The French Chef in America - Julia Child's Second Act - Audio Book review

Oh Boy... A Book to read!

And what a Book... But first, recently I was asked by the good folks at Blogging for Books to review this book.  The book was free, but the opinions are all mine...

And another note... Those same good folks  at Blogging for Books offered to send me an Audible CD Version of the book.  I am trying to increase my cardio so i have started a daily walking workout (10K steps a day).  I LOVED the audio book, made the miles and steps and hours fly by!  SO even though I may talk about the book, really i am talking about the audio version... unabridged of course.

And my opinion... I LOVED THIS BOOK.

The French Chef in America: Julia Child's Second Act is such a fun read (listen).  If you are a fan of food, recipes or cooking shows, you have a special place in your heart for the legendary Julia Child.  A few years ago, Julia's legend was popularized with half of a Bio Pic, Julie and Julia.  That picture, along with Julia Child's own Biography,  My Life in France; has given us plenty of stories of Julia's early years.  This is indeed, the second chapter of her story.  the story of her years after she was published.

I especially enjoyed the emphasis om her husband, Paul Child.  Her sounding board, souz chef, photographer, dish washer and encourager that made her life possible.

The book picks up with Julia's early appearances on TV.  Continues through the early success, her break with her original collaborators, her numerous reinventions to stay relevant, as well as several behind the scenes stories of her down time.  Who wouldn't want that life!

But of course, with great fun stories, there are the wrinkles as well.  Most heart breaking is the loss of her beloved husband following his slow journey to the oblivion of dementia.  The way she balances her professional image with that private hell is the makings of an expanded story... But I digress.

Here's what the publisher has to say... "Julia Child is synonymous with French cooking, but her legacy runs much deeper. Now, her great-nephew and My Life in France coauthor vividly recounts the myriad ways in which she profoundly shaped how we eat today. He shows us Child in the aftermath of the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, suddenly finding herself America's first lady of French food and under considerable pressure to embrace her new mantle. We see her dealing with difficult colleagues and the challenges of fame, ultimately using her newfound celebrity to create what would become a totally new type of food television. Every bit as entertaining, inspiring, and delectable as My Life in France, The French Chef in America uncovers Julia Child beyond her French chef persona and reveals her second act to have been as groundbreaking and adventurous as her first.".

Love the stories and could not recommend the book more.

Here's links for The Audio version, the Hardcover version and the rest of Julia's pop culture bios...

             

Here's the legal stuff... "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review." But the review and opinions are 100% accurate and mine!".  Love this book and highly recommend it!

I am so thrilled to add this book to my library.  A terrific inspiration.

As a gift or a new reference book for yourself, this is a keeper.