'A thumbs-up . The entries range from a single paragraph to two pages and riff on anything food-based, from a home recipe (John Irving's meatball recipe) to plant taxonomy (a banana is not a fruit but is the largest herb) to Marie Antoinette's last meal (only a little bouillon) . In essence an epicurean's miscellany, Life is Meals is made for random dipping, but I recommend reading it in one fell swoop' San Francisco Chronicle 'Divine . it has now kept me up two nights reading until the wee hours and smacking my lips. It's a beauty, with charming illustrations . I appreciate the wit, the occasional recipes and the historical ambiance of this Salter effort toward fine living. What a great Christmas gift!' New York Post 'James Salter is one of the great bon vivants of our time; his novels and stories are full of the details of fine living. This book of days pays homage to great writers, great meals, great conversations and essential ingredients .

The book is a safe haven, a bastion of civilization, protection from all kinds of heavy weather' Los Angeles Times Book Review.