About the Book
Back cover text: 'Mike Buchanan is the best kind of opinionated, middle-aged, middle-class Englishman abroad: the funny kind.' Andy Heslop 'If you have a sense of humour, this book will put a big smile on your face. I laughed out loud many times. A refreshing absence of political correctness.' The lovely Maureen Padley Political correctness is a curse of the modern era. This book is not politically correct. And it celebrates la belle France: the beautiful ladies, the fine food and wine, the glorious scenery and weather, and more besides. If you're offended by the book's contents, kindly moan about it to someone else, not the author. He's had more than his fill of being moaned at over the years. Mike Buchanan is a 50-year-old overweight diabetic short-sighted businessman and published author, who lives in Bedford. He's been a Francophile for as long as he can remember, and is rarely happier than when holidaying in France. In August 2007, following the breakdown of his second marriage, he took a holiday in France with his chauffeur, the (equally) politically-incorrect Thunderin' Paul Carrington.
The two men enjoyed themselves so much that they took a second holiday in France in July 2008. This book relates the story of both holidays, in chapters with the following titles: 1 Our first week with Anne and Mark Phillips 2 Why my dinner cost 40 times more than Paul's 3 Hobnobbing with Ivana Trump in Monte Carlo 4 'Would you like to have sex with my wife?' 5 We witness a miracle in Lourdes 6 In defence of pate de foie gras 7 Paul worries about becoming a gay icon 8 Nuits-St-Georges is twinned with Hitchin 9 'It's always better if you have a big one!' Epilogue Apx 1 Packing list for France Apx 2 Keith Floyd's BA uf a la Bourguignonne Apx 3 Raymond Blanc's Coq au Vin Apx 4 Mike Buchanan's Coq au Vin Apx 5 The Fat Duck: Tasting Menu and Wine Apx 6 Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons: Notre Menu Decouverte
Table of Contents:
1 Our first week with Anne and Mark Phillips 2 Why my dinner cost 40 times more than Paul's 3 Hobnobbing with Ivana Trump in Monte Carlo 4 'Would you like to have sex with my wife?' 5 We witness a miracle in Lourdes 6 In defence of pate de foie gras 7 Paul worries about becoming a gay icon 8 Nuits-St-Georges is twinned with Hitchin 9 'It's always better if you have a big one!' Epilogue Apx 1 Packing list for France Apx 2 Keith Floyd's BA uf a la Bourguignonne Apx 3 Raymond Blanc's Coq au Vin Apx 4 Mike Buchanan's Coq au Vin Apx 5 The Fat Duck: Tasting Menu and Wine Apx 6 Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons: Notre Menu Decouverte
About the Author :
Mike Buchanan is a 52-year old British author who has written six books since 2008. The first was published and distributed internationally by Kogan Page, the later books were published and distributed internationally by his own company, LPS publishing (lpspublishing.co.uk). The books are, in reverse chronological order: 'The Joy of Self-Publishing' 'Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents and everyone is writing a book.' Cicero 106-43 BC Roman orator and statesman A 'how to' guide to self-publishing, including a 40-page appendix of quotations about books, reading, writing etc. The book was launched worldwide for a one-off payment of just GBP45.00. The author shares his extensive knowledge about writing and profitable self-publishing. 'Buchanan's Dictionary of Quotations for Right-Minded People' A dictionary of quotations - both serious and amusing - with right-of-centre perspectives. The book's cover and preliminary pages are the only differences compared with the American edition, the imaginatively-titled 'Buchanan's Dictionary of Quotations for right-minded Americans.' 'The Marriage Delusion: the fraud of the rings?' A critique of marriage which argues that most people in the developed world in the modern era are unsuited to the institution. Launched in a hardback edition, a paperback edition has since been made available under the title 'The Fraud of the Rings'. The book contains material from over 30 other books and has attracted highly positive reviews from book buyers as well as testimonials from two leading authors / psychologists: 'A highly original and stimulating critique of the modern marriage crisis, supported by important yet sometimes uncomfortable truths.' Oliver James, clinical psychologist, broadcaster, author of 'Affluenza', 'Britain on the Couch', 'They F*** You Up', 'How NOT to F*** Them Up' 'Mike Buchanan's analysis of marriage in western industrialised society is courageous and thoughtful. His perspectives on the challenges associated with marriage, and solutions to them, draw on important scientific evidence and arguments from some of our leading psychologists and wisest philosophers. This is a 'must-read' for all concerned with modern marriage.' Alan Carr, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College, Dublin, author of 'The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology', 'Family Therapy' and 'Positive Psychology' 'Two Men in a Car (A businessman, a chauffeur, and their holidays in France)' The tale of two long holidays in France in 2007 and 2008 enjoyed by the politically incorrect author (the 'businessman') and his equally politically incorrect friend Paul Carrington (the 'chauffeur'). Paul's life story is related in 'Guitar Gods in Beds.' 'Guitar Gods in Beds. (Bedfordshire: a heavenly county)' The colourful lives of eight guitarists living in or near the throbbing metropolis of Bedford, England, the author's adopted home town, as related by themselves. 'Profitable Buying Strategies: how to cut procurement costs and buy your way to higher profits' The book was written during a sabbatical taken by the author after 25 years working at a senior level in the procurement of goods and services for major organisations, with responsibility for annual budgets up to GBP100 million.
Review :
Peter Mayle, author of the bestseller 'A Year in Provence': A splendid romp. Vive la France! Reviews from buyers on www.amazon.co.uk 5.0 out of 5 stars Seriously funny and fabulous France 7 May 2010 By Karon Grieve This is definitely a holiday read of the first order. If you are stuck at home it will make you wish for sunshine and holidays, if you are reading it on holiday you won't get off your deck chair. Two men; different views, different outlooks, but together they create the funniest mix. This is a tour of the French countryside with a difference. It's real, it's funny, and so politically incorrect you won't stop laughing. Add to that lots of local colour and tempting details on food and wine, it will have you booking a flight or a ferry to la belle France right away. 5.0 stars out of 5 Brilliantly funny 23 Jan 2010 By Mrs. Rosemary Kind Kind of RosieA" I read this book in 3 days - I could not put it down. It was just so funny. My husband kept wondering what I was laughing at as I read in bed so I had to keep reading excerpts from the book to him. It was a well written book, interesting for those people who enjoy food & fine wines and very amusing. Well worth buying. 5.0 stars out of 5 Happy holiday reading 25 Aug 2009 By jan wright The book is written with a sense of humour guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The good rapport and the differences of character between Paul and Mike underlies the entertaining reading. Mike gives the reader a sense of the 'real' France, as they tour the regions chosen for their holidays. There is a spin-off too, with a good deal of informative information on each of the areas visited. An honest account describing the many restaurants and good quality wines they tasted along the way. The book is a must for anyone who loves France and thinking of holidaying here. Certainly a book to be packed in the case. 5.0 stars out of 5 Two Men in a Car - Priceless! 10 Aug 2009 By Mr H ribble valley roverA" (Lancashire) Thanks Mr Buchanan! A cracking read. What could be better than lying back in a sunlounger by the pool, in the beautiful Dordogne valley, and having fellow holidaymakers look at you with puzzlement every two minutes or so because you are laughing out loud? They were so jealous! That is what Two Men in a Car does to you. But beware - alongside the quirky stories and lovely descriptions of the belles of France (of which there are many), Mike Buchanan gives an insight into the history of the fabulous country and takes you to places off the beaten track as well as the more 'touristy' bits. My wife and I particularly liked The French Helpfulness Index to which we referred many times during our own Tour de France this summer - very witty but true. It was so refreshing to be part of a boys' road trip across a wonderful country. Bryson-esque! 5.0 stars out of 5 A gem of a book 25 June 2009 By Rosanne Lyden-Brown Mike Buchanan's little gem of a book is a definite 'can't put it downer!' I read it during a recent spell of incarceration in hospital and it made me laugh my surgical socks off. An epicure and man of discernment if ever there was one, Buchanan's tale of his holiday in France, accompanied by his driver and fellow traveller Paul (whose preferred fodder would appear to be steak and chips and a cup of strong English breakfast tea - in the absence of a good British corner caff cheese sandwich!) is a witty, amusing, and highly informative account of how two quite different people can, in their own quite different ways, enjoy La Belle France. Those of us who love our Gallic neighbours and their splendid country (and even those who do not!) will find something in this book that will make them smile, laugh and long to be back there again. 5.0 stars out of 5 Two Men in a Car - it's a Classic - or should that be a Vintage!!! 12 May 2009 By Leo - the Black Labrador's lead holder! AlanA" (Lancaster) What a joy to read, especially given that I can say - we were there, and have pointed out to everyone who has visited in the last week that our dog is the unwitting star of the book (for us, at least) - Leo, the Black Labrador, it may only be on one page, but that's good enough for us! Beyond that, what an easy read - full of fun, and I can imagine Mike (and Paul) sat by the pool recalling their many adventures, its just like they were here - but without the guitars. Thanks Mike for adding a further reminder to a memorable holiday, can't wait for the next instalment. 5.0 stars out of 5 Cracking read 21 April 2009 By G.R. Morris MolepoleA" (Kent) A wonderful meander through the backwaters of France. Two more unlikely companions you could not imagine. One a Francophile connoisseur of food & wine who likes to indulge in both, the other an egg, chips and cup of tea man! The only thing they seem to have in common is being non PC (& thank god or whatever deity you are into for that!) A very amusing book, enough to make me want to get Guitar Gods in Beds. Hope there will be some more travelogues from Mr Buchanan soon. What about Italy? Plenty of good food & wine there and probably some very attractive senoritas as well! 5.0 stars out of 5 Two Men in a Car (and bar) 26 Mar 2009 By Mr. Christopher David CelticmanA" (Wales) A great read especially, but not exclusively, for those of you that like to travel in France. Its confirmation that I have not joined the realms of the PC as I find the anecdotes are marvellously honest and funny. I, like the author, am in my third age (yes that's the one after you've been sensible for years and are now reverting back to the first age of your life) and could identify with the romps of our two 'men'. It's educational as well. Thoroughly recommended. 5.0 stars out of 5 Two Men in a Car 4 Mar 2009 By C.Rees Chris ReesA" My partner and I have laughed constantly throughout this book. I didn't think that a book about two men travelling through France could be so funny. It's the way the author has written it - his style and sense of humour is second to none and I will never, ever forget the comment made by the chauffeur about Brie tasting similar to Dairylea. An absolute classic. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a good laugh whilst relaxing. It really lifts your spirits. Reviews from buyers on www.amazon.com 5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant holiday for the reader January 25, 2010 By Laurie A. Helgoe Mike Buchanan's road memoir allowed me a chance to get away and explore France without the packing and expense. Traveling with Buchanan and his friend/chauffeur Paul Carrington made my trip especially entertaining. The author describes himself as 'highly unfit and averse to physical effort' and as a lover of food, wine and France; Carrington enjoys a variety of sports but is indifferent to food and wine. They do have in common their single status and accumulation of ex-wives - five between the two. The author cleverly uses charts to contrast the attributes of the two travelers and their packing lists, and includes a French Helpfulness Index. Buchanan's penchant for detail helps bring the reader along, not just through the beautiful landscapes, but also into the frustrating, funny, and interesting situations that make up travel. If you need to get away and have a laugh, pick up Two Men in a Car.
