Press
Flight of the Diamond Smugglers
“[A] page-turning tale of suspense…. With novelistic writing, Frank masterfully weaves a fast-paced history of South Africa's Diamond Coast, and the impact of De Beers controlling both the land and the government. His thorough reporting on mineworkers, their pigeons, and towns that have struggled in the wake of mine closures makes for compelling reading…. [A] fascinating story of grief and history that will draw readers in from the first page. Must-read narrative nonfiction.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
The
Mad Feast
Entertainment
Weekly
“Never has a country-spanning food romp felt this subversive. Frank’s essays…are nothing short of brilliant.... [A]s an exploration of humanity, life, and tastes, the book is delicious.” A-
Wall Street Journal
"[P]otent stuff…evocative…a bravado performance…deeply touching…a very good book…vibrates with
passion"
Chicago Tribune
"Frank turns food writing—and travel writing for that matter—on its head with his entertaining
examination of American regional cuisine. From bratwursts to bagels, he details how various foods
reflect their states' history and geography…[a] quirky, irreverent tour through the 50 states."
The Paris
Review
[A] raucous gastro-crawl through regional American cuisine.
Saveur
[T]he ultimate guide to the weirdest undercurrents of hyper-regional American eating…far more
exciting than the typical regional American cookbook or historical tract…. [T]he most remarkable thing
about this book that parcels America out into 50 state-based dishes: It reveals the underlying currents
that define our endlessly bizarre cuisine.
Accolades
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A Year in Reading: 2015 selection, The Millions
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Best Books for the End of 2015, Ploughshares
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Favorite Nonfiction of 2015, Largehearted Boy
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A Year of Favorites, 2015, Vol. 1 Brooklyn
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The Best Cookbooks We Read in 2015, Paste Magazine
-
Staff Pick, The Paris Review
-
The Art of Eating Prize longlist
NYT
Book Review
“Slyly charming…stunning writing and perversely wonderful research…alluring.”
Preparing The
Ghost
Wall Street Journal
“Irresistible…charming…Frank's high-wattage prose never dims.”
NPR
“An act of love and erudition."
The New
Yorker
“Strange, innovative...a[n] exploration of the human tendency to fall into obsession.”
Vanity
Fair
“Marvelous.”
—Elissa Schappell
Accolades
-
Editors’ Choice, The New York Times
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Books to Watch Out For, The New Yorker
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Best Books of 2014, Shelf Awareness
Notable Book, NPR -
Hot Type, Vanity Fair
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10 Must-Read Books for July, Flavorwire
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4 Books We’re Most Excited About, Book Riot
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Favorite Nonfiction of 2014, Largehearted Boy
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Required Reading of 2014, Biographile
New York
Festival of Books
“Compelling…like a hipster Studs Terkel."
Pot
Farm
Booklist
“Engaging…a highly entertaining tale."
Los Angeles Review of Books
“Lyrical…funny…stunning and affecting.”
Library
Journal
“[Readers] will relish [Frank’s] dark humor.”
Kirkus
Review
“Alternatively manic and moving.”
Accolades
-
Grand Prize Winner, New York
-
Festival of Books, 2012
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New and Noteworthy Books, Poets & Writers Magazine, Page One Selection
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Recommended Reading, Flavorwire
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Best Books of the Month, Dame Magazine
Wine
Spectator
“A misfit in America, an unhappy cook in a series of second-rate restaurants, Frank seizes a chance to
escape into a better world…plunging headfirst into a world of mysterious, overwhelming sensations.”
Barolo
Gastronomica
“This is pleasure…. A master of the unexpected metaphor, Frank commands prose that is lively and original.”
Booklist
“Besides conveying the sensuality of the place, Frank offers insight into the region’s history.”
San Jose
Mercury News
“A poor man’s Year in Provence.”
Belinda
Chang
“Truly capture[s] the essence of this enticing region of Italy…. This book transported me.”
—Belinda Chang, James Beard Foundation Award-winning wine director