Randy Wayne White returns Nov. 16 Florida mystery author Randy Wayne White will be back on the Island Nov. 16 to meet fans and autograph his new travelogue, "American Traveler." White is also the author of the popular Doc Ford series of books, set in Southwest Florida. "His tales of adventure and misadventure in America and foreign lands are richly entertaining, thought provoking and frequently hilarious Ñ all the more so when he is telling them himself in his typically laconic, self-effacing style," according to book critic Paul Bergen. This newest book comprises more than a dozen essays by the former fishing guide and best-selling novelist. It is an eclectic mix of pieces with a singular, driving theme: A so-called "safe" sedentary life is as predacious as slow cancer. White demonstrates by example that the fun, the drama, the craziness of exploration Ñ internal and external Ñ is a singularly important part of the human experience. He dives with great white sharks in South Africa, but his love and concern for his two sons, who are traveling with him, generates powerful and subtle undertones that carry throughout the book, and make this far more than a collection of travel-adventure narratives. He hangs out in Australia with the Crocodile Hunter, writes about the late Peter Blake and the New Zealand sailing team, jogs the Mayan ruins of Guatemala, and battles insects in his backyard garden. He's the lead sledder for an entry in the U.S. toboggan championships, he explores Vietnam (and gets lost jogging in Hanoi) Ñ and just as powerfully explores what it's like to reach middle age. White, a resident of Pine Island, Fla., will be at Ooh La La! Bistro, 5406 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 16, for a luncheon and brief talk. Tickets are $50, which includes lunch and a first-edition copy of "American Traveler." The event is a cooperative effort between Ooh La La!, Circle Books on St. Armands Circle, and The Islander. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach. Reservations are a must and may be made by calling 778-7978. White's last luncheon visit to Ooh La La! was a quick sell out, so reservations should be made soon. AN AMERICAN TRAVELER comprises more than a dozen essays by former fishing guide and best-selling novelist Randy Wayne White. White, creator of the "Doc Ford" eco-thriller series, has produced an eclectic mix of pieces with a singular, driving theme: A so-called "safe" sedentary life is as predacious as slow cancer. In this book, White demonstrates by example that the fun, the drama, the craziness of exploration -- internal and external -- is a singularly important part of the human experience. White dives with great white sharks in South Africa, but his love and concern for his two sons, who are traveling with him, generates powerful and subtle undertones that carry throughout the book, and makes this far more than a collection of travel-adventure narratives. White hangs out in Australia with the Crocodile Hunter, he writes about the late Peter Blake and the New Zealand sailing team, he jogs the Mayan ruins of Guatemala, and he battles insects in his backyard garden. He's the lead sledder for an entry in the US toboggan championships, he explores Vietnam (and gets lost jogging in Hanoi) -- and just as powerfully explores what it's like to reach middle age. Randy Wayne White, a former fishing guide whose "Out There" column ran for many years in Outside magazine, currently writes a monthly column for Men's Health magazine. Among the many books he's written are The Sharks of Lake Nicaragua, Batfishing in the Rainforest, Last Flight Out, and the "Doc Ford" mystery series. His novel Sanibel Flats was chosen as one of the 100 Best Mysteries of the 20th Century by the International Independent Booksellers Association. White is the winner of the Conch Republic Prize for Literature and the John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction. He also served on the Florida Judicial Nominating Commission for four years, and currently serves on the Florida Bar Association Grievance Committee. He lives on Pine Island, on Florida's southwest coast. Laura Holland Assistant Publicist Globe Pequot Press / Falcon Publishing / Lyons Press email: laura.holland@GlobePequot.com phone: 203-458-4539 www.GlobePequot.com