George M. Taber is the author of Judgment of Paris, the 2006 wine book of the year for Britain's Decanter magazine.
His second book, To Cork or Not to Cork, won the Jane Grigson Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for best book on wine and spirits and the Andre Simon Award for best wine book. Before turning to writing wine books, Taber was a reporter and editor for Time.
Interviews
Interview with George M Taber
Posted by Simon & Schuster on October 6, 2009
Quick Start
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
GT: learn, work, travel, write-then do it again
SS: What is your motto or maxim?
GT: The art of writing is in rewriting.
What Readers want to know...
SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?
GT: Happiness is knowing you've done your best--no more, no less.
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
GT: Dying with a half-finished book.
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
GT: In Nepal hiking to the base station at Mount Everest.
SS: With whom in history do you most identify?
GT: Jean Monnet. He is the father of the European Community, who made the historic breakthrough of bringing the French and Germans together after two world wars.
SS: Which living person do you most admire?
GT: Bill Gates
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
GT: Never complain, never explain.
SS: What do you regret most?
GT: Never finished Proust.
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
GT: Learn to play Bach on a harpsichord.
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
GT: Interviewing the Beatles.
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
GT: Impatience
SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
GT: St. Peter at the Pearly Gate
SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?
GT: I ask too many questions.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
GT: Don Quixote
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
GT: Dr. Strangelove
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
GT: To meet God on the day after creation and ask her, "Why?"
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
GT: People who are not helpful, polite, or succinct.
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
GT: Watching the ocean's waves roll in.
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
GT: Sky diving
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
GT: Being helpful, polite, and succinct
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
GT: Pizza with pepperoni
SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?
GT: Hard Day's Night, Bach's Goldberg Variations (Glenn Gould), Hello Dolly (Louis Armstrong), Vivaldi's Spring, Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
Questions About Books and Writing
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
GT: Child's Christmas in Wales
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
GT: Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
GT: I enjoy the way you tell a story.
General Questions
SS: What is your birthdate?
GT: 5/25
SS: What were your previous occupations?
GT: From Waiter to Journalist
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
GT: Being a waiter in Germany
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
GT: Loyola High School (Los Angeles), Georgetown University
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
GT: Bach
SS: What is your favorite movie?
GT: Hard Day's Night (saw it 12 times)
SS: What is your favorite television show?
GT: Professional Football
Get more on George M Taber at SimonandSchuster.com
