Allen Klein (author)

Allen Klein (born April 26, 1938) is a pioneer in gelotology and the therapeutic humor movement. In 1974, Klein's wife was only 34 years old when she died of liver disease, and the aspect where she had kept her sense of humor all the way to the end inspired Klein to give up his previous career as a theater and television scene designer and to study human development. Klein is an American author and lecturer on the stress relieving benefits of humor and on gallows humor. Among other positions, Klein was the 2005-2006 president of The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor.

Klein has written 5 books on the therapeutic benefits of humor and happiness

• The Healing Power of Humor: Techniques for Getting through Loss, Setbacks, Upsets, Disappointments, Difficulties, Trials, Tribulations, and All That Not-So-Funny Stuff ISBN 0-87477-519-1
• The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope, and Healing in the Face of Death and Dying ISBN 0-87477-929-4
• Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying: Embracing Life After Loss ISBN 978-0-9798755-8-8
• L.A.U.G.H.: Using Humor and Play to Help Clients Cope with Stress, Anger, Frustration, and more ISBN 978-1893277502
• You Can't Ruin My Day: 52 Wake-Up Calls to Turn Any Situation Around ISBN 978-1-63228-022-0

In addition, he has edited several books of inspirational quotations. They are:

• Change Your Life!: A Little Book of Big Ideas (foreword by Jack Canfield) ISBN 978-1-57344-407-1
• Inspiration for a Lifetime ISBN 978-1-57344-429-3
• The Art of Living Joyfully (endorsed by SARK) ISBN 978-1-936740-19-2
• Always Look on the Bright Side ISBN 978-1-936740-55-0
• Having the Time of Your Life ISBN 978-1-936740-70-3

Source:

• "Humor can help you cope with the unbearable so that you can stay on the bright side of things until the bright side actually comes along."
• "Humor does not diminish the pain - it makes the space around it get bigger."
• "When we are dealing with death we are constantly being dragged down by the event: Humor diverts our attention and lifts our sagging spirits."
• "Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. *Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up."
• "The hardest thing you can do is smile when you are ill, in pain, or depressed. But this no-cost remedy is a necessary first half-step if you are to start on the road to recovery."

• 2007 Hunter College, The City University of New York, Hall of Fame honoree
• Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association
• Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award
• 2009 Doug Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor