent stride.
"Travels with Epicurus", in a very moving yet steadfast way, takes on the challenges posed by the very last phase of life head on. Acknowledging the fact that fear is after all a natural outcome of a very fundamental human emotion and desire to live and keep living, the book also carefully tries to wean away the thoughts of immortality from the mind of one alarmed to face the proverbial casket. Klein teaches us in a remarkably simple and alluring manner that old age is not a phenomena to be abhorred and rejected, but that peculiar stage of life which when lived well, leads to a serene sense of peace, bliss and fulfillment.
"Travels With Epicurus" - A book to grow old with!
Is old age that intolerable a foe? Can the very process of aging be a beautiful cause to celebrate and thrive in? In the pursuit of this deeply intricate question, the best selling author and philosopher Daniel Klein undertakes a journey to the land of Epicurean Philosophy, Greece. Nestling into the idyllic setting of Hydra, and armed with a repertoire of philosophical books for company, Klein (seventy three himself) engages in an unbiased introspection of old age and its attendant tumults. He also derives inspiration from a few of his Greek friends (a man named Tasso in particular) as they seem to have a preternatural ability to take the onset of age in an unbelievably sporting and benevolent stride.
"Travels with Epicurus", in a very moving yet steadfast way, takes on the challenges posed by the very last phase of life head on. Acknowledging the fact that fear is after all a natural outcome of a very fundamental human emotion and desire to live and keep living, the book also carefully tries to wean away the thoughts of immortality from the mind of one alarmed to face the proverbial casket. Klein teaches us in a remarkably simple and alluring manner that old age is not a phenomena to be abhorred and rejected, but that peculiar stage of life which when lived well, leads to a serene sense of peace, bliss and fulfillment.
"Travels With Epicurus" - A book to grow old with!
psalmcat's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. Perhaps I'll buy it. It would make a good gift, if I didn't feel like I was telling the recipient they're old.
timewastergirl's review against another edition
4.0
"Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance"
lucyatoz's review against another edition
4.0
Travels with Epicurus: Meditations from a Greek Island on the Pleasures of Old Age is a rambling as its title! It is a delightfully bumbling book about Daniel Klein's 4 weeks on the Greek island of Hydra in the pursuit of what makes a good old age!
As a woman, currently in her mid-30's, it was not an entirely relevant read but it did contain some good nuggets for one who is slow of pace at the best of times! Various quotes from different philosophers are peppered throughout the book, some are profound, others whimsical. What this book does raise is interesting questions about the ways in which old age is lived in somewhere like America and how it is lived by those in a country like Greece, particularly in a time of recession and economic strife. It does have some helpful insights to living life well, regardless of if you are 30 or 80! I would certainly recommend it to those folks who want a different book to read whilst on holiday, particularly if you are heading to a Greek island, instead of the normal romantic escapism I would consume whilst on vacation!
As a woman, currently in her mid-30's, it was not an entirely relevant read but it did contain some good nuggets for one who is slow of pace at the best of times! Various quotes from different philosophers are peppered throughout the book, some are profound, others whimsical. What this book does raise is interesting questions about the ways in which old age is lived in somewhere like America and how it is lived by those in a country like Greece, particularly in a time of recession and economic strife. It does have some helpful insights to living life well, regardless of if you are 30 or 80! I would certainly recommend it to those folks who want a different book to read whilst on holiday, particularly if you are heading to a Greek island, instead of the normal romantic escapism I would consume whilst on vacation!
zog_the_frog's review
3.0
Although at times the book was very 'wordy' (why use one word when ten would do sort of thing), overall I enjoyed it. For me there were too many quotes from theologians and philosophers, new and old. However there were enough truths in it and enough areas of resonance that I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. Epicurus and I had a lot more in common than I would have thought, but I'm not sure Daniel Klein and I have.