Go Wild

Lately, the world is full of slows.

Slow food. Slow living. Slow design.

They’re all considered retreats from the pixel quickness of the online world and towards the type of pace that allows you to, say, enjoy traveling and read a book.

And here’s that book: Wildsam, a series of elegant American travel guides, available now.

Wildsam

Started by veteran travel writer Taylor Bruce, who wanted to craft a “social archaeology” of his favorite cities, Wildsam is a Steinbeck-ian field guide to America’s most interesting cities.

This is not Fodor’s territory.

Each pocket-sized WS edition is beautifully crafted and painstakingly curated, featuring interviews with famous locals, personal essays by area writers, hand-drawn maps and a little historical hearsay.

And – overall – some dynamic writing.

On Nashville’s plague of cicadas: “The intensity hit Led Zeppelin levels at night, and dogs feasted during the days …”

It is, literally, the best of place and storytelling rolled into one.

Already available: Nashville.

And starting today, a guide to Austin, featuring best swimming holes, must-hit taco trucks, an exploration of the armadillo and a look back at Dazed and Confused.

All great stuff. But why a book?

“Print slows you down,” says Bruce.

“And if there’s anything I recommend for people going to a place, it’s to slow down.”