I daresay there isn’t a foodie alive who doesn’t know who (the tragically deceased) Anthony Bourdain is.
I daresay there isn’t a foodie alive who doesn’t know who (the tragically deceased) Anthony Bourdain is.
BOOK REVIEWS – NO. 10: World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
I daresay there isn’t a foodie alive who doesn’t know who (the tragically deceased) Anthony Bourdain is.
A quintessential chef and world traveller, Bourdain was known for his singular talent of introducing readers and viewers to hundreds of both fine and grassroots dining establishments including side of the road delectable eateries.
He travelled all over the world, visiting 93 countries in total, 68 of which were for his American television show, No Reservations, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
Oftentimes, his many and diverse collection of books – 13 in total – which cover not only culinary content but fiction and historical non-fiction as well – are dusted with sardonic and witty comments. His culinary explorations are always parsed to the finest of details and include untold cultural experiences and customs..
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever was released in April of 2021 and took the top spot in the non-fiction category the week ending April 25th, selling more than 50,000 copies.
“Anthony Bourdain was a respectful but always irreverent traveler and guest, everywhere he went in the world, and his commentary on the types places we chose to include in World Travel—fine dining in Lyon, strip clubs in Atlanta and Los Angeles, a crab shack in Cambodia, a museum of erotica in Peru—really reflects that dichotomy of irreverence and respect,” explains Laurie Woolever as to why the book was titled ‘An Irreverent Guide’ in an April 19, 2021 interview with Forbes. (Woolever was Bourdain’s long-time collaborator, assistant and co-author of this book).
The book’s title, World Travel, is an apt description for the book, covering countries from A to V, starting with Buenos Aires, Argentina, and ending with culinary destinations in Vietnam.
Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are the destinations covered in Canada. The Drake Hotel, the Cocktail Bar in Little Italy, Porchetta & Co. and Cold Tea in Kensington are some of the Toronto establishments mentioned.
The book is deliciously illustrated by artist Wesley Allsbrook, and includes contributing essays from restaurant owners, friends, colleagues and family, along with a ‘how to’ get there guide as well.
And as an additional postscript….the book smells absolutely divine, adding an additional sensory pleasure to the experience!
Cece is the feature cover writer for several prestigious publications and is an informed, connected and enthusiastic book blogger at cecescott.com. Her first book, The Love Story, was published in 2019. Her second book will be coming out in the spring of 2021.
Cece is also working on a book of Daily Reflections for Auto Immune Condition Warriors.
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