Acquired Tastes, originally published as Expensive Habits, is a celebration of life’s extravagances. It explores an aspect of human nature that, although dormant in hard economic times, is capable of erupting with the hint of good fortune and the drop of a credit card. It samples the luxuries of Havana cigars, Parisian hotels, bespoke London tailoring, and hand-made shoes; discusses the proper color for a stretch limousine; and weighs the cost versus the pleasure of keeping a mistress. The proper way to eat true caviar is explained while providing the listener with hours of pure, unadulterated escapism.
Peter Mayle is the author of eleven previous books, five of them fiction. He has received the Légion d'Honneur from the French government for his cultural contributions. Mayle has been living in Provence with his wife, Jennie, for twenty years.
Robin Sachs 's career as an actor in film, television, and stage spanned two continents, having moved to the United States from his native England in 1991. His credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, Dynasty, Rob Roy, and Chessgame on television and Galaxy Quest, Northfork, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Megalodon, and Ocean’s Eleven in film. He also worked extensively in voice-over, animation, and on the London stage. He passed away in February 2013.