NIGHTSTAND
Books we recommend
WORLD TRAVEL: An Irreverent Guide By Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
Ecco (2021), $38
The last words in this book published posthumously epitomize what Anthony Bourdain wants the world to understand about everyone who cooks for other people: “In every case, it’s spectacularly fresh, and smells good. Time and time again you’re struck by how proud each vendor is. They all want you to try their food.”*
Bourdain spent almost two decades on television, traveling the globe shining the brightest lights on the brightest people in some of the brightest – and darkest – places. It didn’t matter if – and more often than not – the hotspot was a roadside shack or street stall where you can dine like a king for four dollars, or a four-star restaurant. The one-time chef knew what a great and memorable food experience was supposed to be.
World Travel is a travel guide; it’s as much as one you’d find from Fodor’s or Lonely Planet as it isn’t. It’s a very well-curated compilation of the best of the best of the best places Bourdain visited, mostly in his voice, using quotes from his TV shows (The Layover, No Reservations, Parts Unknown) and supplemented with backstory by Laurie Woolever, who was Bourdain’s right hand. Each country gets only a couple of pages, with just one or two places to eat; perhaps a recommendation of where to stay; even a tourist attraction. There are also your standard tips for flying into every city. It’s all you really need to travel like Bourdain and experience food from people who really want to feed you.
~ Jason Stahl
BLEEDING ORANGE: Fifty Years of Blind Referees, Screaming Fans, Beasts of the East, and Syracuse Basketball By Jim Boeheim
Harper (2014), $28
Jim Boeheim is Syracuse University. Even after (not quite sure what you would call it) he was unceremoniously relieved or decided to step down from his coaching duties after the 2022-2023 season, he’ll forever be synonymous with the Central New York school and the basketball program he built.
The shortest version of his time there goes something like this: He went to Syracuse as a student in 1963…and never left. As head coach he groomed such legendary players and personalities as Dave Bing, Derrick Coleman, Sherman Douglas, Pearl Washington and Carmelo Anthony. He accomplished everything a coach can fathom in the volatile world of college sports and doing it all at one school is unheard of.
This book was published in 2014, when Boeheim thought he might stop coaching after being at Syracuse for 50 years. What’s amazing is that he spent nine more seasons running his zone defense in “The Dome,” whose court bears his name.
For any Cuse alumni (like me), if you want to relive your days on the Hill, this book is 300 pages of memories: the six overtime game versus UCONN, the championship run in 2003, the instant classic first game against Duke in the new ACC, all the “length” that graced the court, and, of course, Boeheim waxing about the good ol’ days of the old Big East.
We’ll miss you, Jim, patrolling the sidelines with your bespectacled curmudgeon face, flailing arms, and lots and lots of wit. Thanks for the memories.
~ Jason Stahl
SETTING THE TABLE: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business By Danny Meyer
Ecco (2008), $20
This is an oldie and a classic, and worth revisiting. When it comes to hospitality, nobody delivers it better than Danny Meyer. The restaurateur who founded such iconic eateries as Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, as well as Shake Shack, wants every customer to have the best possible dining experience – and that all starts with training his staff. Empowering and respecting them, too. It’s that simple, (for any business by the way) but a mentality oddly not all owners embrace, resulting in them often shutting their doors before the check comes, so to speak. Yes, restaurants that don’t thoughtfully train their staff, don’t stay open long.
Just listen to Danny, folks. He’s the master who wants all you students to become eventual teachers, and pass the wisdom on.
~ Jason Stahl
