Say you're invited to a wedding where the groom is from Indonesia or the bride is Romanian, and you'd like to toast them in their native languages. A new book, "Cheers! Around the World in 80 Toasts," will tell you that "Bersulang!" or "Noroc!" are what you need to say as you raise your glass. This global lexicon, written with a light touch, is a scholarly treatise on toasts in scores of languages and takes a deep dive into linguistics, history and traditions. The author, a writer and teacher, is proficient in five languages. He has organized the book by region, with the countries in each listed in alphabetical order for easy reference. You'll discover what to say, what libation should fill the glass and how it all came about. Read it with a clear head; there's much to learn.
-- Florence Fabricant * New York Times Food *
Cook debuts with an entertaining guide on how to give a toast in nearly 80 languages. . . . It's worth raising a glass to the enthusiasm and good nature of this fun project.
* Publishers Weekly *
A new book explores drinking traditions across cultures and languages, and how rituals of celebration have evolved around the world, through a spirited study of 80 ways to raise your glass.
-- Sucheta Chakraborty * Mumbai Mid-Day *
Even if you have not set foot outside of your own home for over a year, this brick of a book can take you on a whirlwind worldwide tour in the comfort of that home with the potential for an additionally comforting beverage in your non-page-turning hand! . . . We all have so much to celebrate. Let's share our joys with the world.
-- Matt Robinson * Matt's Meals *
A fascinating little book that sheds light on how different cultures raise a glass, and who, what and how they toast while doing so.
* Decanter *
The collection of wry historical insights about raising a glass in 100 countries and almost that many languages is served up with keen observations on humanity and linguistics.
-- Babs Rodriguez * 360West *