Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

I downloaded this book because Kitchen Confidential is one of my all-time favorites. If you're a food geek, you'll definitely like this one, however, for me it was seemed like chapter after chapter of Bourdain getting on one soap box after another. That said, there's a bunch of snark and humorous rants he goes on so I enjoyed the listen overall.

What more is there to say about an audio book? Anthony Bourdain is outspoken and passionate. He writes about food and the food industry intending to inform and entertain. He does this with humor and perception. Tony introduces you to a world that is deeper and more important than many people give credit to - a world just as prominent in politics as it is in high society. He makes you think about what he is telling you and challenges you to draw your own conclusions.

My only gripe - lay off the four letter words.

Yes, I already listened to it twice. I have incredibly long commutes to and from work. Listening to Bourdain's book in the car helped me survive my worst commuting week of the year. His story is so unique and fascinting and his writing so honest, thought-provoking, and funny that listening to him narrate it just feels right.

Anthony Bourdain is my favorite character because of his depth and humor. Justo Thomas, Ottavia Bourdain, and Fergus Henderson have such important roles and are described so grandly it is hard not to admire them.

Bourdain's narration taught me that reading and listening are totally different experiences. I had already read and was a fan of Bourdain's story. I didn't think that the audiobook would add anything to my experience but decided to try it out before I gifted it to a friend. Listening made me appreciate the story even more. It was also great to finally learn the correct pronunciation of various places and things.

I could probably have listened to it all in a couple of sittings, because nine hours is a bit long. My listening was interrupted only by work and the end of an exhausting commute. But because it was the only thing I listened to in my car it took less than a week for me to finish.

Really enjoyed this book. Funny, barbed, and insightful in ways that go beyond "foodiedom", this book frequently had me in stitches. If you like food, are fascinated by the inner workings of the restaurant business (told in a tell-it-like-you-see-it style) you can't go wrong with this. Bourdain never ceases to provide food for thought, be it bad food or good.

This is the continuation of Kitchen Confidential...and also a review of sorts of many of the heavy hitters in the food business...from the Restaurants to the TV shows....a insightful background story that is always entertaining and even though it is NSFW, it delivers a great life lesson....you never know where you will end up, and the journey can be so interesting....well done! Great narration and great story....

I loved Kitchen Confidential, in part because it was the story of a punk rock underdog from Manhattan, a demographic close to my heart and history. Occasionally over the years I have wondered how success and maturity have affected Bourdain, and this book answered most of my questions. Bourdain narrates, which is all important. The chapters on the dissolution of his marriage and his grappling with fame were moving, and quite sad. I found it laudable that he has the ability to admit that he's a jerk and has been wrong about a lot of things. And the section on the fish expert at Le Bernardin is just amazingly good journalism. Yes, he can be a strident, opinionated blowhard, but I think that's part of his charm. His devotion to cooking (and cooks) is infectious.

Enjoyable, if somewhat strident at times, this book catches readers up on the life of the author (and his antics) and recaps the lives of people covered in other books. Very enjoyable book.

This sequel to Kitchen Confidential is very good, but Bourdain's ego and opinions get a little bloated and tedious. However, when he begins to berate the Food Network, it is the best. definietly download if you like his first book.

Anthony Bourdain observes and reports with an edgy wit peppered with just the right blend of erudition and four-letter words. There is not a boring moment in this and you'll easily listen to it twice. It does meander slightly and its hard to discern an overall theme- but you'll be so hypnotized by the stream of ideas and wit that you won't notice this.

If you like Anthony Bourdain, then this is a must have. If you enjoyed any of his other books, this also an essential book to add to your collection. It's not necessary to have read his other works first, but I would recommend it. If you just watch his TV show, you can get by, but you really should at the very least get through Kitchen Confidential.

Tony of course has very interesting stories and takes. Tony also has an mastery of being candid, which is difficult for many authors. I was even surprised at his willingness to discuss certain things in this book. I am a huge fan, I loved the book, and I have to recommend this one. I hope he keeps writing because I can't get enough of Mr. Bourdain!