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The Best American Travel Writing 2006
Tim Cahill writes in his introduction to The Best American Travel Writing 2006, "'Story' is the essence of the travel essay. Stories are the way we organize the chaos in our lives, orchestrate voluminous factual material, and -- if we are very good -- shed some light on the human condition." Here are twenty-six pieces that showcase the best travel writing from 2005, filled with "keen observations that transform ordinary journeys into extraordinary ones" (Library Journal).
Mark Jenkins journeys into a forgotten valley in Afghanistan, Kevin Fedarko takes a wild ride through the rapids of the Grand Canyon, and Christopher Solomon reports on the newest fad to hit South Korea: downhill skiing. For David Sedaris, a seemingly routine domestic flight is cause for a witty rumination on modern airline travel. Alain de Botton describes the discreet charms of Zurich, and Ian Frazier recalls leaving the small Midwestern town he called home. Michael Paterniti gives a touching portrait of the world's tallest man -- eight and a half feet and growing, while P.J. O'Rourke visits an airplane manufacturer to see firsthand how the French make the world's biggest passenger plane. George Saunders is dazzled by a trip to the "Vegas of the Middle East," Rolf Potts takes on tantric yoga for dilettantes, and Sean Flynn documents a seedier side of travel -- the newest hotspot in the international sex trade.
Culled from a wide variety of publications, these stories, as Cahill writes, all "touched me in one way or another, changed an attitude, made me laugh aloud, or provided fuel for my dreams. I wish the reader similar joys."
Mark Jenkins journeys into a forgotten valley in Afghanistan, Kevin Fedarko takes a wild ride through the rapids of the Grand Canyon, and Christopher Solomon reports on the newest fad to hit South Korea: downhill skiing. For David Sedaris, a seemingly routine domestic flight is cause for a witty rumination on modern airline travel. Alain de Botton describes the discreet charms of Zurich, and Ian Frazier recalls leaving the small Midwestern town he called home. Michael Paterniti gives a touching portrait of the world's tallest man -- eight and a half feet and growing, while P.J. O'Rourke visits an airplane manufacturer to see firsthand how the French make the world's biggest passenger plane. George Saunders is dazzled by a trip to the "Vegas of the Middle East," Rolf Potts takes on tantric yoga for dilettantes, and Sean Flynn documents a seedier side of travel -- the newest hotspot in the international sex trade.
Culled from a wide variety of publications, these stories, as Cahill writes, all "touched me in one way or another, changed an attitude, made me laugh aloud, or provided fuel for my dreams. I wish the reader similar joys."
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2006
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About the author
Tim Cahill
98 books172 followersTim Cahill (born 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee) is a travel writer who lives in Livingston, Montana, United States. He is a founding editor of Outside magazine and currently serves as an "Editor at Large" for the magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 7, 2010
Here is a rundown of the essays in the 2006 compilation that stand out in my mind:
“After the Fall” by Tom Bissell and Morgan Meis
In this essay, the authors visit Vietnam, a week in advance of the 30th anniversary of South Vietnam’s surrender. Things go wrong for the journalists when they visit a few too many dissidents. The end of the article finds one of them stumbling around Saigon while the celebrations commence, his companions having been forced to leave the country.
“The Discreet Charm of the Zurich Bourgeoisie” by Alain de Botton
A sample quote: "Attractive girls born outside Switzerland are particularly against going to Zurich. Such girls (and modern science has proved this) prefer Los Angeles or Sydney. Even if they are looking for something Protestant and homey, they choose Antwerp or Copenhagen instead." (p. 71-72)
“Ain’t It Just Grand?” by Kevin Fedarko
This was a lovely essay where Fedarko travels on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon – a three week journey. Their lead guide is a conservation legend: Martin Litton, who fought plans to dam the Colorado River, helped champion the cause of the redwood forests, and also set up this unique whitewater company in the Grand Canyon, which uses wooden dories instead of inflated rafts. The essay describes the journey and also profiles Litton.
“The Price of Paradise” by Caitlin Flanagan
This was a hilarious New Yorker piece about the author’s fascination with Hawaiian vacations, despite being vaguely disappointed each time. The essay particularly focuses on a recent stay at the Grand Wailea, where the battle for deckchairs is fierce.
“Where They Love Americans . . . for a Living” by Sean Flynn
This is one of my favorite essays. Flynn starts out deceptively nonchalant in describing the prostitution scene in Costa Rica, the American men trolling the bars. Then Flynn suddenly spins the narrative around and shows some teeth, shredding into the male fantasies that have branded Costa Rica as a ’sex haven.’
“Out of Ohio” by Ian Frazier
This essay is a wonderfully written ode to the author’s hometown of Hudson, Ohio. When he describes the days spent there after his college graduation, he captures the feel of summer and transition. He also describes hitchhiking to Chicago, Florida and New York.
“A Short Walk in the Wakhan Corridor” by Mark Jenkins
One of the adventurer tales in the compilation, Jenkins’ essay describes his travels in the Wakhan Corridor, a northern valley in Afghanistan. It used to be part of the famous Silk Road. Greg Mortenson (author of Three Cups of Tea) is a friend of Mark Jenkins and is present for some of the journey.
“XXXXL” by Michael Paterniti
In rural Ukraine, there lives a giant – a man who is over eight feet tall thanks to a botched surgery in his childhood. Fascinated by a news story about this man, Leonid Stadnik, the author decides to travel to Ukraine to interview him. The travel narrative within the travel narrative is the story of Leonid’s only trip outside of Ukraine – a short visit to Germany. It is a gentle, haunting story and I was left with the image of the giant in his apple orchard “because only the apples and the beets don’t care what size you are.”
“The New Mecca” by George Saunders
The setting is Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I love how Saunders does not settle for the easy story here. He is in awe of the excessive luxury of the place but also aware of the immigrant labor that runs the city. It’s a kaleidoscopic piece: each segment is a newly shaken perspective.
“Airborne” by Sally Shivnan
Anyone who likes looking out the window in flight will love this essay. Shivnan muses on how the aerial view of the United States affects how she views the country.
Quote: "… even Manhattan, viewed from the right altitude, is defined not by its population density but by the chunk of rock between two rivers that it stands on; it is an island with a city on it, not a city on an island." (p. 273)
“A Peaceful Angle” by Patrick Symmes
Symmes describes a fishing trip in the Mongolian wild. The sought-after prize in their catch-and-release fishing is the elusive, large taimen, from the salmon family. Jim Nachtwey, a veteran war photographer is one of Symmes’ fellow anglers and the essay is also a little bit about him.
“After the Fall” by Tom Bissell and Morgan Meis
In this essay, the authors visit Vietnam, a week in advance of the 30th anniversary of South Vietnam’s surrender. Things go wrong for the journalists when they visit a few too many dissidents. The end of the article finds one of them stumbling around Saigon while the celebrations commence, his companions having been forced to leave the country.
“The Discreet Charm of the Zurich Bourgeoisie” by Alain de Botton
A sample quote: "Attractive girls born outside Switzerland are particularly against going to Zurich. Such girls (and modern science has proved this) prefer Los Angeles or Sydney. Even if they are looking for something Protestant and homey, they choose Antwerp or Copenhagen instead." (p. 71-72)
“Ain’t It Just Grand?” by Kevin Fedarko
This was a lovely essay where Fedarko travels on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon – a three week journey. Their lead guide is a conservation legend: Martin Litton, who fought plans to dam the Colorado River, helped champion the cause of the redwood forests, and also set up this unique whitewater company in the Grand Canyon, which uses wooden dories instead of inflated rafts. The essay describes the journey and also profiles Litton.
“The Price of Paradise” by Caitlin Flanagan
This was a hilarious New Yorker piece about the author’s fascination with Hawaiian vacations, despite being vaguely disappointed each time. The essay particularly focuses on a recent stay at the Grand Wailea, where the battle for deckchairs is fierce.
“Where They Love Americans . . . for a Living” by Sean Flynn
This is one of my favorite essays. Flynn starts out deceptively nonchalant in describing the prostitution scene in Costa Rica, the American men trolling the bars. Then Flynn suddenly spins the narrative around and shows some teeth, shredding into the male fantasies that have branded Costa Rica as a ’sex haven.’
“Out of Ohio” by Ian Frazier
This essay is a wonderfully written ode to the author’s hometown of Hudson, Ohio. When he describes the days spent there after his college graduation, he captures the feel of summer and transition. He also describes hitchhiking to Chicago, Florida and New York.
“A Short Walk in the Wakhan Corridor” by Mark Jenkins
One of the adventurer tales in the compilation, Jenkins’ essay describes his travels in the Wakhan Corridor, a northern valley in Afghanistan. It used to be part of the famous Silk Road. Greg Mortenson (author of Three Cups of Tea) is a friend of Mark Jenkins and is present for some of the journey.
“XXXXL” by Michael Paterniti
In rural Ukraine, there lives a giant – a man who is over eight feet tall thanks to a botched surgery in his childhood. Fascinated by a news story about this man, Leonid Stadnik, the author decides to travel to Ukraine to interview him. The travel narrative within the travel narrative is the story of Leonid’s only trip outside of Ukraine – a short visit to Germany. It is a gentle, haunting story and I was left with the image of the giant in his apple orchard “because only the apples and the beets don’t care what size you are.”
“The New Mecca” by George Saunders
The setting is Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I love how Saunders does not settle for the easy story here. He is in awe of the excessive luxury of the place but also aware of the immigrant labor that runs the city. It’s a kaleidoscopic piece: each segment is a newly shaken perspective.
“Airborne” by Sally Shivnan
Anyone who likes looking out the window in flight will love this essay. Shivnan muses on how the aerial view of the United States affects how she views the country.
Quote: "… even Manhattan, viewed from the right altitude, is defined not by its population density but by the chunk of rock between two rivers that it stands on; it is an island with a city on it, not a city on an island." (p. 273)
“A Peaceful Angle” by Patrick Symmes
Symmes describes a fishing trip in the Mongolian wild. The sought-after prize in their catch-and-release fishing is the elusive, large taimen, from the salmon family. Jim Nachtwey, a veteran war photographer is one of Symmes’ fellow anglers and the essay is also a little bit about him.
November 23, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded down. Like any collection, some essays are better than others.
It was interesting to read this collection, from 2006, in 2020. And to reflect on how different travel, and the world in general, was at the this time. Of course now in 2020, travel is not possible. But that issue aside, travel in 2006 (or, in 2005, the year these articles were written) is quite different from now. The first iPhone was not even released yet, so it was not common to have a GPS in your pocket at all times. The US was in the throws of two major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (this fact alone makes the Wakhan Corridor article all the more remarkable).
Some of the articles rubbed me the wrong way, probably mostly: The New Mecca (published in GQ, about Dubai) seemed to be written by a person who is, at best naive and at worst willfully ignorant of all of the problems that plague Dubai, forced labor being only one. The author also describes it as tolerant and inclusive, which....I guess it depends on which countries UAE is being compared to. Forced labor issues are mentioned, to be sure, but appear to be not taken seriously/dismissed quickly. To be honest, I found all three of the GQ articles to be among the weakest/most problematic in the collection.
While Outside Magazine and The New Yorker are both well represented, I appreciate the range of publications represented in this collection, including a number of publications I've never heard of.
My favorite articles in this collection include:
Ain't it Just Grand
A Short Walk in the Wakhan Corridor
Passing Through
Turbulence
A Peaceful Angle
It was interesting to read this collection, from 2006, in 2020. And to reflect on how different travel, and the world in general, was at the this time. Of course now in 2020, travel is not possible. But that issue aside, travel in 2006 (or, in 2005, the year these articles were written) is quite different from now. The first iPhone was not even released yet, so it was not common to have a GPS in your pocket at all times. The US was in the throws of two major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (this fact alone makes the Wakhan Corridor article all the more remarkable).
Some of the articles rubbed me the wrong way, probably mostly: The New Mecca (published in GQ, about Dubai) seemed to be written by a person who is, at best naive and at worst willfully ignorant of all of the problems that plague Dubai, forced labor being only one. The author also describes it as tolerant and inclusive, which....I guess it depends on which countries UAE is being compared to. Forced labor issues are mentioned, to be sure, but appear to be not taken seriously/dismissed quickly. To be honest, I found all three of the GQ articles to be among the weakest/most problematic in the collection.
While Outside Magazine and The New Yorker are both well represented, I appreciate the range of publications represented in this collection, including a number of publications I've never heard of.
My favorite articles in this collection include:
Ain't it Just Grand
A Short Walk in the Wakhan Corridor
Passing Through
Turbulence
A Peaceful Angle
Read
June 5, 2017This is travel writing that takes you beyond place – and beyond mere description. These pieces illuminate the places visited by looking beyond tourist clichés and descriptions, by looking at the people and the issues that inform these geographies, or by looking anew at places travelled to previously. There are pieces which shine a spotlight on personal experiences, mixing the personal with the place, and there are pieces which mine the conundrums that face all of us as tourists, travellers or guests passing through.
May 9, 2008
Just read it!!! Plenty in there for anybody. It's one good one after another.
August 28, 2017
Not every article was great but many were, and very enciteful. Among the many places with stories were Tanzania, Kandahar, Patagonia, Kashmir, DRC, Ivory Coast, Capetown, Vermont.
2004 - Pico Iyer
2004 - Pico Iyer
August 31, 2021
Each story is exxquisitely rendered and as happily devoured. I would highly recommend this book of travel stories to anyone who enjoys that particular genre.
October 28, 2025
Usually love this series, but none of the stories in this year’s collection resonated.
January 30, 2015
I really do love the Best American Travel Writing series. This is the third or fourth I have read, and I look forward to reading them all someday (in my heart at least). In fact, Houghton Mifflin's entire Best series is well worth my reading time. Still, despite all that, this was not my favorite of the bunch. This editor seemed to favor more adrenaline-filled and visceral pieces, whereas I guess my taste runs more towards thoughtful stuff. Also, there are a few pieces in here I could have very much done without, such as overrated David Sedaris's little throwaway item and the often-a-bit-dull Ian Frazier's reminiscences of growing up in an Ohio town (that is travel writing?)
Of course there were still brilliant pieces in here that make the book well worth reading, and in no way out of date. Michael Behar's "The Selling of the Last Savage" is a must-read, that is all that can be said about it. Paul Bennett's wry look back on giving up everything to sail around the world should likewise not be missed. Tad Friend's profile of Lonely Planet honcho Tony Wheeler is a fascinating portrait that supposedly is the basis of a movie that is in development. P.J. O'Rourke's piece demonstrates very clearly why he is one of the most popular humor writers at work today, and Tony Perrottet's piece also had me laughing out loud and looking up his books on Amazon. Kira Salak's visit to her ancestral homeland of Libya is another trip you will want to hear about, as is George Saunders dizzying and satirical look at the splendors of Dubai. In "Airborne" Sally Shivnan applies superb prose skills to something this reviewer has done a fair amount of himself, looking out an airplane window. So it may not be the best of the series, but there are still plenty of reasons for fans of good travel writing to give this book a try.
Of course there were still brilliant pieces in here that make the book well worth reading, and in no way out of date. Michael Behar's "The Selling of the Last Savage" is a must-read, that is all that can be said about it. Paul Bennett's wry look back on giving up everything to sail around the world should likewise not be missed. Tad Friend's profile of Lonely Planet honcho Tony Wheeler is a fascinating portrait that supposedly is the basis of a movie that is in development. P.J. O'Rourke's piece demonstrates very clearly why he is one of the most popular humor writers at work today, and Tony Perrottet's piece also had me laughing out loud and looking up his books on Amazon. Kira Salak's visit to her ancestral homeland of Libya is another trip you will want to hear about, as is George Saunders dizzying and satirical look at the splendors of Dubai. In "Airborne" Sally Shivnan applies superb prose skills to something this reviewer has done a fair amount of himself, looking out an airplane window. So it may not be the best of the series, but there are still plenty of reasons for fans of good travel writing to give this book a try.
March 1, 2015
I've read almost all of the pieces in this book, but I still have a few left to go. I like everything I've read here, but sometimes I want to read something with a plot, something that doesn't make me do a lot of brain work.
UPDATE: I’ve yet to meet a Best American book I didn’t like.
This was my first Best American Travel Writing, and it lives up to the reputation of the rest of the series.
My favorite pieces in this collection are “Where They Love Americans…for a Living” by Sean Flynn (about prostitution in Costa Rica); “How to Sail Across the Atlantic,” by Paul Bennett; “The Price of Paradise,” by Caitlin Flanagan (about a stay at the Grand Wailea, a Hawaiian luxury resort); “Rediscovering Libya," by Kira Salak; “The New Mecca,” by George Saunders (about Dubai); and “Let’s Ski Korea,” by Christopher Salomon.
Really though, it would not be an exaggeration to say that I enjoyed reading every piece in this book. It’s not often I can say that about any collection of the written word.
UPDATE: I’ve yet to meet a Best American book I didn’t like.
This was my first Best American Travel Writing, and it lives up to the reputation of the rest of the series.
My favorite pieces in this collection are “Where They Love Americans…for a Living” by Sean Flynn (about prostitution in Costa Rica); “How to Sail Across the Atlantic,” by Paul Bennett; “The Price of Paradise,” by Caitlin Flanagan (about a stay at the Grand Wailea, a Hawaiian luxury resort); “Rediscovering Libya," by Kira Salak; “The New Mecca,” by George Saunders (about Dubai); and “Let’s Ski Korea,” by Christopher Salomon.
Really though, it would not be an exaggeration to say that I enjoyed reading every piece in this book. It’s not often I can say that about any collection of the written word.
July 16, 2007
I love these compendiums of short stories - it's an excellent opportunity to be exposed to writers that you otherwise would not have heard of. Pick any genre you like - I like mystery and travel - and take down little bite size pieces of reading. The travel stories, especially, can be little epics of adventure of which you can tackle several in the course of a quiet evening.
I picked this one up because Tim Cahill, the editor, is one of my favorite travel writers. Previous installments have ended up being ecological morality tales and rather depressing; Cahill injects some much needed humor with his selections.
Although it must be said that the breezy treatment - most of the articles are pulled from magazines like GQ or The New Yorker, so that you might get the same experience by just reading those magazines. All in all - a lot of fun.
I picked this one up because Tim Cahill, the editor, is one of my favorite travel writers. Previous installments have ended up being ecological morality tales and rather depressing; Cahill injects some much needed humor with his selections.
Although it must be said that the breezy treatment - most of the articles are pulled from magazines like GQ or The New Yorker, so that you might get the same experience by just reading those magazines. All in all - a lot of fun.
April 14, 2008
This book is a collection of essays and articles previously published in magazines such as Outside, GQ, the New Yorker, Nat. Geo. Adventure, etc. It has a good blend of stories one might expect with the midset of a magazine writer. The book therefore is well written and approaches travel and culture with erudition and insight. Some articles cover international sea travel, traveling in hostile or primative countries and regions, or lampooning decadent or silly displays of tourism in Hawaii, Dubai, or Korea. My favorite article is called Turbulence by David Sedaris, which is pure Sedaris and completely hilarious. Its a good book to read, although its not lifechanging, and it may be a good alternative to buying 5 of your favorite magazine subscriptions (provided you actually read some of the articles).
December 30, 2012
Don't skip Cahill's Introduction, in which he says, "story is the essence of travel writing." He chose pieces that tell a great story and are "brutal in eliminating purely informational material...Guidebooks are about logistics; stories arise from the heart, and are the essence of travel."
The only reason I didn't give this four stars is that some of the pieces tend toward complaint and dark stories. But that's the beauty of an anthology; you can skip onto the next piece if you're not digging the current one. MOST of the pieces in here are worth reading.
I love this "Best American" series and have bought a bunch of years of it for quite cheap. No reason to spend a bunch of money on the current one when past ones are just as rich.
The only reason I didn't give this four stars is that some of the pieces tend toward complaint and dark stories. But that's the beauty of an anthology; you can skip onto the next piece if you're not digging the current one. MOST of the pieces in here are worth reading.
I love this "Best American" series and have bought a bunch of years of it for quite cheap. No reason to spend a bunch of money on the current one when past ones are just as rich.
October 18, 2007
Seriously,
the title really is true. This was amazing. I loved it to pieces. My parents gave it to me for chirstmas and I was mightly confused. After reading it once through, i started over again just so i could remember all the places that I'd been in the book.
The different writing styles, the love\hate\fear of the places discribed, and amazing.
two favorites include, mountaineering in Afghanistan, and a drunken christmas/new years in st. petersburg (there is a great quote about a video shown in a bathroom).
the title really is true. This was amazing. I loved it to pieces. My parents gave it to me for chirstmas and I was mightly confused. After reading it once through, i started over again just so i could remember all the places that I'd been in the book.
The different writing styles, the love\hate\fear of the places discribed, and amazing.
two favorites include, mountaineering in Afghanistan, and a drunken christmas/new years in st. petersburg (there is a great quote about a video shown in a bathroom).
April 5, 2016
This book was given to me as a retirement present several years ago. (Thanks Ann!) I picked it up for our recent trip and found it to be a great read for our time away from home. It swings all the way from crazy adventures to interesting facts about a variety of locations... Zurich, Costa Rica, Ohio, etc. I'll happily share it with anyone who enjoys reading short non-fiction stories... 26 in all from a variety of authors including David Sedaris, P.J. O'Rourke, Sean Flynn, and numerous others.
February 21, 2007
A collection of short stories with travel as the focus. I have read all the editions of the series since 98 and this one has me waiting for 07. I love the subject matter and seeing what counts as a travel story...the Sedaris story is excellent, as is the one on Afghanastan (sp?), but if you are just getting into travel writting I have to say the 98 edition edited by Bill Bryson has some of the best short stories I have ever encountered.
Word.
Word.
July 7, 2009
I picked this up on an exchange shelf while on Bequia this winter -- seemed appropriate. I've been picking it up and reading the essays one or two at a time every since, and so many of them have been enjoyable that I'm giving this the full five stars. Oddities like skiing in South Korea and experiencing Dubai, and creepy things like a trip into the interior of New Guinea, and just a whole variety. I guess I'm going to have to start picking up this Best series along with the short stories.
July 7, 2009
This was an excellent collection that really helped me engage my travel writing wet dream. Best articals include: The New Mecca by George Saunders, The Selling of the Last Savage by Michael Behar, A St. Petersburg Christmas by Gary Shteyngart, and Lets Ski Korea by Christopher Solomon. There are several other really good ones. I am making it a personal goal get into the 2009 or 2010 editions, so keep your eye out.
November 16, 2016
Travel makes me want to travel more, and so does this series. This volume of the series, guest-edited by Tim Cahill, holds up in 2016 with standout writing by the likes of Ian Frazier (leaving your hometown), David Sedaris (on a spat over airplane seating), and George Saunders (experiencing Dubai's hotels and managing to extrapolate to really bigger things.) Also contains a great and memorable piece that should work as an antidote to any romantic notions of sailing around the world.
August 5, 2007
This book incompased stories from all over the World. Stories of travel harships, challenges, and even love abroad. I would suggest this book to everyone. Its stories range from 2 pages to 30.
Every story is different from the next, and the information that I have learned from each essay will keep my travel bug itching!
Every story is different from the next, and the information that I have learned from each essay will keep my travel bug itching!
October 12, 2008
This is the second in this annual series which I have read. They have a wonderful collection of stories which are loosely clumped as travelogues, but really span an incredibly wide range of well-written nonfiction about different places. It is quite fun to read of all these places I would love to go if I had the time and money!
November 10, 2012
I used this book in a few of my undergrad Rhetoric classes, and they loved many of these stories, especially Skiing in Korea (hilarious). The range of voices, places, and travel styles makes this a great discussion-starter, especially for my classes of international students who have traveled widely.
January 27, 2009
A compilation of short travel essays. Some of my favorite stories:
"The Price of Paradise" -- Poking fun at an enormously expensive trip to the Grand Waimea.
"The New Mecca" -- Surreal trip through Dubai and speaking with the worker inhabitants there.
"Out of Ohio"-- A beautiful reminiscence on growing up in Ohio, and hitchiking out of, and back to Ohio. Gorgeous!
"The Price of Paradise" -- Poking fun at an enormously expensive trip to the Grand Waimea.
"The New Mecca" -- Surreal trip through Dubai and speaking with the worker inhabitants there.
"Out of Ohio"-- A beautiful reminiscence on growing up in Ohio, and hitchiking out of, and back to Ohio. Gorgeous!
September 30, 2012
My favorite pieces from this volume:
Michael Behar, "The Selling of the Last Savage" (Indonesia)
Sean Flynn, "Where They Love Americans...for a Living" (Costa Rica)
Pico Iyer, "Our Lady of Lawson" (Japan)
George Saunders, "The New Mecca" (Dubai)
David Sedaris, "Turbulence" (air travel)
Gary Shteyngart, "A St. Petersburg Christmas" (Russia)
Michael Behar, "The Selling of the Last Savage" (Indonesia)
Sean Flynn, "Where They Love Americans...for a Living" (Costa Rica)
Pico Iyer, "Our Lady of Lawson" (Japan)
George Saunders, "The New Mecca" (Dubai)
David Sedaris, "Turbulence" (air travel)
Gary Shteyngart, "A St. Petersburg Christmas" (Russia)
October 30, 2007
Kind of a mixed bag, but some of these are truly excellent. The PJ O'Rourke piece stands out - who knew a tour of an Airbus factory could be funny? Heidi Julavits's exploration of nudity as a destination is thought-provoking too.
January 9, 2008
These are great and a new one is published every year! They are the best travel essays from the year previous and give a story about the place that was experienced as opposed to a 'eat here! sleep here!' It gives a good perspective on what a place is really like.
June 7, 2008
with gas prices at an all-time high, airports overcrowded, and the dollar in the toilet, looks like i'll be staying home this summer! luckily, this collection of short-stories makes me live vicariously through the authors, and even at times makes me happy to be at home!
December 28, 2009
So far this is the best of the "best american travel" anthologies i read. i love the personal look at the founder of "lonely planet" and the stories on dubai and libya and sailing across the atlantic were also great.
September 26, 2010
I love travel writing. I love short stories. It's a perfect combo. A variety of writing styles and places visited means you can skip anything that doesn't suit your fancy. There were some pretty fantastic and very funny chapters.
April 18, 2011
A good mix of articles, especially enjoyed the one about the oldest Turkish bath house, Costa Rica (who knew that it was a prostitute paradise vacation? Now I will have these images every time a man says he's taking a buddy trip there.), and Calvin Trillin's search for a good bowl of stew.
February 21, 2013
The book was kinda hit and miss. I really liked the essays titled something like "25 things I've learned about sailing across the Atlantic", "The discrete charm of bourgeoisie" and "A shared plate". Worth a read (especially since I traded for it and then traded this for another book).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews