Virtuoso Life - November/December 2007 - (Page 28) LUXE REPORT Present thoughts The Sled Book: Notes Concerning Winter’s Favorite Pastime By Brice J. Hoskin (Skipstone, $12.95) This little book would make a fine holiday present for anyone who has known the thrill of flying face-first down a slippery slope. Hoskin, who lives in Silverton, Colorado, guides us through sledding’s history and its variations, from the toboggan to the luge. If you’ve never had the pleasure (or need a quick stand-in for a surprise snowstorm), he offers several ways to get a feel for the sport; for instance, hop on a plastic cafeteria tray, or maybe a garbage can lid. If all else fails, just try the seat of your snow pants; they “slide incredibly well.” Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips By the National Geographic staff (National Geographic Books, $40) It’s impossible to thumb through this colorful travelogue and not get the urge to get out of town. The staff of the famed magazine take us to some of the most unusual places they’ve ever been: the Kerala backwaters of India, the forts of Oman, the Fitzroy Massif of Argentina, and the barrier reef off Belize. Handy planning tips (when to go, how long to stay, etc.) accompany tales of each journey, making this a practical, indispensable addition to any globe-trotter’s library. The Shell: A World of Decoration & Ornament By Ingrid Thomas (Thames & Hudson, $65) Ingrid Thomas knows seashells like no one else – and she gives us 507 luscious color illustrations over 256 pages to prove it. Throughout history, she says, shells have been seen as not only practical but also inspirational. They were currency in many countries, became symbols of fertility and good fortune in others, and have long captivated the imagination of artists worldwide. Thomas explores all aspects of the shell but always returns to the same conclusion: They are small objects of great beauty. No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach By Anthony Bourdain (Bloomsbury USA, $34.95) The host of the Travel Channel’s popular No Reservations lends his dry wit to a photo-heavy account of his travels in this follow-up to his best-selling Nasty Bits. The bad-boy chef takes us to dinner in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America, with biting commentary on each locale. You’ll discover that he has no taste for Iceland but is especially fascinated by the Far East, where he revels in the joys of fatty crab in Rangoon and discovers that almost everyone considers the head of a fish the best part to eat. – Charles ealy 28 V I RT U O S O L I F E (BOOKS) IRIDIO SEATTLE
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