A.A. Gill is probably the most read columnist in Britain. Every weekend he entertains readers of the Sunday Times with his biting observations on television and his unsparing, deeply knowledgeable restaurant reviews. Even those who want to hate him agree: A. A. Gill is hopelessly, painfully funny. He is one of a tiny band of must-read journalists and it is always a disappointment when the words 'A. A. Gill is Away' appear at the foot of his column. This second book is a further collection of those absences; 22 travel pieces and essays on other subjects that belie his reputation as a mere style journalist and master of vitriol. This is writing of the highest quality and ambition.

'a sharp, talented wordsmith, as as much as he might rile, he will also have you snorting with laughter.' -- Mary Fitzgerald THE NEW STATESMAN 'His pieces reflect the sheer wonder of travel, but they also reflect the discomfort and sense of dislocation that go along with it.' -- Jim Blackburn WANDERLUST 'What sets Gill apart from the upper middle-class politicially incorrect pontificators is that he's interested in people (even if he doesn't always like them) and writes in a clear, economical, puissant style.' -- Robin Lee THE LIST 'underlying all the hype, the wit the glittering rococco brilliance of his style, there is also the most solid and underrated of journalistic virtues - the power to convey a scene in words so that readers feel they are present.' -- Lynn Barber THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Gill is one of the handful (of journalists) whose pieces are worth collecting.' -- Kate Saunders THE SUNDAY TIMES 'his reporting, within the space of a few sentences, can be honest, romantic, awestruck, damning, hilarious but, importantly, never sentimental or patronising.' -- Martin Hemming TIME OUT 'this is an anthology of stories from an extraordinary life, told with wit and sensitivity.' TRAVELLER

AA Gill was born in Edinburgh. He is the author of two novels, Sap Rising (1997) and Starcrossed (1999), books on two of London's most famous restaurants, The Ivy and Le Caprice, and a travel book, A.A. Gill is Away. He is the TV and restaurant critic for the Sunday Times and is a contributing editor to GQ magazine. He lives in London and spends much of his year travelling.