I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting from this book, maybe more of a travel essay type book about a bunch of different places Anthony Bourdain had visited around the world, but it isn’t that. A lot of people seem to be very disappointed in this book and while it wasn’t what I was expecting it gave me enough Anthony Bourdain that I liked it.

What it is is a cross between Anthony Bourdain quotes from his numerous tv shows, interviews, and books and an actual travel guide book with details on airports, transportation, hotels, and restaurants. It really isn’t just a book to read, even though that’s what I did, read it in order, alphabetically, country or city, one after the other. Some had lots of quotes, which I could hear in Bourdain’s voice as I read them, others had just a snippet of a particular restaurant or chef that must have really stood out. There were a few travel essays written by others, like Anthony’s brother, thrown in here and there, and they were some of the best parts.

While don’t think this is a book I’d necessarily recommend to anyone. If I knew someone was traveling to an area that was mentioned in the book and they were an Anthony Bourdain fan I’d probably tell them to check out the section of the book on that place.