Books

ALL THE WAY

AT THE TABLE: NOURISHING CONVERSATION AND FOOD

ROAMING THE BIG LAND: FLAVOURS OF CANADA

Penumbra Press, Manotick, Ontario

November, 2010

Roaming The Big is a celebration of Canada from coast to coast to coast. In this entertaining and thoughtful collection of stories inspired by journeys to every province and territory, T.A. Keenleyside wrestles with the enduring issue of Canada’s national identity, and in the process captures in a personal way the extraordinarily diverse and beguiling character of the country. These are touching, amusing and insightful tales that evoke Canada’s past and present cultures as well as its promising yet uncertain future. For added enjoyment, each chapter concludes with an original Canadian recipe.

From panning for gold in the Yukon to floating on an iceberg in Nunavut, from “Portage Pasta” canoe-tripping in Ontario to “Jiggs’ Dinner” in an isolated outport in Newfoundland, Roaming the Big Land exposes the reader to distant corners and distinct cuisines of Canada, and whets the appetite to know the country better.

English Canada winner of the 2011 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the category of culinary travel

$21.95 (shipping free in Canada on orders of two or more copies)

Order at: www.penumbrapress.com/book.php?id=312

Book retailers and libraries, please contact john@penumbrapress.ca 

MISSING THE BUS, MAKING THE CONNECTION:

TALES AND TASTES OF TRAVEL

Penumbra Press, Manotick, Ontario

December, 2008

Odysseus knew the value of taking the long way home, and you should, too. In Missing the Bus, Making the Connection, T.A. Keenleyside eschews the rose-coloured reminiscences of the tourist for the insights of the seasoned traveller, an elusive category of person in an age when cheap flights, all-inclusive vacations, and a Starbucks on every corner make it easy to leave home without really leaving at all.

Part travel memoir, part cookbook, Missing the Bus, Making the Connection is a collection of timeless stories full of humour and adventure that capture the elusive joy of travelling–of making special connections, the ultimate reward for those who sojourn abroad with open minds and adventurous spirits, placing themselves in situations where unexpected things may happen. The focus is on the mystique of travel, the appeal of off-beat, esoteric experiences that often lurk in the most unexpected places.

To ingest the food of another land is to taste its people and its culture. Not surprisingly, therefore, the pleasure of eating is an integral part of the stories in this collection, a condiment flavouring almost every piece. As well, many conclude with recipes. The emphasis is on dishes suitable for families that are relatively easy to prepare, usually healthy, and always tasty. Bon voyage et bon appetit!

ENGLIGH CANADIAN WINNER OF THE 2009 GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK  AWARDS IN THE CATEGORIES OF CULINARY TRAVEL AND FOOD LITERATURE

Now $21.95 Canadian ($40.00 and no shipping charges in Canada if purchased with Roaming the Big Land) www.penumbrapress.com

Book retailers and libraries, please contact john@penumbrapress.ca

THE COMMON TOUCH:

A NOVEL OF DIPLOMACY AND CONFLICT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Doubleday, Toronto and New York, 1977

The Ugly Canadian? Is there such a thing?

Set in a fictitious Southeast Asian country during the era of the Vietnam war, The Common Touch rekindles memories of The Ugly American as a middle-ranking Canadian diplomat grows disillusioned with his country’s foreign policy in an impoverished developing country called Bukara that is seething with dissatisfaction and is ripe for revolutionary change. To Jim Rutherford Canada seems focussed only on the prospects for promoting its own short-term interests, especially its exports and investment opportunities. Its diplomacy and foreign aid are directed to those ends and Rutherford is unable to convince his government to support the modest community development projects of a Bukarese aid worker he has come to know and respect and who is trying to meet the basic economic and social needs of the country’s people. Rutherford’s egotistical ambassador, on the other hand, shows little interest in addressing either Canada’s or Bukara’s concerns. Brimming with self-importance, he is focussed only on enhancing his own image and personal well-being.

Much to Canada’s concern, Bukara’s existing pro-Western regime is crumbling and the state is on the verge of major change. At the same time, Rutherford’s marriage is falling apart as his wife turns to an affair to find happiness in the face of her preoccupied husband’s obsession with Bukara’s future.

This is a novel full of excitement, tension, and political conflict. It remains as relevant today as when it was written, for it addresses issues still unresolved in the relations of Western countries with the developing world.

Finalist for the award for the best first novel by a Canadian in 1977

Now only $10 purchased from the author: terdotcomm@sympatico.ca, or use the box below to order a copy, providing your mailing address and indicating what message you would like inscribed in the book.