The writer and broadcaster Steve Burgess discusses his new memoir Reservations: The Pleasures and Perils of Travel (Douglas & McIntyre, 2024), with Joseph Planta.

Reservations: The Pleasures and Perils of Travel by Steve Burgess (Douglas & McIntyre, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Reservations

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

I figured a new Steve Burgess book would be funny, full of the wry observations we’ve come to know him for throughout his many years as a feature writer and columnist. The book, Reservations: The Pleasures and Perils of Travel, is not just a funny book, but it’s also informative. He takes a serious look at the real cost of our holidaying, especially when a lot of us go someplace because it’s cheap, but it can be exploitative to those who live in the places where we go. Not to mention justifying using all that fuel whether by land, air, and sea, when we’re in the midst of a climate crisis. The book is also personal and introspective. We see through Mr. Burgess’s travels how much he learns about himself, especially when he finds himself elsewhere with somebody else. Steve takes us to all the places that have meant a lot to him over the years, whether it’s the month he spent in Japan, or his visits to Rome. Steve Burgess is a writer and broadcaster, who among other honours has received two Canadian National Magazine Awards. We’ll take some time to reflect on his broadcasting career. It was on CBC Newsworld that I remember him first from, when he hosted a talk show there. He is a contributing editor at The Tyee, and is an award-winning director of documentaries. His previous book, Who Killed Mom? was published in 2011, the first time he appeared on this program. His work has been featured in sundry publications including Reader’s Digest, Maclean’s, and The Globe and Mail. This new book is from Douglas & McIntyre. We spoke twelve days ago, with Steve joining me from here in Vancouver. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Steve Burgess; Mr. Burgess, good morning.

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