site.btaEric Weiner: "My Next Book Is about Wisdom. We Live in Age Awash in Information but with Precious Little Wisdom"

Eric Weiner: "My Next Book Is about Wisdom. We Live in Age Awash in Information but with Precious Little Wisdom"

Sofia, May 24 (Pepa Vitanova of BTA) - Eric Weiner is a popular journalist and author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God and The Geography of Genius. Weiner's books have been translated into more than 20 languages, including Bulgaria (Publishing House Faber). Weiner took the time to answer BTA's questions about travel, the purpose of travelling and his next book.


Q: How do you get ready for a new project? Does the trip follow the idea of the book or does the idea get born on the road?

A: The idea is (usually) born at home, then I take it on the road. I don't hit the road, as we say here, until I've done a lot of library research. That way, I know what to look for out there.

Q: You are a traveler in all meanings of the world: a traveler of spirit and in real reached destinations. Please, tells us how many countries have you visited, how many miles have you travelled and how many interesting people met on the road?

A: You're right, I am a traveler. I've been to many places, don't like to be a "country counter" (or a "mileage counter," for that matter.) For me, more important than being well traveled is traveling well. By that I mean it is more important that I truly experience a few places than experience many places in a shallow way.

Q: Tell us about the disappointments on the way. Didn't you get a call from the Moldovans concerning the way you described their country in the book "The Geography of Happiness"?

A: True. I am not very popular with some Moldovans. For a while, I received many angry emails from that country. Those people, though, didn't read my book very carefully, or perhaps not at all. I don't declare the Moldovans unhappy-the Moldovans themselves do, in a number of surveys. And I really did find many endearing aspects to life in Moldova. I actually left feeling quite affectionate about the country. I wish more Moldovans realized that.

Q: How many geniuses do you know?

A: Only one. My Bulgarian publisher, Neyko Genchev. The man is brilliant. A Bulgarian Einstein. Seriously, he has helped spread my work to a country far away, and I get to do interviews like this. Genius!

Q: With which great person from the past would you like to drink a glass of wine and what would you like to ask him?

A: I would like to sit down with Ernest Hemingway (though he might want to drink something stronger than wine.) I'd like to ask him how he kept such a disciplined writing life-500 words (good word) every day, no matter how depressed he was or how hung over. I admire him for that. I'd like to know how he did it.

Q: You have probably heard the theory that every man is the arithmetic mean of the five people he spends the most time with. These are the people who form our way of thinking - which define our achievements or failures in life. Who are your Five?

A: Actually, I have not heard of that theory. Thank you for teaching me something! To be honest, though, my thinking is influenced not by people, at least not directly. It is from books, and it's way more than five.

Q: And one more question about numbers. According to social anthropologists if we want an important community change to happen, 8 % of the community needs to stand behind it. When have you had the wonderful feeling of being a part of the 8%, that change the life of many for good?

A: I never thought of it that way - I focus more on the writing of my books than on the reception they receive - but, yes, it is gratifying to know that my work touches people and that, in small way, it makes the world a better place.

Q: In one of your books you share your thought: "Meaning and happiness are close to home, but sometimes you need to have a thousand kilometers behind your back to understand it. Do you love coming back home?

A: I do enjoy coming home. In a way, it is the best part of travel. When I come home from a long trip, I appreciate my domestic life in a much deeper way. But I need to travel. Without the travel, I tend to take home for granted.

Q: God. Happiness. Genius. What is the next thing you are going to dedicate a book to?

A: Wisdom. My next book is about wisdom. We live in age awash in information but with precious little wisdom. My book will show how, by reconnecting with the lost art of philosophy, we can regain that wisdom. Naturally, the book will also involve travel.