Review of Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral BiographyBourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography by Laurie Woolever
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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I don’t know that I have any right to contribute a review of the biography of a man that I watched on TV and respected. I can say that many of his thoughts on food and culture reflected mine, that his opinion held weight and made me feel assured in my approach to food and life. I’m not trying to say that I’m anything like Bourdain, I have no such delusions, but more that I heard an expert voice that made me feel heard, that good food doesn’t have to be complex, that good wine is the wine you like best.

Sure, there’s haute cuisine and it has its place, but simple doesn’t mean bad.

Enjoy what you like, but then sit down with someone you don’t know and try something else.

That’s what I learned from Bourdain: life is short, so live it, eat something different, talk to strangers, and check in with those that you love. Make sure they know you love them and that they’re not alone.

Sadly, I also learned that far too often those people that don’t “seem the type” also commit suicide. As though we haven’t had countless examples of this, once again we are reminded that there is no stereotypical face for mental illness. Depression hides behind a mask, and Tony wore a magnificent mask.

But also, it’s important that we all know that there’s nothing wrong with reaching out when we need help. We all forget this, some more than others, but reaching out is not a weakness. Being vulnerable is brave, and though it’s difficult, it is not weak.

I’m not suggesting Tony was weak or trying to analyze what could have been done to prevent him from ending his life, but even in his unfortunate death Tony has still taught me something.

In the end, that’s not a terrible legacy, but it pales when compared to the daughter who has lost her father, a brother who has lost his sibling, etc., etc.

Tony has taught us much and continues to teach us still, but the world would be better off if he was still among us.

Want to read it yourself?

Libby: Audiobook
Amazon: Audiobook¹ | Hardcover² | Kindle³ | Paperback⁴

Originally written and published on Goodreads in April of 2023

© 2025 Michael A. Diaz