The Year of Eating Dangerously: A Global Adventure in Search of Culinary Extremes

At first, eating elvers seems a little exotic. Eating adult eels seems unpalatable here in the US, and eating their babies seems even more so, but what's dangerous about it? Well, fishing for them can get you killed by other fishermen. By the time I had finished reading that first chapter, I was hooked. Writing about food is impossible. You can't convey the smell, the taste, the texture, and although Tom does his best, that's not really why this book is so compelling. It's really an adventure book, about not drowning while trying to harvest pink penis barnacles in the wild waters off celtic Spain, about dining with the Mafia in Sicily without doing something that will get you killed, about a disappointing fugu, followed by an exquisite fugu, about trying - and failing - to choke down dog stew that reeks of wet dog, of dining on a version of pho that is even tastier than the Vietnamese version. This is the kind of book you'll want to have five extra copies of to give away, so you can talk about it with your friends.

A quirky and interesting volume. . . .Tom Parker Bowles takes time out of his life to search out "extreme food," to engage in culinary adventures. In his words, this book is about (page xx) ". . .a fascination with the world's diverse cuisines." He (page xx) "wanted to sample everything however gruesome, to try and establish some kind of culinary context." And the book features much information (even wittily presented) about cultures throughout the world, as an even greater context for cuisine. Places that he explores include England, New Mexico, China, Nashville, Tokyo, Korea, Laos, Spain, and Sicily. Sometimes, he experiences genuine surprise, in that Laos clearly represents one of his best eating stops--much against what he had guessed. And, to repeat, it is witty. I was actually laughing as he serves as a judge at a barbeque context in Lynchburg Tennessee (although the chapter is entitled Nashville!). He describes the disappointment at poor products, prepared lovingly by cooks; he revels in the delights that were cooked to perfection. Other chapters, to exemplify his treatment. In Laos, he began with rather low expectations. He describes weird dishes (at least weird to Westerners), such as live shrimp as a kind of salad--looking horrific and tasting great. He ate in Vientiane and in Luang Prabang, experiencing very different cuisine; however, he enjoyed and appreciated each. And, as always, he provides history, refers to written works on the country, and surrounds his discussion of the food with an appreciation of the larger society. His description of cities in New Mexico is quite negative, and presented in a manner that aficionados will call witty and New Mexico residents snide. Nonetheless, he is there for the The National Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show in Albuquerque. He had always enjoyed chili and other hot foods. So he was desperate to check out a well known (at least to him) festival in New Mexico. Again, his writing is hilarious as he talks about eating some chili dish that is way hotter than he would have wanted. The richness of the discussion of chili and other hot substances and the experts who gathered at the festival is really quite compelling. Then, the story of elvers. . . . But enough of the specifics. Readers can explore the pages of this volume and determine which episodes are most interesting. I would recommend this book as much for its depiction of cultures and the food as part of these cultures as for its description of some generally strange foods. A nice read.

Author, Parker Bowles offers an entertaining global tour of extreme cuisine. Personally, I liken him to a British version of Anthony Bourdaine, without the chain-smoking and drug rehab history. His irreverent sardonic wit and wry observations sprinkle this tasty recipe as Parker Bowles travels the globe in search of weird and bizarre foods. Some of these are fairly middle-of-the-road, such as his search for the perfect barbecue in middle America. Parker Bowles has some devastating observations about Santa Fe, New Mexico and Korea. One of the interesting chapters is his visit to Korea, where he is in search of eating the perfect plate of dog. He found the experience to pressing and distasteful and you may as well. Occasionally Parker Bowles hammers back a few more drinks than he should, and he treats us to his account of rip roaring morning-after hangovers, during which time he is still expected to play tourist and visit various local market stalls, all the while attempting to suppress his gag reflex. He makes it sound hilarious, though I'm sure he was in extreme pain at the time. Parker Bowles was depressed by Korea but he fell in love and became enraptured by Laos. Essentially, he is a one man movement decrying the McDonald-ization and homogenization of food. Whether you are an epicure or gourmand or a fast-food foodie, you may enjoy this global gastronomic tour.

'The Year of Eating Dangerously' is a really good read with nine chapters based in specific locations: Gloucestershire (hunting for elvers) New Mexico (chillies) China (all sorts of strange things!) Nashville (barbecue championships) Tokyo (puffer fish) Korea (dog stew) Laos (various bits and pieces) Spain (extreme fishing with percebeiros trying to find the ultimate barnacle) and Sicily (dinner with the mob) Parker Bowles comes across as charming and self-aware (he knows that he's no Bourdain!) Occasionally he comes across like an overly-exuberant puppy on his quest for new tastes and flavours. But, this has to be balanced against all the times he gets horribly hung-over and is unable to taste anything. There are times when the locations seem to take over and he seems more like a frustrated travel writer rather than a gourmand! This is a really enjoyable read, but I did prefer some chapters to others. The Nashville Barbecue and the quest for the ultimate chilli experience in New Mexico were highlights for me. Recommended, but next time can we have a little less 'place' and a bit more 'plate'. Thanks!

Just finished reading "The Year of Eating Dangerously". To say that this is a major declaration on food and humanity is an understatement! It should be a college course on how to live fully and very well. While reading the book I wasn't really aware of Bowles famous pedigree. Even with it he writes with the common man's touch in his thinking. Bowles is much more than his mother's son - he can flat out write. Reminds me of very much of Bill Bryson with hints of Pete Hamill and Calvin Trillin. For a year he gives up his body in sometimes-hilarious circumstances for our education and entertainment by overstuffing it and imbibing more calories, liquor and heat than one really should. But what the hell, he's young and will recover from his gluttony, hangovers and ghosts. Besides some of us are very curious about non-bland foods. Not simply a food and travel writer he has surprising insights into who we are and what we put in our mouths with an astounding feel for history, people and the unusual. His quest is about a love for good food and a fascination with other cultures. In my travels I have been on the lookout for unusual foods and have not be swayed too much from the dangerous. The only thing that Bowles missed on my special foods list was horse, considered a mid-European delicacy. While reading this marvelous work I was reminded of several wonderful things: The best place to see inside a local culture is the neighborhood food markets. Eastern foods must be the most delicate blending of exotic flavors in history. The Chinese will eat anything if the correct sauce is found. Laotians live for today only and their foods reflect it. The fiercest, most courageous and best fishermen are still in Spain and Japan. Sicily has had more conquerors bringing food additions than any other small island. Eating dog makes me horny and macho afterwards. It smells and tastes like wet dog. Just because something smells horrific doesn't mean that it doesn't taste sensational. Just because something smells sensational doesn't mean that it doesn't taste horrific. Please do not compare this to `A Cook's Tour'. Anthony Bourdain was looking for the perfect meal and the book is a splendid read. Bowles was looking for foods that can literally kill a person. "The Year of Eating Dangerously" is a standout achievement on its own. This is a MUST READ for anyone who wants to understand people through what they eat. It will be placed in the food sections of bookstores but it should also be placed in the anthropological section as well. Read this book - you will relish the experience as much as I did!