Open Book 13Open Book 13

The author of this week's book might have made his mark in serious journalism at publications such as Time and The New Yorker, but dedicated foodies undoubtedly consider his trilogy, published between 1974 and 1983, to be his best work. Or at least his tastiest. (Fortunately, it has been recently republished as a collection.)

That's probably because these food essays are a reflection of his self-description, "Adventures Of A Happy Eater," and a celebration of regional food. They're not a snotty examination of five-star restaurants. His adventures and enthusiasms are particularly appreciated by those of us who have spent excess time on the road.

"When I began traveling around the country in the line of duty some years ago, [my wife] understood that if I didn't devote a certain amount of my time to searching out something decent to eat, I would find myself having dinner in those motel restaurants that all buy ingredients from the same Styrofoam outlet or in that universal Chamber of Commerce favorite that I began referring to as La Maison de la Casa House, Continental Cuisine. That's not a fate to wish on a husband simply because he may have an irritating habit or two-insignificant ones, really-like a tendency to eat from the serving bowl late in the meal."

We'll pick on the third book in the series, in which the author attempts to compile a short history of the Buffalo chicken wing, daydreams about an Italian West Indies ("Alice gets cold in the winter; I yearn for fettuccine all year round"), and attends the fourth annual St. Johns River Catfish Festival in Crescent City, Fla.

To win a nonedible, nonperishable information goody, E-mail [email protected] by 3 p.m. ET Thursday with the title, author, and answer to the following question: The author is decidedly unimpressed with turkey as the national Thanksgiving dish. What does he propose instead?

Another clue: The author also extols the skill of Professor James D. McCawley, professor of Linguistics at the University of Chicago, who can read the signs on the wall of Chinese restaurants.

"According to McCawley, officials of the extension program thought that Menu Chinese was not a course title appropriate to an institution with the august academic reputation of the University of Chicago, and were not impressed when he, attempting to take their concerns into consideration, offered as an alternative title Aristotle, Freud and the Chinese Menu."

Two respondents will be chosen randomly from correct answers and awarded a prize.

The Nov. 5 quiz answers are: Living Faith by Jimmy Carter. Third question: Carter mediated a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

The winners are Mike Reed and Phillip Sprague.