Why people recommend it
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life is a captivating memoir by William Finnegan that chronicles his lifelong obsession with surfing, travel, and journalism across the globe. On The Book Review podcast in 2024, Pamela Paul shared that she had finally finished reading the memoir and also mentioned it as a book she was currently reading. Gilbert Cruz reminded listeners of the book's title at the conclusion of an interview segment with the author, whom he introduced as a New Yorker staff writer. Jennifer Szalai discussed reading the surfing memoir as part of a diverse selection featured on a dedicated list, while Greg Kohes announced the book's debut at number five on the bestseller list, noting the author's background in war reporting and international coverage for the New Yorker. The participants frequently highlighted the depth of the writing and the unique perspective the author brought to chronicling his global surfing adventures and professional life.
Who recommended it
- Jennifer Szalai Discussed
- Pamela Paul Recommended
- Gilbert Cruz Recommended
- Greg Kohes Discussed
Jennifer Szalai — 2 mentions
“well so I've got two books here one of which I had talked about a bit last week which is called New World by William finegan”
“and we have the surfing Memoir Barbarian Days by William fennan”
Pamela Paul — 2 mentions
“well I'm I'm going to talk about three books I'm going to talk about the one that I finished the one that I'm really reading and then a little book that I'm also kind of reading so I finished finally Barbarian Days by William finnean”
“I am reading Barbarian days a surfing Life by William finegan”
Gilbert Cruz — 2 mentions
“he is a staff writer at the New Yorker and the author of a new book Barbarian days of surfing Life reviewed this week in the book review”
“the book again is Barbarian days a surfing Life”
Greg Kohes — 1 mention
“there's a surfing Memoir um by a guy better known for his War reporting in international coverage for the New Yorker William finnean [skip] his book Barbarian days makes its debut at number five”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- A Brief History of Seven Killings
- A Childhood
- A Christmas Carol
- A Drinkable Feast
- A Grief Observed
- A Spool of Blue Thread
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“that's when we spoke to William finegan the New Yorker staff writer about his Memoir Barbarian days which details his life traveling through many parts of the world chasing his surfing Obsession”