World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, by Anthony Bourdain & Laurie Woolever

Imagine Anthony Bourdain leaning against a bar, cigarette in hand, dishing out travel advice like he's sharing state secrets. That's the vibe of World Travel: An Irreverent Guide - a posthumous collection that captures the essence of Bourdain's no-bullshit approach to exploring the world. Bourdain started this project before his untimely death in 2018. His longtime assistant and collaborator, Laurie Woolever, picked up the pieces and finished the job. She's woven together Bourdain's notes, TV show transcripts, and personal anecdotes to create something that feels like one last adventure with the globe-trotting chef.

The publication of World Travel: An Irreverent Guide stirred some controversy among Bourdain's fans and critics alike. While the book is marketed as Anthony Bourdain's work, questions arose about how much of the content truly originated from him, given that he and Woolever had only one meeting about the project before his death. Some readers felt the book lacked Bourdain's distinctive voice and depth, arguing that it relied too heavily on recycled material from his TV shows and previously published works. This debate touches on larger questions about posthumous publications and the ethics of completing an author's unfinished work, especially for a figure as beloved and unique as Bourdain.

The book covers 43 countries across six continents, each section peppered with Bourdain's acerbic commentary and insider tips. In Paris, he directs you to L'Ami Louis for roast chicken that'll make you weep. For Tokyo, he insists you brave the morning crush at Tsukiji Fish Market for the freshest sushi of your life. And in Glasgow, he practically dares you to try a deep-fried Mars bar after a night of heavy drinking.

But it's not just about the food. The book offers practical advice too, like how to navigate the chaotic streets of Saigon on a motorbike or where to find the best views of Hong Kong's skyline. He'll tell you which airports are hellholes (looking at you, LAX) and which hotels are worth the splurge. Interspersed throughout are essays from Bourdain's friends and family. His brother, Christopher, shares childhood memories of summers in France. Chef José Andrés recounts a memorable night of drinking in San Sebastian. These personal touches add depth and context to Bourdain's own observations.

This book won't tell you about the top 10 tourist traps or where to find the best selfie spots. Instead, it's a raw, sometimes messy look at the places Bourdain loved (and a few he loved to hate). From the dive bars of Buenos Aires to the street food stalls of Hanoi, Bourdain's voice comes through loud and clear. He tells you where to get properly drunk, how to piss off the locals, and why you should always, always eat the sketchy-looking thing being grilled on the street corner.

Bourdain's signature cynicism is here in spades, but so is his boundless curiosity and respect for the cultures he encounters. He'll mock pretentious restaurants mercilessly, then turn around and wax poetic about a bowl of noodles served by a little old lady in a back alley. Is it comprehensive? No, it isn’t meant to be. Is it always practical? Not really. But it's real, it's funny, and it might just inspire you to book a one-way ticket to somewhere you can't pronounce.

Despite the questions around Bourdain’s true involvement, World Travel is a fitting reminder of Bourdain's message to the world - a reminder to get off your ass and see the world, and a testament to Bourdain's insatiable curiosity and his gift for connecting with people through food and culture. In true Bourdain fashion, this book dares you to dive in headfirst, embrace the chaos, and come out the other side with a full belly and a damn good story to tell.