Whether you're a world traveler or never left the U.S., after a few pages of Defeated by Lunch you'll feel like you've toured the romantic French chateaux and tasted the "Art in a Glass" that is the best-loved French wine. For the past twenty years the author, Bob Perkins has been traveling across the pond, and he shares with the reader his most memorable adventures. This book is so much more than a primer for the finer points of wine tasting and appreciation (though you'll be thirsting for a full-bodied Bordeaux by chapter 2). Everywhere Bob goes, he engages the French people. He has made lifelong friends with the locals, from waiters to the owners of grand chateau. As Bob says, "The people make the difference between a good place and a fabulous experience." Bob takes us on a solemn walk along the D-Day beaches and tours the memorial at Caen, reminding us of the price of freedom paid by our courageous soldiers. And the food! Mon Dieu! The multiple-course meals, paired with the perfect wine, of course, come with their own Food Rules which the traveler will want to learn. (Helpful hint: Let your server be your guide as to the plateau du fromage...) So sit back, pour a glass, and enjoy the trip.