Well, it has been a while since I reviewed a book here at Orient Lodge. With all the different emails, blog posts and social media messages to read, I rarely find or make time for reading books, though I do find time to read plenty of pitches for books that some publicist really thinks I should review here.

Most of the pitches get filed away in my PR folder without a response, however every once in a while a pitch comes along that sounds interesting. Often they are for books about technology or social media that are written by friends of mine. It isn’t very often that I review books about guys in New Jersey who run BBQ shacks and engage in diplomacy with the North Koreans.

Some of that is because there just aren’t many books out there like that. In fact, as best as I can tell, Eating with the Enemy is one of a kind. It has been an enjoyable read by the side of the pool during my few free moments. Not only is the story well written and compelling, but there are some important words of wisdom hidden in the text, particularly for those interested in social media.

Bobby Egan, who runs a BBQ shack in Hackensack NJ, talks about growing up in a mob controlled neighborhood. When you wanted something, you didn’t just sit down with someone and get right to business. You spent time. You got to know the person you wanted to do business with. You chatted about how things were going, about their family, maybe about how the Giants or Nets were playing. If you developed a sense of trust with the person, you might get around to broaching the business issue eventually.

Bobby talks about the same thing in terms of dealing with the North Koreans. You don’t just sit down at the table and start talking about nuclear weapons. Instead, you have a steak. You go catch a Nets game. You try to explain American idioms. Slowly you develop a trusted relationship and can start talking about more serious issues.

Some of the social media experts out there might learn a lesson from Bobby. For that matter, so might a lot of the publicists pitching books that I don’t expect I’ll ever read.

With that, let me digress. Tony Viardo is the publicist that sent me the pitch for Eating with the Enemy. His pitch started off “My Name is Tony Viardo and I’m heading up public awareness for a new memoir entitled ‘Eating with the Enemy’ by Bobby Egan. I’d like to offer you a free copy for your review, in order to perhaps post your opinions about it on your site; I believe it would interest your unique audience.”

Okay, Tony probably got down to business much more quickly than Bobby would have, but there is a difference between emails from publicists and steaks in Hackensack. Yet Tony is clear about what he wants. He wants people talking about Bobby’s book. He tries to appeal to people that have a special feeling for their audience. Yeah, that’s me. I’ve got a unique audience. They’re a great group. There are mommy bloggers from the Philippines. There are political bloggers from around the United States and there are all kinds of bloggers searching to get their story out and/or perhaps make a little money on the side. It is a great bunch and I value the interaction I have with my audience.

So, I don’t want to steer my readers wrong. I’m not going to review some book that I’m not excited about and tell people it is good. Instead, I’m going to spend time reading the book and thinking about how much I enjoyed it and whether or not I think my readers will. I think a lot of my readers would really like this book. For that matter, as I’ve read parts of it by the pool, I’ve described sections to my wife and we’ve talked about other people that we think would enjoy the book.

So, if you’re looking for a good book, check out Eating with the Enemy. If you’re looking for a good publicist, spend a little time getting to know Tony to see if maybe he is a good fit for you, and if you’re looking for me to review a book or a product, spend a little time getting to know me and my audience and then let’s talk.