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Anthony Bourdain Remembered
A moving and insightful collection of quotes, memories, and images celebrating the life of Anthony Bourdain
When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, the outpouring of grief from his fans around the world was momentous. The tributes spoke to his legacy: That the world is much smaller than we imagine and people are more alike than they are different. As Bourdain had once said, “If I’m an advocate of anything, it’s to move…Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.”
Remembering Anthony Bourdain brings together memories and stories from fans reminiscing about Bourdain’s unique achievements and his enduring effect on their lives as well as comments from chefs, journalists, filmmakers, musicians, and writers inspired by Tony including Barack Obama, Daniel Boulud, Jill Filipovic, Ken Burns, Questlove, and José Andrés, among many others.
These remembrances give us a glimpse of Tony’s widespread impact through his political and social commitments; his dedication to travel and eating well (and widely); and his love of the written word, along with his deep compassion, open-mindedness, and interest in lives different from his own.
Remembering Anthony Bourdain captures Tony’s inimitable spirit and passion in the words of his closest friends and colleagues as well as some of his most devoted fans.
When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, the outpouring of grief from his fans around the world was momentous. The tributes spoke to his legacy: That the world is much smaller than we imagine and people are more alike than they are different. As Bourdain had once said, “If I’m an advocate of anything, it’s to move…Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.”
Remembering Anthony Bourdain brings together memories and stories from fans reminiscing about Bourdain’s unique achievements and his enduring effect on their lives as well as comments from chefs, journalists, filmmakers, musicians, and writers inspired by Tony including Barack Obama, Daniel Boulud, Jill Filipovic, Ken Burns, Questlove, and José Andrés, among many others.
These remembrances give us a glimpse of Tony’s widespread impact through his political and social commitments; his dedication to travel and eating well (and widely); and his love of the written word, along with his deep compassion, open-mindedness, and interest in lives different from his own.
Remembering Anthony Bourdain captures Tony’s inimitable spirit and passion in the words of his closest friends and colleagues as well as some of his most devoted fans.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2019
17 people are currently reading
1725 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
October 3, 2019
I miss Anthony Bourdain !
Ebook Review : April 27, 2019
Yes, that is right . I , do miss Anthony Bourdain .
I never met him personally or even saw him in RL from afar. Yet I knew him. He came into my house, my living room every week and showed me the world . People, culture , food and places that open my eyes and heart.
Anthony was a communicator , provocateur and humanist . His empathy and curious nature let him experience and see the world as few do ; and in those places he met and touch lot of people hearts.
And when he died , we all felt it . We lost a friend and through social media , people all over the world shared the impact he had in their lives. And we all saw, how far and wide the Anthony effect went .
This book is poignant and thoughtful collection of quotes, vignettes , memories and pictures commemorating and remembering the life of Anthony Bourdain.
I . Love . this. Book.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review.
June 8, 2019
Beautiful photos with quotes from friends and strangers alike, of how Bourdain touched their lives in many ways. The best were from line cooks, students, people in kitchens everywhere, expressing how Anthony inspired them to do more with their lives, careers, etc. Many to step out of their comfort zones to travel, or just meet new people and try new things.
CNN said they had set up social media site for people to leave messages to express their condolences and were blown away by the thousands of global responses they had. Thus, this delightful yet emotional book.
I understand privacy for his family but I don’t understand why he did it. Everything seemed great, everyone loved him, but we never really know what’s inside a person. RIP Anthony Bourdain.
If you were a fan, I recommend this book; a great tribute.
CNN said they had set up social media site for people to leave messages to express their condolences and were blown away by the thousands of global responses they had. Thus, this delightful yet emotional book.
I understand privacy for his family but I don’t understand why he did it. Everything seemed great, everyone loved him, but we never really know what’s inside a person. RIP Anthony Bourdain.
If you were a fan, I recommend this book; a great tribute.
April 15, 2024
There were so many candid photos & memorable quotes about Anthony Bourdain in this beautiful book.
“Anthony Bourdain taught me & my daughter to not be afraid of the unknown. Embrace all people and cultures and experiences. He taught us all the true meaning of ‘you will never know what you like until you try it.”
“Anthony showed us what it was like to be human… To share culture, tradition, love, and the joy of friends and family. He gave us all insight into forgotten places, shining his light in a darkening world. His light will be greatly missed.”
“Before we travel, we always say, “where would Tony go? Who would he break bread with?”
I love Anthony B. & I feel this book does a pretty good job celebrating his life & legacy. I would give this book 6 stars if I could. This photo book is a must have for any Anthony Bourdain fans.
“Anthony Bourdain taught me & my daughter to not be afraid of the unknown. Embrace all people and cultures and experiences. He taught us all the true meaning of ‘you will never know what you like until you try it.”
“Anthony showed us what it was like to be human… To share culture, tradition, love, and the joy of friends and family. He gave us all insight into forgotten places, shining his light in a darkening world. His light will be greatly missed.”
“Before we travel, we always say, “where would Tony go? Who would he break bread with?”
I love Anthony B. & I feel this book does a pretty good job celebrating his life & legacy. I would give this book 6 stars if I could. This photo book is a must have for any Anthony Bourdain fans.
May 5, 2019
Anthony Bourdain taught us to try new foods, to explore off the beaten path, and to get to know people on our travels. He inspired us to be better and more open minded people and showed us that people are around the world aren’t so different.
Anthony Bourdain Remembered is a wonderful collection of stories and quotes from those who knew him and those who didn’t but were still greatly impacted by him. Each story managed to capture how I felt as I watched No Reservations or Parts Unknown. This is an excellent tribute to someone who is missed so much by people around the world.
I received and eARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
Anthony Bourdain Remembered is a wonderful collection of stories and quotes from those who knew him and those who didn’t but were still greatly impacted by him. Each story managed to capture how I felt as I watched No Reservations or Parts Unknown. This is an excellent tribute to someone who is missed so much by people around the world.
I received and eARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
November 4, 2024
5 stars
Anthony Bourdain, chef, world traveler, journalist.
My first encounter with Bourdain gave me the impression that he was a loud mouth edgy American who thought his way was the only way and if you didn't like it, then, in his words "Get the fuck out!" However there was something about him that kept niggling at my mind. So I watched him again, and again, and then again. Then I read some of the books that he authored. And I found him to be like a strong spice - unpalatable at first, but milder with each tasting. Outspoken - yes. He gave us the meat and the juice, but never spared the fat, gristle or cartilage.
This book is great. It takes the many quotes of people who knew him, or wished they had known him, and lays them bare for all to read. Every one of the 208 pages has a colored picture - some a full spread - each with Bourdain center focus. He was a world traveler. This book has pictures from Africa to Asia, from Europe to the US, and even some from Antarctica. His many TV shows were based on his travels, his enjoyment of people and his connection to food. He championed both cuisine and people. Bourdain, who never met a stranger, never turned down a bite - regardless of what it was or where he was.
However, as I looked him in the face in many pictures, all I could ask was "Why?". Anthony Bourdain was set in life. He had just about everything a person could ask for. He loved food, he loved traveling, he loved his TV shows, he had friends all over the world and he had a spicy Italian girlfriend. So 'why'?
Anthony Bourdain committed suicide in France in 2018, days before his 62nd birthday. Testing showed he was clear of any drugs. Why? What was he thinking? He had the world in the palm of his hand. Such a sad loss. Why?
Anthony Bourdain, chef, world traveler, journalist.
My first encounter with Bourdain gave me the impression that he was a loud mouth edgy American who thought his way was the only way and if you didn't like it, then, in his words "Get the fuck out!" However there was something about him that kept niggling at my mind. So I watched him again, and again, and then again. Then I read some of the books that he authored. And I found him to be like a strong spice - unpalatable at first, but milder with each tasting. Outspoken - yes. He gave us the meat and the juice, but never spared the fat, gristle or cartilage.
This book is great. It takes the many quotes of people who knew him, or wished they had known him, and lays them bare for all to read. Every one of the 208 pages has a colored picture - some a full spread - each with Bourdain center focus. He was a world traveler. This book has pictures from Africa to Asia, from Europe to the US, and even some from Antarctica. His many TV shows were based on his travels, his enjoyment of people and his connection to food. He championed both cuisine and people. Bourdain, who never met a stranger, never turned down a bite - regardless of what it was or where he was.
However, as I looked him in the face in many pictures, all I could ask was "Why?". Anthony Bourdain was set in life. He had just about everything a person could ask for. He loved food, he loved traveling, he loved his TV shows, he had friends all over the world and he had a spicy Italian girlfriend. So 'why'?
Anthony Bourdain committed suicide in France in 2018, days before his 62nd birthday. Testing showed he was clear of any drugs. Why? What was he thinking? He had the world in the palm of his hand. Such a sad loss. Why?
January 1, 2021
After Anthony Bourdain tragically took his life in 2018, CNN set up a site where people from all over the world left comments to remember and commemorate him. As a chef, author, travel and food show host, and journalist, he touched the lives of many inspiring them to explore, meet, eat, and live. He listened and shared stories, food, and drinks. He showed us the importance to act more humanely and be more accepting no matter your beliefs or backgrounds. Whether a fan, a friend, budding or fellow chefs, the kitchen staff, journalists, former President Barack Obama, his best friend, or a stranger, their tributes have been published with warm and remembered photographs around the world of this “raw, flawed, and beautiful man.” He was witty, sarcastic, smart, respectful, opinionated, compassionate, and adventurous. He became a guide, a mentor, a friend, and a champion of human rights. “He motivated me to get up, get out, and travel to soak in new cultures.” Another wrote of his travel and food experience was “All inspired by your unassuming way of travel. Offend no one, appreciate the simplest things, and absorb it all.” “He was able to make us dream of a more humane, sensitive world where everyone was special and was treated with dignity and respect.” “A profoundly observant, empathetic, and curious human who made no apologies or excuses.” “Generally he inspired me to go beyond my normal dishes and show my love with cooking. Cook free or die.” Another wrote of him being inspired to “be ‘more like Bourdain’” in his work. The founder of Cook It Raw penned, “He was the Bruce Chatwin of food, a wizard of booze, a kitchen iconoclast, one of the most beautifully troubled motherf***ers there ever was. We loved him dearly for being courageously vulnerable and outspokenly bold...” Unfortunately, he took his life leaving behind his legacy and the memories. As he said and placed in the preface of the book, “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can. As much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shores or at least eat their food.” Anthony, I end this with a toast to you for your insights, your curiosity, and your life. May you continue to inspire and to mentor those for generations to come through your writings and television shows.
April 16, 2019
Many of us fans were shocked at his suicide and still cannot process it. Here we get quotes from famous and regular fans of his about what he meant to them and in essence to all of us. There is also some great photos of Tony on his travels making this a must read for fans.
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July 10, 2019OK - this will be a weird review...from a photography perspective - this is definitely a 5...
but I would say a 2...from a content perspective...
Over 200 pages of glowing litanies to Anthony Bourdain...not to say that they are not well deserved...but did we need to read >200 of them???
I really would have enjoyed more stories about his travels and experiences that he had filming all of these episodes...episodes gone wrong...out takes...funny incidents...more insight into what he was doing/feeling/saying while filming all of this stuff...did they have travel "glitches"...raw and uninviting accomodations...I wanted more of what Anthony was experiencing...and fewer accolades...>200 pages of accolades would have made Anthony Bourdain sick...as it did me..."Uncle"!!!
I'm so glad I got it from the library...rather than purchasing it...
but I would say a 2...from a content perspective...
Over 200 pages of glowing litanies to Anthony Bourdain...not to say that they are not well deserved...but did we need to read >200 of them???
I really would have enjoyed more stories about his travels and experiences that he had filming all of these episodes...episodes gone wrong...out takes...funny incidents...more insight into what he was doing/feeling/saying while filming all of this stuff...did they have travel "glitches"...raw and uninviting accomodations...I wanted more of what Anthony was experiencing...and fewer accolades...>200 pages of accolades would have made Anthony Bourdain sick...as it did me..."Uncle"!!!
I'm so glad I got it from the library...rather than purchasing it...
June 24, 2019
This is a tribute photo book of some of the best quotes and dedications that came in to the web page that CNN setup shortly after Anthony's death. Some of them witty, some sad but always dedicated to the man who combined food and journalism in such an amazing way. To me it seems that Bourdain was a troubled misfit individual that never really understood how much he was loved. RIP Tony, you are sorely missed.
My favorite quote from the whole book is this one:
"Tony's restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles." - Tom Colicchio, chef and author.
My favorite quote from the whole book is this one:
"Tony's restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles." - Tom Colicchio, chef and author.
June 27, 2019
Beautiful photographs & tributes to one of the coolest guys to ever live. He changed how I look at food, eating, & cooking. I will continue to revisit his books & shows for inspiration & I hope he is never forgotten.
August 17, 2019
Amazing, beautiful. This book is everything for fans and a wonderful introduction for others.
It is immensely quotable, relatable, and magical. Fans and friends share their experiences with Bourdain and how he has changed their lives. Food and travel are important parts of this book, but it's really all about humanity, empathy, understanding, and forming connections with no boundaries (physical or otherwise). My husband and I keep it readily accessible around the house, to continuously flip through. Opening this book takes you to many places in the world and within yourself. Highly recommended to everyone.
It is immensely quotable, relatable, and magical. Fans and friends share their experiences with Bourdain and how he has changed their lives. Food and travel are important parts of this book, but it's really all about humanity, empathy, understanding, and forming connections with no boundaries (physical or otherwise). My husband and I keep it readily accessible around the house, to continuously flip through. Opening this book takes you to many places in the world and within yourself. Highly recommended to everyone.
July 18, 2019
Quick impressions. Great photography. Some of the comments by people who knew and worked with him were good. The rest of the notes gathered from social media just get a bit much at times. Some are moving, but overall they get repetitive. As I said, the highlight of the book is really the photography.
And like so many others, I do miss the man who showed us so much.
I will have a full review in my blog later.
And like so many others, I do miss the man who showed us so much.
I will have a full review in my blog later.
February 29, 2020
Anthony Bourdain was a charmer, armed with wit and brilliance, and a mischievous smile, and probably broke many female hearts with his passion for everything in life. On television, his walk was a joy to watch, with long arms and legs striding along, venturing forth to get somewhere, to see, to experience, and enticing and encouraging us to come along. With his decision to cut out early (Anthony Bourdain died in early June, 2018, an apparent suicide), he has broken all of our hearts, for those of us who watched his television programs and read his books, and delighted in what he gave us. This book is a selected compilation of appreciations, from those who personally knew him, and from others who knew him from afar. There are marvelous full-page and double-page color photographs that break my heart. Anthony Bourdain, I am almost, but not quite speechless, so let me sing your praises too.
Bourdain traveled to places all over the world, and brought the world to us: people, cultures, cuisines of people that many of us had not heard of. He was a true adventurer, who probably visited more countries, regions and areas of the world than one of the bean-counting travelers who numerically know the exact number of places they have visited. It was quality of experience, not quantity, that drove him, and he, in turn, dared us to step out of our comfort zones, to get out there and experience something new.
Years before there was the popular, ubiquitous food network, and its spawn of 24-hour cooking programs, and e-Media shows, Bourdain let loose on the culinary world. He was in his forties and wrote a Kitchen confidential : adventures in the culinary underbelly, which set the culinary and food produce world on fire. He spoke truth to the power of secrets known only to those behind closed kitchen doors. Unsparingly, he laid bare his own life as a cook. The reception was not all that welcoming because he let us in on some secrets of restaurants and supermarkets, and what to order and/or buy on certain days of the week.
For such a maverick, who seemed disdainful of aspects of the culinary world, he was formally trained. He had withstood the rigors of professional training at the Culinary Institute of America, aka CIA. He was a perfectionist in his work, on television and in food preparation. This came through in a CNN remembrance, which I have been hard-pressed to find on YouTube. One of the episodes showed a behind-the-scenes filming, where Bourdain's vision and determination to get the shot right, required repeated takes, and lots of grumbling on his part, and almost a cancelled show. In one of his books, he recounts a catering job, which involved pastry for a coulibiac, a complicated multi-layered dish, and something was not quite right with the pastry. Bourdain rhetorically asks us, the readers, "Who did we turn to? Why Julia [Julia Child], of course." In the culinary world, he had respect for diligence and a strong disdain for dalliance.
His books and filmed adventures are as fresh as ever and you can find them right here: novels, graphic novels, cookbooks, DVDs. A warning: Bourdain was a master on the effective use of the f-bomb. I recommend starting with Kitchen confidential, but here are some small appetizers to tempt you.
Medium raw : a bloody valentine to the world of food and the people who cook. This is a follow-up to Kitchen confidential, which could have another subtitle, Bourdain takes no prisoners. There is one particular essay, "Go ask Alice," that could be an example of a pro and con essay all wrapped into one. He slices and dices Alice Waters for some of her more ludicrous and impractical plans for the implementation of organic farming; for her own abuse of natural resources; and for many of her impractical ways of doing things. Then he pulls a switcheroo and gratefully praises her for bringing us a deep appreciation for the food of France and for sensuality, "What makes Alice Waters such a compelling character is her infectious enthusiasm for pleasure." In another essay, "So you wanna be a chef," once again Bourdain tells us like it is, including the raw physical demands of cooking in a real restaurant. It is not the half-hour or one-hour stint as seen on television, not at all. A chef/cook/clean-up crew are on their feet for fifteen to sixteen-hour days, or more, and the knees are the first to go.
Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles cookbook : strategies, recipes, and techniques of classic bistro cooking. On p. 69, in the introduction to the recipe for oeuf périgordins, you will learn, as I did, how to correctly hardboil an egg. There is a proper way to do it, and it makes a major difference in the finished product.
Anthony Bourdain : the last interview and other conversations. In the introduction, food writer Helen Rosner provides a personal and trenchant view of what Bourdain did, in his books and on television, as she earnestly attempts to get to the heart, soul and mind of who Bourdain was, and why he is irreplaceable. I agree, he was an original in the best sense, always following his own lodestar.
Because of whatever demons haunted him, there will be no more reservations for parts, places and food unknown. I hope he is in culinary heaven, talking and cooking with the food greats, and in particular Julia Child, who was revered by Bourdain as the modern master and documentarian of French cooking.
The book opens with a quote from Anthony Bourdain: "If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It's a plus for everybody." Yes, and do it with Bourdain's open heart and unquenchable curiosity.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
Bourdain traveled to places all over the world, and brought the world to us: people, cultures, cuisines of people that many of us had not heard of. He was a true adventurer, who probably visited more countries, regions and areas of the world than one of the bean-counting travelers who numerically know the exact number of places they have visited. It was quality of experience, not quantity, that drove him, and he, in turn, dared us to step out of our comfort zones, to get out there and experience something new.
Years before there was the popular, ubiquitous food network, and its spawn of 24-hour cooking programs, and e-Media shows, Bourdain let loose on the culinary world. He was in his forties and wrote a Kitchen confidential : adventures in the culinary underbelly, which set the culinary and food produce world on fire. He spoke truth to the power of secrets known only to those behind closed kitchen doors. Unsparingly, he laid bare his own life as a cook. The reception was not all that welcoming because he let us in on some secrets of restaurants and supermarkets, and what to order and/or buy on certain days of the week.
For such a maverick, who seemed disdainful of aspects of the culinary world, he was formally trained. He had withstood the rigors of professional training at the Culinary Institute of America, aka CIA. He was a perfectionist in his work, on television and in food preparation. This came through in a CNN remembrance, which I have been hard-pressed to find on YouTube. One of the episodes showed a behind-the-scenes filming, where Bourdain's vision and determination to get the shot right, required repeated takes, and lots of grumbling on his part, and almost a cancelled show. In one of his books, he recounts a catering job, which involved pastry for a coulibiac, a complicated multi-layered dish, and something was not quite right with the pastry. Bourdain rhetorically asks us, the readers, "Who did we turn to? Why Julia [Julia Child], of course." In the culinary world, he had respect for diligence and a strong disdain for dalliance.
His books and filmed adventures are as fresh as ever and you can find them right here: novels, graphic novels, cookbooks, DVDs. A warning: Bourdain was a master on the effective use of the f-bomb. I recommend starting with Kitchen confidential, but here are some small appetizers to tempt you.
Medium raw : a bloody valentine to the world of food and the people who cook. This is a follow-up to Kitchen confidential, which could have another subtitle, Bourdain takes no prisoners. There is one particular essay, "Go ask Alice," that could be an example of a pro and con essay all wrapped into one. He slices and dices Alice Waters for some of her more ludicrous and impractical plans for the implementation of organic farming; for her own abuse of natural resources; and for many of her impractical ways of doing things. Then he pulls a switcheroo and gratefully praises her for bringing us a deep appreciation for the food of France and for sensuality, "What makes Alice Waters such a compelling character is her infectious enthusiasm for pleasure." In another essay, "So you wanna be a chef," once again Bourdain tells us like it is, including the raw physical demands of cooking in a real restaurant. It is not the half-hour or one-hour stint as seen on television, not at all. A chef/cook/clean-up crew are on their feet for fifteen to sixteen-hour days, or more, and the knees are the first to go.
Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles cookbook : strategies, recipes, and techniques of classic bistro cooking. On p. 69, in the introduction to the recipe for oeuf périgordins, you will learn, as I did, how to correctly hardboil an egg. There is a proper way to do it, and it makes a major difference in the finished product.
Anthony Bourdain : the last interview and other conversations. In the introduction, food writer Helen Rosner provides a personal and trenchant view of what Bourdain did, in his books and on television, as she earnestly attempts to get to the heart, soul and mind of who Bourdain was, and why he is irreplaceable. I agree, he was an original in the best sense, always following his own lodestar.
Because of whatever demons haunted him, there will be no more reservations for parts, places and food unknown. I hope he is in culinary heaven, talking and cooking with the food greats, and in particular Julia Child, who was revered by Bourdain as the modern master and documentarian of French cooking.
The book opens with a quote from Anthony Bourdain: "If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It's a plus for everybody." Yes, and do it with Bourdain's open heart and unquenchable curiosity.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
July 4, 2019
A beautiful retrospect on his influence on ordinary people peppered with celebrities' anecdotes.
June 30, 2019
Beautiful and moving tribute to a fascinating man.
June 25, 2019
This was an endearing and lovingly compiled book honoring Anthony Bourdain's legacy in the world of food and culture. It was nice to see how many lives Bourdain touched with his books, shows, and essays, clearly reaching a number of chefs, restaurant workers, self-proclaimed foodies, and armchair travelers alike. The photos on every page were fantastic, capturing Bourdain with his many breakfast, lunch, and dinner dates from all over the world. This compilation of memories reminded me of just how much this person has been and will continue to be missed.
June 19, 2019
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 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.
May 30, 2019
This book is both nothing more and nothing less than a hardcover, heavily illustrated 208 page sympathy card for fans of chef and rebel food journalist Antony Bourdain. Beautiful, staged still photos record his many international journeys while hosting CNN's food documentary series " Parts Unknown'. Completing each page are a handful of the the hundreds of thoughtful social media posts made at his sudden death in 2018. If you've read his books or caught his television series, you already know the mantra he celebrated in his work : "if I'm an advocated for anything, its to move... walk in someone else's shoes or at least - eat their food." Always presented celebrating the shared humanity behind every delicious (or sometimes repulsive) morsel, Bourdain is well and lovingly remembered here. Certainly worthwhile for his fans, as well as for those wishing to learn about an absolute "game changing" personality.
August 2, 2019
“Travel isn’t often pretty. It isn’t often comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” -Anthony Bourdain
This collection of memories about Anthony Bourdain makes me realize the loss, the hole that’s missing from the world now. The hole isn’t because he was a successful journalist, but because he was a genuinely good guy whose work connected people. It urged them to be better, do better, and to listen.
This collection of memories about Anthony Bourdain makes me realize the loss, the hole that’s missing from the world now. The hole isn’t because he was a successful journalist, but because he was a genuinely good guy whose work connected people. It urged them to be better, do better, and to listen.
June 14, 2019
This book is not so much a book as a collection of lovely remembrances from people who had their lives touched by Anthony Bourdain. It was nice to see the variety of ways he was able to help people get on the right path, or just inspire them to do more. Personally, it was a good way to get something positive out of the horrible loss of Anthony Bourdain. There is definitely a hole in all his fans where he once was - luckily many are choosing to give meaning to his life in their future actions.
October 29, 2020
I was crushed when I heard of Bourdain's death. His books had opened my eyes. His shows had changed my view on the world. His thoughts and voice soothed. His death was a heavy weight of sadness that has never completely left me. He made a difference in my world, in so many people's worlds. This book is a great dedication to the man he was and the lives he changed. The photos, alone, are worth looking through. He is truly missed. There will never be another one like him.
May 18, 2019
This book made me cry like the moment I heard he had died. While flipping through the pages and seeing all the beautiful things people had to say about him I realized this might be the funeral the public needs to close this chapter for a man and a career we all loved. This might be the final chapter, the final episode of Parts Unknown and what a trip it has been.
April 18, 2020
I liked it better than I thought I would because it wasn't just a collection of comments from celebrities. However, by the end of the book there is a clear theme connecting the carefully curated reflections of Tony. Still, a nice tribute piece. If your library has a copy, you could pull up a chair and finish it within a short visit.
May 19, 2023
What a beautiful tribute to Anthony Bourdain. It is a gorgeous coffee table book with photos of him around the world, and on each page are quotes from regular people, as well as other chefs, journalists, even Barack Obama, on how Tony influenced our worldview on food, travel and all we as people have in common. Loved every quote and I took such inspiration from it. I can't wait for our next trip.
February 2, 2020
A photo book with remembrances from fans, friends, and those whose life he touched, this is a very quick read, more a coffee table book, but very moving nevertheless.
July 15, 2019
Man, I miss this dude. He gave us more than he could have ever known.
September 18, 2019
Excuse me while I weep into my keyboard.
September 23, 2019
Beautiful memories of Bourdain in photos and written tributes . Through the language of food, he inspired us to be more open to the world.
December 1, 2019
Beautiful tribute.
April 26, 2019
Sometimes when I cook, I have the voice of chef Anne Burrell in my head, telling me I’m using my knife wrong or I need to do something differently. Over the years, though, another voice has been added to hers, overwriting it to tell me that it doesn’t matter if I do it perfectly so long as I’m trying something new, and “screwups are good. Screwups – and bouncing back from screwups – help you conquer fear. … Do not be afraid” (Les Halles). As long as my mise en place is in order (and it had better be or he will yell at me), then everything will be fine. That distinctive voice belongs to Anthony Bourdain.
Probably it’s not normal to have the voices of anyone in your head, but I’ve always been one to have conversations with people I only meet in books, or on TV, or from studying history. I’m not ashamed to admit that some of the best life lessons were ones I’ve received from people I’ve never met in person, some of them fictional. This is far more a tribute to him than is it a book review, so I am going to talk about the late, greatly missed Tony Bourdain. From Tony, watching his shows and reading his books, I’ve learned so many things. Now I know that you should always try a dish twice in case it wasn’t prepared well the first time. Borders don’t matter because we have far more similarities than differences. You’ll never know what you like until you try it. The one truly universal connection between people is food and breaking bread together over a meal, prepared with love and served in a spirit of generosity and openness, is something that transcends religion and politics and language. Traveling to new places and seeing how people in different cultures live is something everyone should do; there is no education in any hallowed institution on earth that can compare with this.
Most of us never got to meet Tony in real life; nevertheless, he had a tremendous impact on our lives all the same. I never met him, but that doesn’t change the fact that I look up to him as a mentor, or that his death left a wound that will always be tender. I know this isn’t how depression works, but I can’t help but wonder if he knew how very many people would be affected by his death, if it would have made a difference. Probably not. I’ll save my rant about the need for better mental health care for a more appropriate place.
As I said, I never got the chance to meet Tony in person. The closest I ever got was a random encounter in London, on opposite sides of a busy street in Soho. That sardonic smile was plainly visible through traffic and crowds and will be a sight I’ll cherish dearly. Nevertheless, I can say that I feel lucky that I was alive and shared the earth at the same time he did. I think the best way to remember him will be to try to approach life like he did – with curiosity and openness and a hunger that can only be satiated by going and seeing and experiencing it for myself.
This book is a collection of memories, left by people who feel as I do. This is not great literature. It isn’t going to move mountains or bring about world peace. It is simply the heartfelt notes of people given in their grief to express a love for a deeply flawed, deeply compassionate, curious, creative, soulful man, someone who touched us all profoundly in some way, and whose loss we feel acutely. People who also learned from Tony that “there is less to fear about the world than we think” or that we should “listen, rather than speak.” We know, because of him, that “it is a privilege to sit at someone’s table” and that we should “go to the place. Eat the thing. Talk to the person.” When we travel, he taught us how to be “less of an observer and more of a participant…”, that we should “offend no one, appreciate the simplest things, and absorb it all”, that “food was a tool through which to understand a place, to broaden your own understanding of the world…”, and that there is “beauty in the sad, and the poignant, and even in the mundane, every day.” He taught us new ways to see, how to be better listeners, and how to find the interesting experiences. I think he’d get a kick out of one comment in particular, written by Amy P, who said, “Tripe. I didn’t enjoy it, but Tony was 100 percent the reason I tried it.” Yes, girl! I have tried things, culinary and otherwise, that I never would have thought to do because of something I learned from Tony. Just try the food. If you don’t like it, then try it again somewhere else, in case the first time wasn’t the best. If you don’t like it after that, well, at least you tried it. But then again, you may discover your new favorite food. You might learn about your new favorite activity. I learned about black pudding in London’s old east end butcher district, and the next time I am there, I’m absolutely going to try some, because that’s what Tony would do. Because the real lesson he left us with is not to be afraid. Go out and try things and see where they take you.
“Travel isn’t often pretty. It isn’t often comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind” (No Reservations). Anthony Bourdain left something good behind, and his presence will continue to be missed. Let’s all go out, have an adventure, and make our own mark on the world.
Bourdain, Anthony. Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Technique of Classic Bistro Cooking. New York: Bloomsbury, 2004.
—-. No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach. New York: Bloomsbury, 2007.
Probably it’s not normal to have the voices of anyone in your head, but I’ve always been one to have conversations with people I only meet in books, or on TV, or from studying history. I’m not ashamed to admit that some of the best life lessons were ones I’ve received from people I’ve never met in person, some of them fictional. This is far more a tribute to him than is it a book review, so I am going to talk about the late, greatly missed Tony Bourdain. From Tony, watching his shows and reading his books, I’ve learned so many things. Now I know that you should always try a dish twice in case it wasn’t prepared well the first time. Borders don’t matter because we have far more similarities than differences. You’ll never know what you like until you try it. The one truly universal connection between people is food and breaking bread together over a meal, prepared with love and served in a spirit of generosity and openness, is something that transcends religion and politics and language. Traveling to new places and seeing how people in different cultures live is something everyone should do; there is no education in any hallowed institution on earth that can compare with this.
Most of us never got to meet Tony in real life; nevertheless, he had a tremendous impact on our lives all the same. I never met him, but that doesn’t change the fact that I look up to him as a mentor, or that his death left a wound that will always be tender. I know this isn’t how depression works, but I can’t help but wonder if he knew how very many people would be affected by his death, if it would have made a difference. Probably not. I’ll save my rant about the need for better mental health care for a more appropriate place.
As I said, I never got the chance to meet Tony in person. The closest I ever got was a random encounter in London, on opposite sides of a busy street in Soho. That sardonic smile was plainly visible through traffic and crowds and will be a sight I’ll cherish dearly. Nevertheless, I can say that I feel lucky that I was alive and shared the earth at the same time he did. I think the best way to remember him will be to try to approach life like he did – with curiosity and openness and a hunger that can only be satiated by going and seeing and experiencing it for myself.
This book is a collection of memories, left by people who feel as I do. This is not great literature. It isn’t going to move mountains or bring about world peace. It is simply the heartfelt notes of people given in their grief to express a love for a deeply flawed, deeply compassionate, curious, creative, soulful man, someone who touched us all profoundly in some way, and whose loss we feel acutely. People who also learned from Tony that “there is less to fear about the world than we think” or that we should “listen, rather than speak.” We know, because of him, that “it is a privilege to sit at someone’s table” and that we should “go to the place. Eat the thing. Talk to the person.” When we travel, he taught us how to be “less of an observer and more of a participant…”, that we should “offend no one, appreciate the simplest things, and absorb it all”, that “food was a tool through which to understand a place, to broaden your own understanding of the world…”, and that there is “beauty in the sad, and the poignant, and even in the mundane, every day.” He taught us new ways to see, how to be better listeners, and how to find the interesting experiences. I think he’d get a kick out of one comment in particular, written by Amy P, who said, “Tripe. I didn’t enjoy it, but Tony was 100 percent the reason I tried it.” Yes, girl! I have tried things, culinary and otherwise, that I never would have thought to do because of something I learned from Tony. Just try the food. If you don’t like it, then try it again somewhere else, in case the first time wasn’t the best. If you don’t like it after that, well, at least you tried it. But then again, you may discover your new favorite food. You might learn about your new favorite activity. I learned about black pudding in London’s old east end butcher district, and the next time I am there, I’m absolutely going to try some, because that’s what Tony would do. Because the real lesson he left us with is not to be afraid. Go out and try things and see where they take you.
“Travel isn’t often pretty. It isn’t often comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind” (No Reservations). Anthony Bourdain left something good behind, and his presence will continue to be missed. Let’s all go out, have an adventure, and make our own mark on the world.
Bourdain, Anthony. Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Technique of Classic Bistro Cooking. New York: Bloomsbury, 2004.
—-. No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach. New York: Bloomsbury, 2007.
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