![Life, on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat | [Grant Achatz, Nick Kokonas]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51r7dtY7QHL._SL175_.jpg "Life, on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat | [Grant Achatz, Nick Kokonas]")
Life, on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat
- UNABRIDGED
- by
- Narrated by
-
Your Likes make Audible better!
'Likes' are shared on Facebook and Audible.com. We use your 'likes' to improve Audible.com for all our listeners.
You can turn off Audible.com sharing from your Account Details page.
OK
- Regular Price :$27.99Special Offer: Learn how to get this for $7.49 !
-
Average Customer Rating
-
-
LENGTH12 hrs and 51 mins
-
RELEASE DATE03-18-11
-
AUDIO FORMATS
-
Program TypeAudiobook
-
PUBLISHER
People who bought this also bought...
Publisher's Summary
In 2007, chef Grant Achatz seemingly had it made. He had been named one of the best new chefs in America by Food & Wine in 2002, received the James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year Award in 2003, and in 2005 he and Nick Kokonas opened the conceptually radical restaurant Alinea, which was named Best Restaurant in America by Gourmet magazine. Then, positioned firmly in the world's culinary spotlight, Achatz was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma - tongue cancer.
The prognosis was grim, and doctors agreed that the only course of action was to remove the cancerous tissue, which included his entire tongue. Desperate to preserve his quality of life, Grant undertook an alternative treatment of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. But the choice came at a cost. Skin peeled from the inside of Grant's mouth and throat, he rapidly lost weight, and most alarmingly, he lost his sense of taste. Tapping into the discipline, passion, and focus of being a chef, Grant rarely missed a day of work. He trained his chefs to mimic his palate and learned how to cook with his other senses. As Kokonas was able to attest, the food was never better. Five months later, Grant was declared cancer-free, and just a few months following, he received the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef in America Award.
Life, on the Line tells the story of a culinary trailblazer's love affair with cooking, but it is also a book about survival, about nurturing creativity, and about profound friendship. Already much-anticipated by followers of progressive cuisine, Grant and Nick's gripping narrative is filled with stories from the world's most renowned kitchens - the French Laundry, Charlie Trotter's, el Bulli - and sure to expand the audience that made Alinea the number-one selling restaurant cookbook in America last year.
©2011 Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas (P)2011 Tantor
What the Critics Say
"Achatz and Kokonas share an engaging, well-written, and informative description of what it's like to work in commercial kitchens along with the stirring story of Achatz's fight for his life." (Library Journal)
More from the same
What Members Say
-
"Great Cook! Great Story!"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?I would recommend this to anyone who loves the ins of the kitchen. It is comes across as an honest look at inside the life of a cook (chef).
Who was your favorite character and why?I have always been fascinated by chef's and the look into their world and this is what Grant Achatz gives you.
Have you listened to any of Johnny Heller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?No but he is a great narrator.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?Absolutely!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
chris FREDERICKSBURG, VA, United States 03-07-13 Member Since 2009- HELPFUL VOTES
- 5
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 84
- 24
"Chef of the year fends for his life with gusto"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?Only if he were either a chef or suffering from a chronic disease and needed encouragement
What did you like best about this story?The main character's humility
Which character – as performed by Johnny Heller – was your favorite?The main character
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?Come and get it before it's gone...
Any additional comments?Fairly good feel good book that they should have spent more time on choosing a name...
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Sue Williamsburg, VA, United States 01-11-13 Member Since 2011- HELPFUL VOTES
- 52
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 90
- 20
"Expectations can sometimes ruin a book"
What disappointed you about Life, on the Line?I was really expecting the book to be mostly about the Chef's tongue cancer and how he could be a chef while losing his sense of taste. However, the first ten hours of the book all had to do with his life as a chef and the opening of his resaurant. Since I felt like I was never getting to the story I wanted to hear, I was disappointed in the book.
What was most disappointing about Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas ’s story?Both of their very elevated egos are obvious in the book. I couldn't help wondering what the people who worked for them thought of them.
What didn’t you like about Johnny Heller’s performance?I've listened to many books and I felt like his performance was whiny. It didn't add anything to the story and was somewhat irritating.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Delicious and Courageous"
Would you consider the audio edition of Life, on the Line to be better than the print version?Many of the French preparation terms would have compelled me to stop reading so I could look up the pronunciation and definition so I preferred the audio edition.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Life, on the Line?When he realized that he was given an amazing second chance and started spending more time on "life."
Have you listened to any of Johnny Heller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?This was a first, but I'd like to hear more.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?I was touched that he wanted to treat his dad to a dinner at TFL and when he and his mother sat crying on the sofa toward the end of his radiation therapy.
Any additional comments?My husband is presently undergoing the same treatment for the same type of cancer to his tongue. This book gave us a lot of hope that all the things that seem so difficult right now will improve. I was overwhelmed by the chef's courage throughout the book, but wish there had been more follow-up on his present prognosis and what his follow-up treatment has been like.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Trish Virginia 07-21-12 Member Since 2005I have always loved to read, and now I really enjoy listening to my books as well!!
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 14
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 207
- 49
"Great Story!!"
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Life, on the Line. It is a wonderful story of Grant's determination to become a chef and own a first-class restaurant--on his own terms. His ideas regarding food presentations were unique and sounded simply amazing. The narrator of this book was also excellent--it was an all-around win for me! I wish Grant Achatz well, and hope to hear more from him in the future--
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"shows a real love for food and its creation."
Where does Life, on the Line rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Top 10
Who was your favorite character and why?Grant, his determination
Which scene was your favorite?When he first got to Tru
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?When he wins the James Beard award
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Simply Amazing Book!"
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is extremely exciting and detailed. You learn what a class act Grant and Nick must be. If you love food (real food) and have a desire to know how cooking really comes about and how a restaurant is put together then you'll love this book.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful