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  • World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
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4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
4,725 global ratings
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World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

byAnthony Bourdain
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Top positive review

All positive reviews›
P. J. Owen
4.0 out of 5 starsA reminder of his greatness that we all needed
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 9, 2021
When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, he joined the ever-expanding list of artists and personalities (Prince, Bowie, Petty) whose recent deaths have hit me particularly hard, thrusting me into a mode of deep reflection about life, death, and everything in between. The difference between Bourdain and those others though is that the others were all associated with my youth. With them, there was the element of nostalgia, of aligning their mortality with my own because they’d been with me the majority of my life. Bourdain was different though. I had been a fan of his for at least a decade by the time he died, but his presence in my life was relatively short-lived. More importantly, what he represented to me was different, not a reminder of my youthful idealism, but one of what I desire and idealize in the present, as a middle-aged man, and what I want to be now and in the future. He didn’t just present a show about world travel, which is one the things I love most in my life, but he also lived the tough idealism of it, the way real in-depth travel can make you and the world better and teach us to be more tolerant of each other. And then throw in the food. Throw in the opinionated, irreverent approach to politics and life in general. Yeah, I miss him. I miss him a lot.

So of course I was excited to receive this book in the post and crack it open.

The co-author Laurie Woolever, who was Bourdain’s assistant explains the evolution of this book in the introduction. She had only one conversation with Bourdain about it, in which he sketched his vision for the book, but with lots of gaps and ambiguous thinking that they intended to get back to after Woolever put together a few sample chapters. The purpose was clear though: it was intended to be “an atlas of the world through his eyes”. He left her with a “blueprint” and a recording of their conversation. But, sadly, they never had a follow-up meeting. That means much of the decisions about the book’s form and how to bring to life Bourdain’s vision rested on Woolever’s shoulders, with just these general concepts and hours of video from his shows to guide her. So what do we get here?

This is not a guide in the purest sense; perhaps that is why it’s called an “irreverent” guide. This is not a book you’ll be lugging with you on your next trip, exploring with it in your hands. Its form is simple: chapter after chapter about the countries he’s traveled to, appearing in alphabetical order. Each country chapter includes the primary cities and some practical information upon arrival in those cities (airport, how to get into town and get around once you’re there) just like any other guidebook. Besides the selection of countries, Bourdain’s presence is added through the handful of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments that were chosen to be included. His comments about these places, culled by Woolever from Bourdain’s own words on his various TV shows, are liberally spread throughout, and serve as the primary vehicle for Bourdain’s voice itself. All this information is certainly interesting if you’re a fan of Bourdain, but it’s of very little use in helping to plan a trip, other than to maybe help you select one or more of the places he recommends. The practical information at the beginning of each chapter can be obtained from any other guidebook, one of which you will have to purchase anyway since this book doesn’t have enough info to serve as a primary guidebook. So it effectively lacks a real purpose save one: to experience Bourdain’s words again.

And that could be enough for some of us. Woolever knows this is targeted at fans of Bourdain and tries to inject as much of him as possible. Interspersed throughout the book are essays written by friends of Bourdain’s who write about what he meant to them. Many of them are good, and some very touching; however, once I read in the introduction that it was originally intended for Bourdain himself to write these essays about the many people and places that moved him, the knowledge that we missed out on those made me feel less for the ones we got.

But it’s probably unfair to judge this book based on the disappointment that it’s not exactly as it would have been. I began to imagine all the different ways this book could have been better if he had just lived to publish it (for example, I think the chapters would have been better designed if they had been informed more by the “Perfect Day” pieces they have on the Parts Unknown website…of course I have no idea he would have wanted to present them that way if he had lived). But that’s of no use. The book we have here is still a valuable look into his views on the many different places in the world that he wanted us to know about. This probably isn’t a book we’ll want to bring on trips with us, but there is enough here to inspire us to travel, and to guide us a little in Bourdain’s voice—a crude facsimile of what we had, but unfortunately, the best version we’re going to get. For those days when we don’t have time to stream one of his shows, this can serve as a resource to dip into now and again when we want or need that inspiration. This will never replace what could have been, but if you loved the guy, you may still think this is something great.
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38 people found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›
AC
1.0 out of 5 starsNot at all what I was hoping for or expecting.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 23, 2021
Reading this was a stark reminder that he is, in fact, no longer here. This is an AB book clearly written without AB. His voice just isn’t present in this work - it doesn’t read like him. The introduction talks about his significant cultural impact and the body of the book does nothing to show us why.

Most of the book is dry, expositional content - it contains information in a place you’d never actually turn to as a resource if you needed the information in the first place. AB was a storyteller and this book doesn’t tell a story - it contains information that a reasonable person would google interspersed with quotes from some of his TV shows. I don’t want to read about Argentinian bus lines, or how to get to and from the airport, or a reminder that crossing international boundaries requires proper paperwork and a pass through customs.

This book has no narrative value nor is it valuable as an actual travel guide - half the information is already outdated between the time the words were written and the time they were printed. It would be like hanging a dry erase board and trying to re-write the time every second instead of just buying a clock.

The idea for this book was clearly in its infancy when the author discussed it with Bourdain. I’m sure she did her best to try and extrapolate what he envisioned for the book, but this feels far off the mark. In the introduction she says that the basis for this book was an hour long conversation she had one night with Bourdain; if he were still alive, this would have been a very different book and that’s why it never should have been promoted as a collaboration with him. The feeling of reading this book is evocative of watching a cover band do a bad rendition of your favorite songs. His lack of input is evident. His absence is never felt more strongly than in these pages.

I was hoping for some of his unreleased writings, some more of his worldview, some more of his insight. If you’re considering buying this because you’re a fan of Bourdain’s work, I would pass because I didn’t feel him at all in this book. It doesn’t even feel like a tribute to his past work due to its eminently unreadable, textbook-like execution. This feels like exactly the type of thing that would have provoked his derision.

It is a major disappointment.
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264 people found this helpful

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From the United States

P. J. Owen
4.0 out of 5 stars A reminder of his greatness that we all needed
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, he joined the ever-expanding list of artists and personalities (Prince, Bowie, Petty) whose recent deaths have hit me particularly hard, thrusting me into a mode of deep reflection about life, death, and everything in between. The difference between Bourdain and those others though is that the others were all associated with my youth. With them, there was the element of nostalgia, of aligning their mortality with my own because they’d been with me the majority of my life. Bourdain was different though. I had been a fan of his for at least a decade by the time he died, but his presence in my life was relatively short-lived. More importantly, what he represented to me was different, not a reminder of my youthful idealism, but one of what I desire and idealize in the present, as a middle-aged man, and what I want to be now and in the future. He didn’t just present a show about world travel, which is one the things I love most in my life, but he also lived the tough idealism of it, the way real in-depth travel can make you and the world better and teach us to be more tolerant of each other. And then throw in the food. Throw in the opinionated, irreverent approach to politics and life in general. Yeah, I miss him. I miss him a lot.

So of course I was excited to receive this book in the post and crack it open.

The co-author Laurie Woolever, who was Bourdain’s assistant explains the evolution of this book in the introduction. She had only one conversation with Bourdain about it, in which he sketched his vision for the book, but with lots of gaps and ambiguous thinking that they intended to get back to after Woolever put together a few sample chapters. The purpose was clear though: it was intended to be “an atlas of the world through his eyes”. He left her with a “blueprint” and a recording of their conversation. But, sadly, they never had a follow-up meeting. That means much of the decisions about the book’s form and how to bring to life Bourdain’s vision rested on Woolever’s shoulders, with just these general concepts and hours of video from his shows to guide her. So what do we get here?

This is not a guide in the purest sense; perhaps that is why it’s called an “irreverent” guide. This is not a book you’ll be lugging with you on your next trip, exploring with it in your hands. Its form is simple: chapter after chapter about the countries he’s traveled to, appearing in alphabetical order. Each country chapter includes the primary cities and some practical information upon arrival in those cities (airport, how to get into town and get around once you’re there) just like any other guidebook. Besides the selection of countries, Bourdain’s presence is added through the handful of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments that were chosen to be included. His comments about these places, culled by Woolever from Bourdain’s own words on his various TV shows, are liberally spread throughout, and serve as the primary vehicle for Bourdain’s voice itself. All this information is certainly interesting if you’re a fan of Bourdain, but it’s of very little use in helping to plan a trip, other than to maybe help you select one or more of the places he recommends. The practical information at the beginning of each chapter can be obtained from any other guidebook, one of which you will have to purchase anyway since this book doesn’t have enough info to serve as a primary guidebook. So it effectively lacks a real purpose save one: to experience Bourdain’s words again.

And that could be enough for some of us. Woolever knows this is targeted at fans of Bourdain and tries to inject as much of him as possible. Interspersed throughout the book are essays written by friends of Bourdain’s who write about what he meant to them. Many of them are good, and some very touching; however, once I read in the introduction that it was originally intended for Bourdain himself to write these essays about the many people and places that moved him, the knowledge that we missed out on those made me feel less for the ones we got.

But it’s probably unfair to judge this book based on the disappointment that it’s not exactly as it would have been. I began to imagine all the different ways this book could have been better if he had just lived to publish it (for example, I think the chapters would have been better designed if they had been informed more by the “Perfect Day” pieces they have on the Parts Unknown website…of course I have no idea he would have wanted to present them that way if he had lived). But that’s of no use. The book we have here is still a valuable look into his views on the many different places in the world that he wanted us to know about. This probably isn’t a book we’ll want to bring on trips with us, but there is enough here to inspire us to travel, and to guide us a little in Bourdain’s voice—a crude facsimile of what we had, but unfortunately, the best version we’re going to get. For those days when we don’t have time to stream one of his shows, this can serve as a resource to dip into now and again when we want or need that inspiration. This will never replace what could have been, but if you loved the guy, you may still think this is something great.
38 people found this helpful
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Dwayne H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Travel changes you
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
As Anthony Bourdain once famously said, "Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you."

Bourdain's "World Travel: An Irreverent Guide" is a fascinating and inspiring read that takes readers on a culinary and cultural journey around the world. It's a testament to Bourdain's love of adventure, his passion for food, and his insatiable curiosity about the world.

The book is divided into sections that focus on different regions of the world, each containing stories, tips, and recommendations for travelers. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the bustling markets of Mexico City, Bourdain offers readers a unique perspective on the world's most exciting destinations.

What sets "World Travel" apart is Bourdain's writing style. His prose is direct, honest, and unapologetic, which only adds to the book's charm. He pulls no punches in his opinions, and his sense of humor is always close at hand.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Bourdain's passion for food. He's always on the lookout for the best local cuisine, and his descriptions of meals are mouth-watering. Whether he's digging into street food in Singapore or indulging in a lavish feast in Paris, Bourdain's love of food is contagious.

In conclusion, "World Travel: An Irreverent Guide" is an excellent book for anyone who loves to travel, eat, or simply enjoys a good story. Bourdain's unique perspective, his witty humor, and his infectious passion for life make this a must-read for anyone looking to explore the world and leave their own mark on it.
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Book arrived on time and in good shape. Thank you.
4.0 out of 5 stars Is written just as Anthony Bourdain spoke
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
You really feel like you are in a conversation with him reading this book. Only drawback is some of the restaurants are really off the grid and may have been safe for a whole camera crew going there at night, but may not be for your average person venturing out alone or as a couple. Take safety precautions in some places.
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Shellyshell47
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm mesmerized by Anthony Bourdain, seemed happy and content in his life, guess not?
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
To read
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Stephen Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Two for one price
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
I liked the fact that I paid for one copy and got two!!
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C
4.0 out of 5 stars A detailed travel guide with quotes from Bourdain's shows
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is a detailed travel guide, organized alphabetically by country, that gives suggestions for how to get around, what to do, and where to eat in various places around the world. It is structured as a general guide, not as a cohesive story, and not entirely in Bourdain's own words.

For each location there is a section about how to get there and how to get around; and then some places to visit, and of course places to eat. Quotes and advice from Anthony Bourdain are written in bold print in each section, so that they stand out from the rest of the text which is more general information that has been compiled by other people. It seems like most, if not all of these quotes are directly from his TV shows.

Even though there was less previously unreleased content directly from Bourdain than I had expected, it still contains quite a bit of his own personal take on all of these interesting places. Anyone that watched his shows can probably imagine or remember him saying some of these things, and recall his distinct and charismatic personality.

I hope that most of these places are still open and will survive the lack of tourism during the pandemic, as this seems like a useful collection of information and tips about some great places I'd like to visit sometime in the future.

RIP to an incredible person, at least he lived an amazing life full of remarkable experiences.
67 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone who loves travel!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
I told my family this was their Mother’s Day gift to me, and I am loving every single page. I have to admit I bought this book simply because of the Bourdain name without knowing anything about it.. but I am getting so much more out of it than I thought! The book is divided by countries that Tony visited, and includes what he thought of each location, places he went and how many times he had been there, things he did, etc. Then there are behind the scenes stories from the people around him that reveal things about Tony and his lifestyle, and perhaps my favorite stories are from the restaurant owners who got “Tony’d” etc. It’s probably not meant to be read cover to cover but I am doing so, and this book is satisfying my need to get out of the country without being able to get out of the country. I wouldn’t consider myself a “book reader”.. I just love travel and would recommend this to anyone who has a travel bucket list.
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AK
4.0 out of 5 stars Remembering Anthony Bourdain
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
Received the book on release day, April 20, 2021. Readers should note the book was created based off of a 1-hour planning conversation between Anthony Bourdain and his assistant writer, Laurie Woolever. Unfortunately, Bourdain died before the book could get underway so the contents are an amalgamation of quotes from his prior work (e.g., No Reservations, Parts Unknown) as well as input from family and friends who knew him. Therefore, much of the book feels like a re-tread rather than new/unreleased insights by Bourdain himself. Text is split between quotes from Bourdain (written in the blue font like on the dustcover) as well as black text to represent Woolever's contribution, which is a thoughtful touch on Woolever's part. The book also has a detailed list of quote sources so you can go find when and where Bourdain said something if you want to peruse his other work. If you want to relive some of Bourdain's greatest travel spots, then you should enjoy the book. I gave four stars as I really was hoping for more new/not formerly released info, but the book still is a nice nod to Bourdain's prolific career as a chef, traveler, and cultural icon.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for my brother
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
My brother just retired and is traveling and this book is perfect
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Marva
5.0 out of 5 stars World Travel
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
An excellent body of work. I had followed Anthony's T.V. show for a long while. It was so different - so authentic. I always loved how he resonated with the people and they embraced him. Some things are just not made up for fabricated - his shows seemed so very real. I like the book and grateful I purchased it. Thumbs up for a great job. :)
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