Thomas Kohnstamm (born (1975-11-24)November 24, 1975) is an American author from Seattle, Washington.
Thomas Kohnstamm | |
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Born | (1975-11-24) November 24, 1975 (age 46) Seattle, Washington, United States |
Occupation | Writer, video producer |
Genre | Non-fiction, fiction |
Notable works | Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? Lake City |
Kohnstamm's novel Lake City was published by Counterpoint Press in January 2019. The dark comedy was called “a caustic satire on class privilege and deprivation” by The Seattle Times[1] and “hip, intrepid, and philosophical” by Publishers Weekly.[2]
Kohnstamm's book Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?, a gonzo style memoir was published by Random House/Three Rivers Press in April 2008. The author drew criticism, and according to the author, death threats,[3] after he said in publicizing the book that he had performed a "desk update" of a guidebook - before later clarifying that he had only been commissioned to write the front-of-book (introduction, history, culture, etc) chapters and oversee the other writers.[4][5] He also called into question both the accuracy and the practices of his fellow travel guide writers.[6]
Lonely Planet's publisher Piers Pickard defended their rate of pay, and the accuracy of their work.[5][7] Other guidebook writers defended some of Kohnstamm's claims, contrasting with those of Pickard who had first claimed "no freebies — period", before then admitting freebies could be taken under some circumstances.
The book received positive reviews. The New York Times observed "were I his editor, I’d want his blood",[8] but also admitted "As a reader...I could not get enough of the most depraved travel book of the year". Another review praised Kohnstamm's "spirited prose".[9]
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