From geeks in short pants to multiplatinum artists, Barenaked Ladies are nothing less than a phenomenon. Now, for the first time in the United States, we can read their astonishing story.
Steven, Ed, Jim, Tyler, and Kevin have two Grammy nominations under their belts, they've appeared on The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live, and their music is featured in commercials. They've even preempted the Olympics and rocked the vote on The West Wing. Their quirky, bizarre lyrics and unforgettable live performances have secured a rabidly loyal fan base across North...

From landing in Havana, hoofing it all the way down to Trinidad and back in a rented Mexican built Nissan (with special insurance on the tyres in case they get stolen by raft builders), the author vividly describes his hellish time in the Caribbean's biggest island nation during Fidel Castro's 'Special Period'. Compared to Bill Bryson, this is a travel tale of three weeks in the Sunshine Socialist State where extortion, confrontation, dolphins, kidnapping, appalling food and a chance meeting with 'The Leader' became a story worth telling. And all the author really wanted at the time was a...