World Travel by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever

Title: World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

Author: Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever

Publisher: Ecco 2021

Genre: Travel Memoir

Pages: 480

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy; Summer TBR

Anthony Bourdain saw more of the world than nearly anyone. His travels took him from the hidden pockets of his hometown of New York to a tribal longhouse in Borneo, from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Paris, and Shanghai to Tanzania’s utter beauty and the stunning desert solitude of Oman’s Empty Quarter—and many places beyond.

In World Travel, a life of experience is collected into an entertaining, practical, fun and frank travel guide that gives readers an introduction to some of his favorite places—in his own words. Featuring essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay and, in some cases, what to avoid, World Travel provides essential context that will help readers further appreciate the reasons why Bourdain found a place enchanting and memorable.

Supplementing Bourdain’s words are a handful of essays by friends, colleagues, and family that tell even deeper stories about a place, including sardonic accounts of traveling with Bourdain by his brother, Christopher; a guide to Chicago’s best cheap eats by legendary music producer Steve Albini, and more. Additionally, each chapter includes illustrations by Wesley Allsbrook.

For veteran travelers, armchair enthusiasts, and those in between, World Travel offers a chance to experience the world like Anthony Bourdain.

I picked this up because Anne Bogel chose it for the Summer Reading Guide. I was intrigued by the prospect of reading the last work from Anthony Bourdain. Unfortunately the idea of this book far outweighed the actual execution of this book. The book is part travel guide and part rumination on the soul of countries. I enjoyed the ruminations. I enjoyed the essays written by those who new Bourdain. I just didn’t enjoy the parts that were more akin to a travel guide. Overall, the book really just made me want to watch No Reservations or Parts Unknown again.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain

Title: Medium Raw

Author: Anthony Bourdain

Publisher: HarperCollins 2010

Genre: Memoir; Food

Pages: 308

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; ebook; 52 Books - W2

Medium Raw marks the return of the inimitable Anthony Bourdain, author of the blockbuster bestseller Kitchen Confidential and three-time Emmy Award-nominated host of No Reservations on TV’s Travel Channel. Bourdain calls his book, “A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook,” and he is at his entertaining best as he takes aim at some of the biggest names in the foodie world, including David Chang, Alice Waters, the Top Chef winners and losers, and many more. If Hunter S. Thompson had written a book about the restaurant business, it could have been Medium Raw.

I read Kitchen Confidential last year, and I have to say that I enjoyed this one more infinitely more.  I think my main issue with KC was that at times it was so technical.  Because I do not have a background in cooking, there are terms and techniques that I just don't know.  I had to stop periodically to look something up to truly understand what Bourdain was discussing.  This book is a lot more friendly to the average reader. We are treated to the personal views of Bourdain as they relate to the food industry.  I loved his chapters about the Food Network and its stars.  I loved the chapters highlighting specific chefs.  And I really loved the chapters where he discussed his own transitioning thoughts and ideas.  It was a nice companion to his No Reservations television series.  Very enjoyable read!

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Title: Kitchen Confidential

Author: Anthony Bourdain

Publisher: HarperCollins 2007

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 486

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction -- Food; ebook; Blogger Recommendations; 52 Books -- W14

How I Got It: iPad read

A New York City chef who is also a novelist recounts his experiences in the restaurant business, and exposes abuses of power, sexual promiscuity, drug use, and other secrets of life behind kitchen doors.

This is one of those "I've been meaning to read this forever" books.  I enjoy watching No Reservations.  I love Bourdain's style.  I even saw a few of the episodes of the television series based on the book (starring Bradley Cooper pre-super stardom).  And yet I never read the book.  A long plane ride to Indiana was the perfect time to correct that oversight.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It's part memoir, part tell-all, part guidebook.  We see the world of restaurants from the inside, but often with a very particular perspective.  I loved meeting the crazy characters in each restaurant and kitchen.  I loved hearing about his journey from royal screw-up to famous and respected chef.  The book is loud and crude, just like Bourdain himself.  But to clean up his writing would destroy the essence of the story.  While I may not have known all the food words, I loved hearing about the creation of good food.  I love good food, and am willing to try just about anything.  I love Bourdain's philosophy of quality ingredients instead of fancy presentation.  I have a feeling I would love eating at any restaurant he cheffed at.  My only issue with the book: it made me hungry!  Reading about all this amazing food, I was constantly craving something!