And as he eats his way to the country's culinary heart, he unearths the fascinating story of his own family's role in Italian history. A joy from cover to cover and 100 per cent mierda di bufala-free, Al Dente is a must for anyone with an interest in Italy or its food.  Meer

Written by Scottish novelist William Black (1841–98), this biography of the Irish-born poet, dramatist and novelist Oliver Goldsmith (c.1728–74) was published in 1878 as the sixth book in the first series of English Men of Letters.  Meer

There is more than a slight malaise in the air these days about French food and cooking. Taking as his starting point the great tradition of French food, William tackles years of received wisdom and parochial food snobbery head on, though with his mind (and his mouth) firmly open.  Meer

In the spirit of Al Dente, The Land That Thyme Forgot will describe the intrepid gastronome's search for the heart and soul of Britain through the food we eat.  Meer