Determined to discover what makes a pint of Guinness so legendary, McHugh travels Ireland to find that each pub says the best pint can be found . . . somewhere else. In this comedic and sentimental journey, the author meets many unforgettable characters along the way. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

An Australian, McHugh has his first pint of Guinness on the ferry from Wales to Ireland and is mighty unimpressed. But after he reaches the Emerald Isle, his opinion of Guinness changes and, along with Twidkiwodm ("the-woman-I-didn't-know-I-would-one-day-marry"), he circumnavigates the island in search of the best pint. McHugh certainly isn't the first backpacker to traverse Ireland's customary tourist spots Yeats country, the Burren, the pubs of Dublin, the Giants' Causeway, Dingle Bay with beer on the brain. But it is the unplanned events that make the travel special. While he inserts his share of Irish lore and legend into his travelogue, his descriptions of being in a rowboat with a German bagpiper or his recounting of leading a rag-tag bunch of Italians, Germans and Australians up the sacred mount Croagh Patrick are what brings his book to life. It also helps that McHugh, who continually professes his admiration for Irish writers, has a bit of the gift of gab himself. His prose flows like a friendly barstool chat and his frequent cheeky one-liners play the foil to his nostalgic nature. (Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

McHugh, an Australian travel writer, embarks on a quest for what some believe is the Emerald Isle's finest product, a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. McHugh and his travel partner seek out local pubs they hope will be devoid of tourists and staffed with a wizened bar keep who can serve a pint with a patient and steady hand. Carrying little more than a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a Frisbee, McHugh travels from the depths of urban Dublin to the wide-open remoteness of rural western Ireland. Between pub visits, he tours some of Ireland's grandest sites (the Ring of Kerry) and regions (County Sligo, where William Butler Yeats lived). At the heart of this adventure, however, are the pubs, including Hartigan's and Gaffney's, both in Dublin, the Laurels in Killarney, and Fury's in Sligo. There are colorful locals, unpleasant tourists, quaint hostels, and a myriad of Irish pubs and restaurants along the way, all of which provide a nice snapshot of life in contemporary Ireland. However, you'll need a real travel guide for specific locations, hours, etc. Recommended for large travel collections. Joel Jones, Kansas City P.L., MO Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information