A Sense of Place: Great Travel
Writers Talk About Their Craft, Lives,
and Inspiration (Travelers Tales) by
Michael Shapiro
A Stimulating, Inspirational, Provocative Book
Great writers inspire readers to head out in search of foreign sunsets, but
in this instance, they inspired travel writer Michael Shapiro to head out for
the great writers themselves. A Sense of Place is one writers journey to
visit all the heroes who have motivated him — to pack a pen and
toothbrush, to find out where they live, why they chose the place, and how
it influences their writing. In each scene, readers, writers, and travelers
are given a glimpse of the locale and surroundings of the writer: Simon
Winchesters Massachusetts, Redmond OHanlons London, Jan Morriss
Wales, or Frances Mayess Tuscany. But then its left up to the writers
themselves to situate the reader and describe their lives, their craft, and

their remarkable world, which they do with living room intimacy. The result
is engaging, illuminating, and transporting for writers and travelers alike.
Personal Review: A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk
About Their Craft, Lives, and Inspiration (Travelers Tales) by
Michael Shapiro
Michael Shapiro's conceptualization for the format of "A Sense of Place"
was a stroke of genius. I found the book in the travel section of a
bookstore. However, I feel-strongly, that "A Sense of Place" also belongs
under the "Literature" and "Writing" headings.
"Rich" is the word which consistently entered my mind as I read the
interviews with each of the 18 writers whom Shapiro included in this book.
His questions were pertinent, knowledgeable, and provocative. The
authors responded in kind. I am convinced that he has created a jewel of a
reference book in a literary and philosophical sense. The feed-back he
elicited transcends mundane travel writing per se--far and away.
The moment I started reading "A Sense of Place", I sensed that Shapiro
had a special touch which immediately put his subjects at ease. I believe
this gift greatly facilitated his ability to surmount the disjointedness of the
standard Q&A format. He further enhanced the fluidity of the interview
process through his consummate familiarity with the work of each writer.
Shapiro's choice of authors was judicious. These people are not guidebook
writers. They are world-class thinkers, explorers of the esoteric, articulators
of original thought. I recommend this book-unequivocally.
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