CNN

I cried. This was such a beautiful book and a wonderful rememberance to a great man and chef. The book consists of how Anthony Bourdain affected people's lives. Ordinary people such as ourselves, chefs, journalists, musicians,etc. Wonderful photography. I loved Tony since the beginning and watched all his shows and read 98% of his books. I was lucky enough to see him live with Eric Ripert a few years ago. Before my father passed away, him and I used to watch the show all the time. So of show more course reading about the memories people had of him, teared me up. I got to travel the world with him from the comfort of my home and learned about new food. He showed me Pho and I loved it since the first time I tried it. I've learned so much about different goverments, politics and wordly cultures more than I could from a history book or class. A must recommend read for any fan. show less

Before Charlie Kirk, there was Anthony Bourdain. I am not invested in neither Kirk nor Bourdain but CNN produced a nice photo album of Bourdain. I am reviewing the book more than the person. The book has no actual text except for social media posts after the passing of Bourdain from suicide in 2018. He was 61 at the time of his death. That's always a tragedy and for a time people took to posting what Bourdain personally helped them learn. Bourdain actually wrote quite a number of books, none show more of which I have read. He also did several films and a TV series "Parts Unknown" which many people seemed to have enjoyed for his being at ease with cultures and cuisines. He seems to have had a whole film crew with him wherever he went documenting his morsel intake. In a way that's a very romantic way to look at eating and respecting food that is prepared for humans to eat in a civilized way. Shockingly, many of the photos in the book are of Bourdain alone as part of the scenery or in reflection during a meal or afterwards. The book gives the impression that Bourdain is modern French Philosopher about Life by means of Food. In my old age and from my religion I have come to appreciate meals as something that can be silent, as monks often partake. Or, meals can be festive and therefore accompanied by speeches or shared opinions. Meals can also be vehicles for universal thanksgiving in general to friends, family, country, love, or hope for the future. This is a great book not for the texts, but for the pictures which show Bourdain not using food and drink for props but for saying they are essential for all people day or night (almost all the photos are in daylight), and best shared with words attempting to bridge the gap the must be crossed for human interaction. Texts from President Obama, singer Iggy Pop, and Director Ken Burns. Bourdain got one person who was vegetarian to eat a pork dish, says one contributor. That's good. Jesus never ate pork but then again once St Peter was visited by the Holy Spirit it was allowed to tear into a good Carnitas plate with green sauce and flour tortillas. Interesting book. show less

I purchased this book while attending a conference in New Orleans and touring the sites most impacted by the disaster. This is a well-written and thoroughly documented publication. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a balanced look at how the local, state and federal government ineptly handled this terrible event. Sadly, we are quicker to send aid to foreign countries than to help our own.

This is a beautiful look at the impact chef and travel editor Anthony Bourdain had on both the famous and the common person in the world. His death by suicide was truly a tragedy, but I do like to think that somewhere, somehow, he is aware of his legacy and knows that he did so much good for this world by helping to make us all aware that we have more in common than things that divide us. This is the second book I have read from CNN. Both are of high quality and simply a joy to read.