Smith, Daniel B. 1977–

PERSONAL:

Born 1977.

ADDRESSES:

Home—New York, NY.

CAREER:

Writer and freelance journalist.

WRITINGS:

Muses, Madmen, and Prophets: Rethinking the History, Science, and Meaning of Auditory Hallucination, Penguin Press (New York, NY), 2007.

Contributor to periodicals, including New York Times Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Granta, and n+1.

SIDELIGHTS:

Daniel B. Smith is a freelance journalist who has contributed to a number of periodicals, including the New York Times Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Granta, and n+1. In 2007, he published his first book, Muses, Madmen, and Prophets: Rethinking the History, Science, and Meaning of Auditory Hallucination. The book discusses various individuals throughout history who famously reported hearing voices or having hallucinations, often considered divine revelations or a precursor to significant events. Smith's grandfather reportedly heard voices but dealt with them amiably. Smith's father, however, was more troubled by the voices he heard. The family connection spurred Smith to look into the phenomenon of hearing voices and the acceptance of the voices specific to time and location.

Reviews for Smith's first book were positive. Tim Davis, writing in BookLoons, said this ‘powerfully important’ book gave a ‘persuasive and provocative explanation’ and was supported by ‘considerable research.’ American Scholar contributor Richard Restak found the account ‘well-written and deeply personal.’ A contributor to Kirkus Reviews described it as ‘an appealing introduction to a mysterious phenomenon.’ Janet Tapper ‘highly recommended’ the book in a Library Journal review, calling it ‘a compassionate exploration of the motivations and efficacy of modern psychiatric treatment."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

American Scholar, spring, 2007, Richard Restak, review of Muses, Madmen, and Prophets: Rethinking the History, Science, and Meaning of Auditory Hallucination, p. 126.

Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2006, review of Muses, Madmen, and Prophets, p. 1261.

Library Journal, March 1, 2007, Janet Tapper, review of Muses, Madmen, and Prophets, p. 96.

New York Times, April 8, 2007, Peter D. Kramer, review of Muses, Madmen, and Prophets.

ONLINE

BookLoons,http://www.bookloons.com/ (October 9, 2007), Tim Davis, review of Muses, Madmen, and Prophets.