Anthony Bourdain's Final Book, "World Travel," Announced

Anthony Bourdain may be remembered best for his beloved TV shows like Parts Unknown and No Reservations, but it’s a book, Kitchen Confidential, that kicked off his career as the culinary and travel guide of the people.

Now, a year and a half after his passing, his final book has been announced: World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, written by Bourdain and his longtime assistant Laurie Woolever, will be published October 13, 2020 by Ecco, and is available to preorder now.

“In World Travel, a life of experience is collected into an entertaining, practical, fun and frank travel guide that gives readers an introduction to some of his favorite places — in his own words,” writes the publisher. “Featuring essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay and, in some cases, what to avoid, World Travel provides essential context that will help readers further appreciate the reasons why Bourdain found a place enchanting and memorable.”

In other words, this is looking to be pure, undistilled Bourdain, offering his singular personal takes on places you’ll end up adding to your travel bucket list. But how far along was he in writing it?

According to People, Woolever and Bourdain were working on the book together with the intent of publishing it before he died at the age of 61 in June 2018. This isn’t the first title they partnered on, either; the 2016 cookbook Appetites is also co-written by his assistant. But according to the publisher, the guide will also contain “a handful of essays by friends, colleagues, and family,” including Bourdain’s brother Chris as well as musician and record producer Steve Albini.

The cover, revealed this week, features an illustration of Bourdain outside a cafe by cartoonist Tony Millionaire, and other illustrations will be peppered throughout the tome.

“This book will allow Tony’s fans and followers to continue to travel in his footsteps,” said Woolever in a press release.

It might also be just the closure those fans and followers have been looking for.

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