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Summary: Bourdain's the "Indiana Jones" of the culinary world.
Review: Having read "Kitchen Confidential", it is evident that Bourdain has a unique approach to being a chef. In "A Cook's Tour", he travels the world in search of the "perfect meal", or to be exact, his perfect meal. He is quick to recognize that the concept of a perfect meal is very subjective, and is different for each personHe travels through Europe and Asia, searching out some of the most unusual and incredible dishes, and he has a camera crew along for the ride. Even if this was not to become a Food Network series, it would still be a great book. Bourdain considers this whole thing to be his way of selling out, which he points out early on, with some humility. Anyone who has read "Kitchen Confidential" would know that Bourdain hates celebrity chefs, Bobby Flay and Emeril being the cheif offenders in his books. For him to do something like this is, in his own worlds, selling himself out. Is it a healthy disrespect for success, or daftness? Perhaps both. But it is a fascinating journey, and exposes different and unusual culinary practices that are interesting, and sometimes hard to stomach. As someone who aspires to be a chef, this book has presented a neat learning curve to me. The importance of embracing new techniques, and different cuisine of different cultures, is half the battle for being a good chef. The idea for this book was excellent, and it is something that most people would want to do given the oppertunity. Though not all aspects of this book are pleasant. Bourdain visits some places that most of us would rather not. In Asia, he visits a dirty, stagnat swamp hotel just so he can try the fire-roasted duck. He talks about episodes of food poisoning, bacteria, and animal slaughtering. Not all pleasant, but it only adds to the book's intrigue. Even if you are not a foodie, this is a great read. Bourdain has a fresh and hip writing style that never meanders and keeps the reader hooked. Though I enjoyed "Kitchen Confidential" more, I think "A Cooks Tour" is a excellent book in it's own right.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Companion piece to the show
Review: Its a bit like reading the script for the show. I like the way Anthony Bourdain writes. Is it just me but doesn't all that smoking affect your tastebuds? The only thing that I didn't like was that pretty much everything is "fantastic". Everything can't be the greatest thing in the world. But he's funny and this is the first book I've paid full price for since my school days! I give this book three stars because when I was reading the chapters about his time in Vietnam, I am convinced that he kept misspelling some of the words! Horror! Horror! (not to mention the pig slaughter)
Rating: 
Summary: NOT KC2 AND TOO MUCH POLITICS!
Review: While "A Cook's Tour" includes descriptions of interesting places, people and some bizarre meals, it simply doesn't hold up to the raw impact of "Kitchen Confidential." I enjoyed Anthony's passionate writing about his experiences in Vietnam, but I didn't like his extremely liberal slant on the Vietnamese maimed and injured during the war. Anthony, we lost 50,000 young men trying to provide freedom for the Vietnamese people and the leaders of the old VC that you so enjoyed eating with were responsible for the murders of thousands of their own people after the war was over....
Rating: 
Summary: Even vegetarians could like this book
Review: I must admit that I really like Bourdain. I'm a strict vegetarian, and he really knocks them in this book. But, simply put, he is a passionate writer. While I might not have liked to eat most of the things he describes, he describes them so well that I feel like I didn't miss out on anything--in the same way that I like war stories but have no desire to actually be in the fray. However, he is compassionate and honest. He witnesses a pig slaughter and describes it as an unpleasent experience, but he believes that since they use every part of it, and make it taste so good, that it makes sense. He sticks to his guns as far as his sense of what is good. If something tastes good or bad--he lets you know and why: especially vegetarians who overcook their vegetables, which could be the worst sin of all.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!!
Review: This guy is funny, outrageous and politically incorrect. Even if you're not a "foodie," his take on life is hilarious. Sometimes mixing pathos though with bittersweet reminisces of searching for his father and encountering a scarred man in Vietnam. I would give it SIX stars if I could. It will taste good a leave you hungering for more....
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining travel/food or food/travel book
Review: A Cook's Tour centers on a search for a "perfect meal" This perfect meal stuff is a little dopey... after all, nothing is perfect... but it is fun to think about. Meals range from primitive to haute cuisine in locations around the world. The best bits are about Vietnam and Mexico. Bourdain has softened since his preceding book, Kitchen Confidential. He is kinder to TV chefs (a good idea considering he is one now), and seems to feel less need to shock the reader. His crankiness has nearly decreased to the level of Bill Bryson, which is,in general, an improvement.
Rating:
Summary: Calf Cheeks and Iguana Kabobs
Review: Although not as engaging as "Kitchen Confidential" "A Cook's Tour" is a fun jaunt around the gourmet globe. Traveling near (San Francisco) and Far (Cambodia) Bourdain chrinicles his tasting of local food and sipping of local drink. If you are a "foodie" or restaurant junkie, you may be put off by this book as it will not tell you the best restuarants to visit or the best chefs to look up. This book is all about the FOOD. And, although I would not eat half the things Mr. Bourdain put in his mouth, reading about it something I savor.
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Summary: The Glory of Vietnamese Food
Review: Many readers complained of the Vietnam trip being added throughout the book. Having just finished the book, it's clear that the eats in Vietnam, and the people, stood out for him. There's really something special about his writing of Japan too. This book is a riot and I am pleased that he doesn't "dumb down" his biting humor for the reader. Questions to him would be, 1/ Why no pictures? 2/ Why not India? Lastly, very refreshing to hear a chef give the respect to the Hispanic folks that have been cooking beautifully for years.
Rating:
Summary: Chef Tony is Sliding!
Review: "A Cook's Tour" isn't as well written and engaging as "Kitchen Confidential" so don't pick that up thinking that it would be a repeat of the first act. Although it is still the same chef Tony, his celebrity has made him lose focus in his writing and some parts A Cook's Tour show sloppy editing (for example, his agent didn't pick up the wrong spelling of Calista "Flockheart", and some Asian food ingredients were wrongly named, etc.) Although he is constantly pointing out that he has sold out big time in this book, he doesn't need to spell it out for us because the writing quality shows. The chapters are not connected at all and jump around thoughts, countries, themes. If he had spent more time polishing the idea of the book, this would have been a very successful work like the first, but obviously people will print anything that he writes now and you can tell that not as much thought went into this one. It is a real pity because he has been paid to go to some truly amazing places and undergo experiences that none of us can on a whim. The most unforgivable parts are the one or two places where he slips into cliched but truly meant sentiments (as in when he says it is understandable that the peasants revolted in Russia when they saw Catherine the Great's palace - yeah, like he understands!)...there is no need to rub the point in in such a maudlin way. Stick to being funny and cynical, Chef Tony! I am only being harsh reviewer to encourage (a) Bourdain to write a better next book and (b) agents/editors to do the job they are paid to do!
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Summary: bourdain's gonna die 1 day from severe food poisoning!
Review: anthony bourdain is a daredevil of a chef and this book proves it. like he said on his food network tv show A COOK'S TOUR, "i'll try anything, i'll risk everything!" he eats food in countries enough to make him very very very ill! cobra's heart? ugh! his trip to cambodia on tv was grotesque when he ate quail's head soup and the poor bird's head was at the bottom of the bowl. later we see him in bed groaning in pain under all that heat and humidity and mosquitoes. for the book version this is a wonderful read as well as his classic KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL. bourdain is the iggy pop of chefs! can't wait to eat steak frite at his place, les halles, in manhattan. i hope there would be a dvd of his tv show.
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