The Adventure of Food: True Stories of Eating Everything
Edited by Richard Sterling
Traveler's Tales
310 pages, $26.95 Food -- its smells, textures, colours, flavours and rituals -- is tied intrinsically to place and is one of the most enjoyable ways travellers discover the world and its people.
"While on the great open road to Anywhere," writes Richard Sterling in his introduction to this collection, "all but the dullest palate can experience the fearsome need, the roaring passion, the lust to consume the world. And, in consuming it, to make it our own."
The 55 short pieces in this collection continue the journey begun in Sterling's best-selling Food: A Taste of the Road, winner of a Lowell Thomas Award for guidebooks. Contributors include Jonathan Raban, Frances Mayes, Jan Morris and Theresa M. Maggio. Writers take us on gastronomic journeys to over 50 locations from the Amazon to Manhattan, from Syria to Sicily. Some of the articles are original contributions, but most were previously published in such diverse sources as Salon and The New York Times. But they all describe epiphanies great and small while consuming food and drink -- ranging from the Zen-like experience of slowly nibbling one potato chip, to the scene at a hugely popular Tennessee barbecue competition. One of the most amazing stories in this collection, written by Michael Paterniti, relives not only part of François Mitterand's life but his death as well, by recreating the French president's last orgiastic, and partially illegal, farewell feast to life. Georgia Fodor's Compass American Guides By John T. Edge Photography by Robb Helfrick 316 pages, $29.95 This is the latest in the 36-volume Compass American series of guides to the cities and regions of the U.S. (although next year, you should see a book on Toronto). Like the rest of the series, Georgia is glossy and lushly illustrated with colour photgraphy and maps. What sets this -- and other Compass guides -- apart from most of the rest of the pack is its writerly, intimate style of introducing readers to the state. John Edge, an accomplished magazine journalist and author, was born, raised and has spent most of his life in Georgia. His knowledge and feel for the place is obvious in the content. The Fearless Shopper: How to Get the Best Deals on the Planet By Kathy Borrus Traveler's Tales 278 pages, $21.95 This is a useful primer for those who love to travel and shop along the way. The first part of the book deals with general tips on shopping, including bargain-hunting, negotiation techniques, knowing when to walk away from a haggle, shipping purchases home and avoiding scams and rip-offs.
The second section gives brief buyer's guides to more than 100 countries, with best shopping streets, markets and shops on and off the beaten path. Here and there are tips on such things as how and where to look for one-of-a-kind textile in South America, handblown glass in the Czech Republic or sarongs in Cambodia. Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2000 By Douglas Ward Berlitz Publishing 536 pages, $34.95 This authoritative and encyclopedic reference rates more than 240 major and minor ships cruising the world's oceans and waterways. It will be a useful source of information both for the neophyte looking for an ideal first-time experience, or the experienced cruiser in search of a novel voyage.
Each ship is presented with details and charts covering everything from dining and cabin amenities to sample menus. Each is scored on the quality of facilities, accommodations, food, service and itinerary.
Author Douglas Ward is considered an authority on cruising and is president of the Maritime Evaluation Group, an international agency that rates cruise ships worldwide. It's a wonder he has time to write, considering he claims to spend 10 months out of each year aboard cruise ships.