About the Author

Pico Iyer is the author of five previous books, including Video Night in Kathmandu and The Lady and the Monk. He lives in suburban Japan.

Reviews

"Powerful and essential reading for anyone trying to understand the modern world."-Minneapolis Star Tribune

Iyer, who appropriately describes himself as "a global village on two legs," takes readers on a fascinating series of journeys aimed at discovering whether one's concept of "home" is still valid in an increasingly global, borderless world. In his previous work (e.g., Video Night in Kathmandu), Iyer explored similar themes; here, traveling to Los Angeles Airport, Hong Kong, Toronto, Atlanta, England, and Japan, he addresses everything from how Libya's Gaddafi defines the concept of the "global village" to the meaning of "Canadian exceptionalism." To be sure, this is not ordinary travel reportage: Iyer delves pointedly into cultural and social criticism and political and philosophical analyses with a refreshing sense of curiosity and very little cultural stereotyping. Throughout, he relies not only on his extensive travel experiences but also on his background. Born to Indian parents in England, he was raised in California and now spends much of his time in Japan. Naturally, all that variety may account for his heightened appreciation of the nuances in human cultural interaction. Highly recommended for all collections.--Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

"Powerful and essential reading for anyone trying to understand the modern world."-Minneapolis Star Tribune