Essays & Travelogues Books - Page 5

No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach

Anthony Bourdain

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Gastronomy -> General
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Gastronomy -> General AAS
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Backstage Pass 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Do you like food? Travel? A wiseass chain smoking New York host? Then this is for you! A great book by a really cool guy, about a really cool show. It's an overview of places around the world Tony Bourdain and crew visited and featured on No Reservations, and it's filled with information that never, ever, EVER could have made it on the air. True fans of No Reservations might get more out of this than a reader who has never watched the show but anyone can pick this up and catch the tone and flavor of one of cable TV's most uniquely audacious hour-long events.

Editorial Review:

An illustrated, behind-the-scenes travel journal of Anthony Bourdain’s global adventures.
 
More than just a companion to the hugely popular show, No Reservations is Bourdain’s fully illustrated journal of his far-flung travels. The book traces his trips from New Zealand to New Jersey and everywhere in between, mixing beautiful, never-before-seen photos and mementos with Bourdain’s outrageous commentary on what really happens when you give a bad-boy chef an open ticket to the world. Want to know where to get good fatty crab in Rangoon? How to order your reindeer medium rare? How to tell a Frenchman that his baguette is invading your personal space? This is your book. For any Bourdain fan, this is an indispensable opportunity to hit the road with the man himself.

Titanic's Last Secrets: The Further Adventures of Shadow Divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler

Brad Matsen

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Subjects -> History -> World -> Transportation -> Ships -> General
Subjects -> History -> World -> Transportation -> Ships -> Titanic
Subjects -> History -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

After rewriting history with their discovery of a Nazi U-boat off the coast of New Jersey, legendary divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler decided to investigate the great enduring mystery of history's most notorious shipwreck: Why did Titanic sink as quickly as it did?

To answer the question, Chatterton and Kohler assemble a team of experts to explore Titanic, study its engineering, and dive to the wreck of its sister ship, Brittanic, where Titanic's last secrets may be revealed.

Titanic's Last Secrets is a rollercoaster ride through the shipbuilding history, the transatlantic luxury liner business, and shipwreck forensics. Chatterton and Kohler weave their way through a labyrinth of clues to discover that Titanic was not the strong, heroic ship the world thought she was and that the men who built her covered up her flaws when disaster struck. If Titanic had remained afloat for just two hours longer than she did, more than two thousand people would have lived instead of died, and the myth of the great ship would be one of rescue instead of tragedy.

Titanic's Last Secrets is the never-before-told story of the Ship of Dreams, a contemporary adventure that solves a historical mystery.

A Year in Provence

Peter Mayle

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Subjects -> History -> Europe -> France -> General
Subjects -> History -> Europe -> France -> General AAS
Subjects -> History -> Europe -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 134 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Part Travelogue; Part Love Letter 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I'm probably the last person in the world to read this charming book. My interest was stirred by the Russell Crowe film A GOOD YEAR which has been running on the premium channels for the last two months.

The movie is heartwarming, witty, and full of sweet charm. Naturally I had to seek out the author of the book from which the movie was adapted. In doing so, I bought all of the other books written by Peter Mayle an ex-patriot Englishman living the life we all want to live in Provence.

Thus I began the first of his books A YEAR IN PROVENCE, his twelve-month epistle of establishing a new home in the Provençale region of France.

The articulate Mr. Mayle, a refugee from the advertising business, is of course articulate. More importantly though, he has a fondness for his subject matter and a humorous delivery that will at times make you smile and at other times make you roar with laughter.

The book is part travelogue and part love letter to Provence that will make you wish with every fiber of your being that you could find a similar Provençal farm house with land growing grape vines and fruit trees and shuck this rat race for the tranquil life described by Mr. Mayle.

If you haven't read this book, get a copy from your favorite online or local bookstore. I must warn you about one thing though. Don't do as I did initially and read a chapter at bedtime. The descriptions of the food consumed by the Mayles and their French neighbors and friends will make your mouth water. You'll find yourself in the kitchen uncorking a bottle of pinot noir and rooting through the fridge for a block of cheese.

Editorial Review:

A funny--and often hilarious--month-by-month account of the charms and frustrations of moving into an old French farmhouse in Provence and adapting to a very different way of life.

Notes from a Small Island

Bill Bryson

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Humor -> Essays
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Humor -> Political
Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Great Britain -> England -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 280 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain-which is to say, all of it."

After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestsellingauthor of The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to returnto the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another,so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out ona grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.

Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.

"Suddenly, in the space of a moment, I realized what it was that I loved about Britain-which is to say, all of it."

After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestselling author of ,i>The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to return to the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another, so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out on a grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.

Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.

The Motorcycle Diaries (Movie Tie-in Edition) : Notes on a Latin American Journey

Ernesto Che Guevara

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 74 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Before and Beyond: The Background a Revolutionary 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Che Guevara... Whether you respect him or not there is absolutely no denying the fact that he had a profound impact on the history of Central America and the Caribbean. This book is plainly and simply about a young man on a journey to become the person everyone knows in history. He sets out as a college student in his early twenties on the motorcycle La Poderosa II with Alberto Granado. When he returns a year later he has aged a hundred years. It is almost as though he has become a different person.

On his journey he saw the impoverished and the ignored. He saw indifference and hate. He saw racism and inequality... especially inequality.

This journey across the poor and rich regions of Latin America made Ernesto Che Guevara exactly who he was. In his travels he found he could not understand why some should have more than others. His communist views developed from seeing the unfair treatment of the poor. He was ready, by the end, to do whatever it took to win equality for all: even fight. As he said at the end of his book: "I feel my nostrils dilate, savoring the acrid smell of gunpowder and blood. The enemy's death; I steel my body, ready to do battle, and prepare myself to be a sacred space within which the bestial howl of the triumphant proletariat can resound with new energy and new hope."

Although a few things are lost to us English speakers through the translation and Argentine dialect this is a book which is full of rich detail and of deep internal struggle. This book was written in 1952, but edited and assembled much later. This causes some very Communist views to appear that were clearly added well after the original writings.
Still this is a great read to see the mind of a genius in a time when the world was still reeling from the shock of a great world war and gearing up for the middle of the cold war. Che Guevara would go on in life to befriend Fidel Castro and be his right hand man in the Communist regime over Cuba. Che Guevara, whether you like him or not, is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most influential people in history.

Editorial Review:

Special movie tie-in edition of Che Guevara's youthful travel diaries to coincide with the Fall release of Redford & Salles's film of the book. Says director Walter Salles: "If the film reaches a younger audience, I hope it will inspire people to read The Motorcycle Diaries, to have the impression that change can occur."

"As his journey progresses, Guevara's voice seems to deepen, to darken, colored by what he witnesses in his travels. He is still poetic, but now he comments on what he sees, though still poetically, with a new awareness of the social and political ramifications of what's going on around him."-January Magazine

"The Motorcycle Diaries could easily go on to become the first Spanish language nominee for Best Picture."-Roger Friedman, Fox News

Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa

Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Automotive -> Motorcycles -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Eighteen countries. Five shock absorbers.
Two bikers. One amazing adventure...

After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. Inspired by their UNICEF visits to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth.

And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa.

Along the way they rode some of the toughest terrain in the world -- and met some of the friendliest people. They rode their bikes right up to the pyramids in Egypt and visited Luke Skywalker's house in Tunisia. They met people who had triumphed over terrifying experiences -- former childhood soldiers in Uganda and children living amidst the minefields of Ethiopia. They had a close encounter with a family of gorillas in Rwanda and were nearly trampled by a herd of elephants in Botswana.

Riding through spectacular scenery, often in extreme temperatures, Ewan and Charley faced their hardest challenges yet. With their trademark humor and honesty they tell their story -- the drama, the dangers and sheer exhilaration of riding together again, through a continent filled with magic and wonder.

Killing Yourself to Live (Library Edition): 85% of a True Story

Chuck Klosterman

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Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 92 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

I can't state enough how much I put into this book 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Killing Yourself to Live is a stand out in Klosterman's career. It is not his Spin writings, it is not Fargo Rock City, it is not Sex Drugs and cocoa Puffs, it is a stand out. You don't always have to agree with Klosterman's ideas on music, movies, pop culture ideas. Instead, take the book for what it is, a story about relationships. After reading this book, I took a long hard look at the women in my life and really thought long and hard about the lessons that I could learn from this book.

Klosterman says that the book is 85% of a true story and I believe that considering that the stories are so heartfelt, warm, and sometimes heart breaking. I've given it out to several female friends who have come back to me and said things related to the book and said how similar they are to our relationships. The book is universal. Seriously, go read it. It is amazing.

Editorial Review:

For 6,557 miles, Chuck Klosterman thought about dying. He drove a rental car from New York to Rhode Island to Georgia to Mississippi to Iowa to Minneapolis to Fargo to Seattle, and he chased death and rock 'n' roll all the way. Within the span of twenty-one days, Chuck had three relationships end--one by choice, one by chance, and one by exhaustion. Chuck explored every brand of rock star demise. He wanted to know why the greatest career move any musician can make is to stop breathing. . . and what that means for the rest of us.

Jupiters Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph

Ted Simon

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Subjects -> Sports -> Miscellaneous -> Motor Sports

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 37 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good read 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this book after reading about it in a motorcycle article. I found it to be a pretty good read, although I find it hard to believe someone in the 1970's would choose a triumph motorcycle to do this trip on, knowing their history and reputation during the 70's! I thoroughly enjoyed Ted Simons' writing about his experiences and would recommend this book.

Jupiters travels - An excellent read 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent read, well written and immensely interesting. Ted Simon dips into his experiences of a four year journey around the world on his Triumph motorcycle. This is not just of interest to motorcycle fanatics or travel adventure junkies but can be accessed by anyone as you share in Teds experiences. The only draw back is that it is just a sample of his many adventures as space would not provide enough room for him to divulge more of his adventures. I need to check out the sequel "Riding high" with further stories to pass on to those of us who would enjoy sharing his adventures. Well worth a read, what an experience to have achieved, an inspiration to many.Riding High

Editorial Review:

Simon rode a motorcycle around the world in the seventies, when such a thing was unheard of. In four years he covered 78,000 miles through 45 countries, living with peasants and presidents, in prisons and palaces, through wars and revolutions. What distinguishes this book is that Simon was already an accomplished writer. In 25 years this book has changed many lives, and inspired many to travel, including Ewan McGregor.

West With the Night (Virago travellers)

Beryl Markham

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 122 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Reads like fiction 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I agree with Hemingway that this is a piece of high literature that reads like fiction and spreads itself before the reader like a well-produced film. It drove me to learn more about the author and her life.

Editorial Review:

WEST WITH THE NIGHT appeared on 13 bestseller lists on first publication in 1942. It tells the spellbinding story of Beryl Markham -- aviator, racehorse trainer, fascinating beauty -and her life in the Kenya of the 1920s and 30s. Markham was taken to Kenya at the age of four. As an adult she was befriended by Denys Finch-Hatton, the big-game hunter of OUT OF AFRICA fame, who took her flying in his airplane. Thrilled by the experience, Markham went on to become the first woman in Kenya to receive a commercial pilot's license. In 1936 she determined to fly solo across the Atlantic -- without stopping. When Charles Lindbergh did the same, he had the wind behind him. Markham, by contrast, had a strong headwind against her and a plane that only flew up to 163 mph. On 4 September, she took off ...Several days later, she crash-landed in Nova Scotia and became an instant celebrity.

Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline: Where the Crew Lives, Eats, Wars, and Parties. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships (Travelers' Tales)

Brian David Bruns

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Strong Sea Legs By: Eunie Watson 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Cruise Confidential would be HIGHLY recommended to anyone who has been on a cruise or is thinking about a cruise vacation in the future.

The book goes into very revealing detail of the happenings below the water line, in the restaurants, on the decks, and warm tropical locales. Intrigue, crazy antics, misadventures, flitations, and sex are brought to life in the pages of this book. In reading this book I felt like I was actually going through the same battery of emotions the author was revealing to us. I really got caught up in so many of the situations captured in this wonderful tell all. With each turn of the page I kept on wanting more and more. I simply could not put the book down. Matter of factly, I've read the book three times over the past month. That's how good of a book Brian Bruns has written. I have a much deeper respect for the hardworking crew that slave endlessly to provide us cruise vacationers with a tip-top, rewarding, good time on the high seas.

Needless to say, I am absolutely thrilled that there is currently an upcoming sequel to Cruise Confidential in the works. I'm there with the click of my mouse to pre-order the next high seas adventure writen by Brian Bruns, as soon as Amazon starts advertising to do so. Can't wait!!!

Editorial Review:

In Cruise Confidential, Brian David Bruns spills the dirt — or in this case, the dirty water — on those romantic, fun-filled vacations at sea. His hilarious chronicle of the year he spent working for Carnival Cruise Lines takes readers down into the areas where the crew works and lives, leaving readers gasping with laughter as they’re assaulted nonstop with events that range from the absurd to the utterly bizarre. Stewards fighting over food. Cutlery allowances and other nonsensical rules. What the crew calls those onboard (no, it’s not “passengers”). And of course, the sex. An abundance of ready, willing, and able bodies eager for action on a vessel replete with nooks and crannies leads to love in some mighty strange, and seemingly impossible, places. Breezy, entertaining, and informative, Cruise Confidential is essential reading for those planning a cruise or for anyone who just needs a good laugh.