World Hum’s Most Read: May 10-16

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What We Loved This Week: ‘The Zen of Bobby V,’ ‘When the Levees Broke’ and Arriving With Our Baggage

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How Bad is the Violence in Mexico?

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Tony Horwitz Blogs From the Road

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Tony Horwitz: Rediscovering the New World

Ben Keene talks to the author of the new book “A Voyage Long and Strange” about travel, American myths and the importance of visiting places where “history happened”

In Patagonia, In Patagonia

Tim Patterson packs his fleece and long underwear, and enters the Twilight Zone where corporate branding meets the multilayered reality of place. 

Should I Quit Law School so I can Travel the World?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

Have a Hockey Night in Canada

From Montreal to Sault Ste. Marie, the sport is the country’s greatest passion. Eva Holland explains where to go to indulge—and who you need to know.

Promised Land Closed

And other odd and unlikely signs from around the world. Aficionado Doug Lansky, editor of the book “Signspotting,” recounts his 10 favorites.

10 Sizzling Hot Travel Tips From Sir Francis Bacon

Rolf Potts repackages the 17th century philosopher’s ‘Of Travel’ essay in the manner of a 21st century magazine feature

2.1.07

‘Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik’: Going Solo Through Africa

From south to north, Marie Javins journeyed alone across the continent. Frank Bures reviews her chronicle of the trip and finds the author a likable travel companion.

1.8.07

‘The Ice Cave’: Journeys Into the Wild

Lucy Jane Bledsoe experienced wilderness from the Mojave to the Antarctic. Emily Stone calls her resulting essay collection layered, literary and unflinchingly honest about the solitude of travel. 

12.21.06

‘La Bella Figura’: Into the Italian Psyche

In his latest book, Beppe Severgnini riffs on stadiums, cappuccinos and the Italian relationship to the stoplight. Lauren Grodstein finds the book a fun ride, but also like traveling in the company of a slaphappy tour-bus driver.

11.27.06

‘A Sense of the World’: Around the Globe With a Blind Man

Jason Roberts documents the life of James Holman, who became a prolific traveler in the 1800s after losing his sight. Liz Sinclair finds the man—and the book—compelling.

11.2.06

“The Odyssey”: The Sir Ian McKellen Audio Version

Match the world-class thespian with the iconic travel tale, and Frank Bures believes you get one of the best readings ever recorded.

9.12.06

“Getting Stoned With Savages”: The Adventures of Flip-Flop Man in Vanuatu and Fiji

In J. Maarten Troost’s new book, he again flees Washington D.C. for a life on the islands of the South Pacific. Kristin Van Tassel reviews his foray into the world of volcanoes, sharks, hookers and kava.

7.14.06

A Tale of Two Twains

Kristin Van Tassel considers two recent books about Mark Twain, arguably America’s greatest traveler—and travel writer

6.25.06

World Hum’s Top 30 Travel Books

We recently counted down the best travel books of all time. Here’s the entire list—and loads of picks from World Hum readers. 

5.30.06

A Spook’s Planet: “The World Factbook”

The CIA’s “The World Factbook” isn’t just a treasure trove of curiosities. Frank Bures writes that it just may be the mother of all guidebooks. 

2.20.06

Elizabeth Gilbert: ‘Eat, Pray, Love’

In “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia,” Elizabeth Gilbert turns to travel in an effort to find, well, everything. Frank Bures writes that her journey will leave you smiling in your liver. 

2.1.06

Adventures in New York City

Ian Frazier’s “Gone to New York: Adventures in the City” spans 30 years of travels in the city that never sleeps. Frank Bures writes that it captures the rhythm of the place—and its people. 

12.19.05

Notable Travel Books of 2005

World Hum reviewed a number of new travel books this year, but not all of them. Frank Bures highlights new titles worthy of a place on any traveler’s bookshelf.

11.7.05

Japan Unmasked

Karin Muller’s “Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa” chronicles the author’s time in the Land of the Rising Sun. Terry Ward writes that it offers insight into the famously closed culture—and a dose of humor.

9.21.05

Welcome to Bizarroland

Guy Delisle spent two months working in the strangest and most reclusive country in the world, North Korea. The result was his new graphic novel/travelogue, “Pyongyang,” which Frank Bures finds insightful, funny and, at times, touching.

8.14.05

Sex, Drugs and Fish Salad

Paul Theroux’s new novel, “Blinding Light,” features a travel-writing protagonist with a remarkable resemblance to the master himself. The result, writes Frank Bures, is unlike so many of his other literary efforts. It is, perhaps ironically, a good airplane book. 

6.29.05

Big Brother in Burma

Journalist Emma Larkin traveled around Burma to see where author George Orwell spent five years of his life. She discovered what just might be the most Orwellian country in the world. Frank Bures reviews Larkin’s new book on the topic, “Finding George Orwell in Burma.”

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