Paul Krassner

Paul Krassner is a renowned American author, journalist, comedian, and editor. He is best known as the founder and editor of the magazine The Realist, which he published from 1958 to 1974, and later as a newsletter from 1985 to 2001. Krassner is often referred to as the "father of the underground press" and is known for his unique style of personal journalism that constantly blurs the line between observer and participant.

Krassner was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932 and began his career as a writer and comedian in the 1950s. He was a frequent contributor to The Realist, and his writing often focused on political and social issues, as well as humor and satire. Krassner was also a close friend and collaborator of the comedian Lenny Bruce, and he edited Bruce's autobiography, How to Talk Dirty and Influence People.

Krassner's work has been widely recognized and awarded. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won awards from the L.A. Weekly and DramaLogue. He has also been inducted into the Counterculture Hall of Fame and received an ACLU Uppie (Upton Sinclair) Award for dedication to freedom of expression. Krassner's writing has been published in a wide variety of publications, including Rolling Stone, Spin, Playboy, Penthouse, Mother Jones, and the Nation. He has also built up a cult following and has a reputation for his ability to alter perceptions and ferret out hypocrisy and absurdism in American culture.