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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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

‘The Worst Guidebook Writer Ever’?

Lonely Planet author Robert Reid reviews Thomas Kohnstamm’s “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?” and weighs in on the controversy surrounding it

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

5.11.07

Mark Ellingham: Rough Guides and the Ethics of Travel

The celebrated guidebook publisher marks its 25th anniversary this month. Michael Yessis asks its founder about the early years, “binge flying” and the ethics of travel in the modern age.

2.23.07

Stephanie Elizondo Griest: ‘100 Places Every Woman Should Go’

The writer wants to inspire women to set out on their own sola adventures. Jim Benning asks her about the best and worst destinations for women travelers—and the use of “male repellent.”

2.6.07

Alex Kapranos: ‘Sound Bites’ and Savory Food

Franz Ferdinand’s singer has eaten mole in Mexico, mussels in Brussels and fishbrain bread in Finland. He talks to Frank Bures about his new book and his culinary adventures on the road.

1.9.07

Paulina Porizkova: A Model Traveler

Supermodel Paulina Porizkova has written a novel and contributed a story to “Travelers’ Tales Prague and the Czech Republic.” David Farley sits down with the model-turned-author to talk travel and the writing life.

11.30.06

Pico Iyer: On Travel and Travel Writing

Two decades after boarding a plane for the trip that would yield “Video Night in Kathmandu,” Pico Iyer talks to Matthew Davis about fact and fiction, books he wishes he hadn’t written and his humble beginnings as a travel writer.

9.27.06

Michael Hess: The ‘On the Road’ Google Maps Mashup

Almost fifty years after the publication of Jack Kerouac’s definitive road novel, Michael Yessis talks to the man bringing Sal Paradise into the Internet age

8.23.06

Matt Gross: Reflections From a ‘Round-the-World Journey

The New York Times told him to make the full circle in 90 days—as a budget traveler. Upon his return, Michael Yessis spoke to him about “interactive travel” and why he’s in no hurry to get back to Croatia.

6.8.06

Jason Wilson: One Traveler, Three Dishes Named ‘Jason’

Never mind his travel-writing accomplishments. Jason Wilson has a breakfast sandwich, a pizza and a dessert named after him in three countries. Go ahead: Be stunned. Jim Benning gets the inside scoop on this rarest of travel feats.

3.5.06

David Farley and Jessie Sholl: A Passion for Prague

They met seven years ago in Prague. Now, they’ve edited a new Travelers’ Tales Prague collection. Jim Benning asks the pair about the city’s unique appeal. 

2.9.06

Bernard-Henri Lévy: Suffering From “American Vertigo”

Terry Ward asks France’s rock star philosopher, BHL, about his journey in Tocqueville’s footsteps and the value of traveling par hasard

12.31.05

Jeffrey Tayler: Facing Africa’s “Angry Wind”

Jim Benning asks The Atlantic’s Moscow correspondent about travel writing, his latest book and the allure of the world’s most remote regions

12.15.05

Catherine Watson: “Roads Less Traveled”

Michael Yessis talks with the pioneering editor and writer about serendipity, travel as education and why travelers should talk to everyone they can, especially the quiet people

11.21.05

Billy Collins: The Poetry of Travel

The former U.S. poet laureate brought the world in-flight poetry. Frank Bures asks him about travel, writing and the Delta Airlines flight on which poetry trumped Keanu Reeves.

11.4.05

Jennifer Leo: Travels Down the Written Road

Jim Benning asks the editor of a new story collection about blogging, women’s misadventures and the challenges of a career in travel writing

10.24.05

Christopher Wakling: “Beneath the Diamond Sky”

A new travel novel tells the story of Western travelers taken hostage in Kashmir. Frank Bures asks the author about risky travel, and about how his own journey inspired the tale.

10.4.05

Larry Portzline: Inside “Bookstore Tourism”

Busloads of book lovers are going on literary safari to independent bookstores. Michael Yessis talks to the man behind the growing movement. 

7.14.05

Joel Henry: Dean of “Experimental Travel”

A new book from Lonely Planet preaches the gospel of unconventional travel. What’s it all about? Frank Bures asks its author.

6.21.05

Andrew Steves: Travels in Dad’s Footsteps

For young Americans, the first solo trip to Europe is a rite of passage. But what’s in store if your father is the king of Europe guidebook writers? Jim Benning finds out.

3.22.05

Don George: The Art of Travel Writing

Jim Benning asks the author of Lonely Planet’s new guide to travel writing about the pleasures and challenges of the work, and the legacy of Salon.com’s Wanderlust

9.1.04

Michael Shapiro: A Sense of Place

Jim Benning asks the travel writer about his new book and his encounters with the world’s best travel writers

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