Not to suffer the lures and pangs of passion or to be moved by its fervor and attraction, is not to have lived fully; without passion, life would be lacking something poignant.
- Paul Kurtz Affirmations: Joyful and Creative Exuberance
Friday, March 27, 2009
Not to suffer the lures and pangs of passion
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
I listen to a lot of books on tape, in addition to reading paper versions. Most of them are about philosophy, atheism, secularism, science and history but every once and a while I like a good biography and Kitchen Confidential is fantastic.
I’m not what I would call a “foodie”. I know who Gordon Ramsay and Padma are, the difference between a leek and an onion and what a sous-chef is but that is the extent of my culinary repartee. I thought most of this book would be lost on me but after listening to it, some chapters more than once, I think Anthony and I would have quite a good time together, should we ever meet.
I had no idea he had such a colorful past, read into this he was a very bad boy and isn’t shy about discussing it. He had a slew of horrid jobs with failing restaurants, some of which he helped to tank, battling alcohol and drugs and banging lots of women along the way.
Anthony has led a very colorful and sometimes dangerous, life that he shares in great detail with amazing wit.
The audio book is read by the author and he does a wonderful job (unlike Stephen King who should never be allowed to read his own books out loud, or any book for that matter!) I found myself even forgoing my hour nap on the train ride to LA every morning so that I could listen to it, it’s just that good.
I will NEVER EVER eat eggs Benedict at a restaurant again, or order fish on a Monday, or a lot of other things. This book was a real joy to listen to and made me laugh a lot. If you’re looking for something to listen to between the Portable Atheist and your favorite secular podcast I highly recommend this book.
Anthony Bourdain’s Personal Website
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