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The movie
‘Dirty Dancing’ left no doubt in the minds of most people that Patrick
Swayze was a dancer of note but what few realise is that he was overall an
incredibly successful sportsman and highly trained dancer. His
autobiography, ‘The Time of My Life’, which was completed shortly before he
died, reveals an insight into his life that is both touching and awe
inspiring.
His devotion
and commitment to both his career and his wife over seemingly insurmountable
odds makes one realise what a strong character lay behind the man on the
screen. Having defied death several times during his life, he was determined
that his ultimate illness would be met the same way. Head on and with a
fierce determination to win. Sadly, it was not to be but for all lovers of
dance, the ultimate love story and the belief that determination conquers
all, this book is a winner and an easy read.
Written
jointly with his Finnish wife Lisa Niemi - it is published by Simon &
Schuster – available in hardback –GBP£7-20 or GBP£3-99 in paperback from
Amazon.
Open by
Andre Agassi
Probably the most widely
misunderstood tennis player, this book reveals the true man behind the
tennis phenomenon. With an upbringing that would make many shudder, there
is little doubt that the severity and dedication of his father has formed
Andre Agassi into what he became as one of the world’s finest tennis
players.
His love hate relationship with the
sport and the constant demands on his health and sanity leaves one wondering
why people push themselves so hard to succeed but it takes one to know one.
Perhaps if he had got it together with his soul mate Stephanie Graff a
little sooner, he perhaps wouldn’t have suffered as much. It’s clear the
emotional support and understanding she has been able to offer him has made
him into the well balanced, devoted husband and father that he is today.
The lessons he learnt along the way
show how he is always there for other people and his personal support to
them is always put before any tennis match. Perhaps most touching of all is
to learn just how much he has given to the less fortunate in terms of
education by creating schools where those who once had no hope can now
succeed beyond their wildest dreams. He has learnt to appreciate how much
more satisfying it is to give than it is to receive and through the pages of
his book one can only find a deep filled respect for this man who has it all
but suffered so much along the way in order to achieve it. If ever there was
an example that you can reach for your dream – this is it – both in terms of
sport and love.
Published by Harper Collins –
available in Hardback from Amazon at GBP10-56 – Soft cover due out shortly.
Its divine, it’s luscious, and oh its pictures are
unbelievably mouth watering! Forget the cover which is sadly a tad boring,
it’s what lies within that blows the mind. Photos of the creamiest of
sauces drizzled over golden glowing pastry. Chocolate ganache on tarts that
beg to be swallowed and choux pastry with caramel glazing that will have you
positively drooling over the pages. Get the picture? You’ll wish you could
since Michel Roux’s book simply entitled ‘Pastry – Savoury and Sweet’ is
every foodie lover’s delight but it must surely be photographer Martin
Brigdale’s ability to capture the magic of pastry that entices the most.
Not only does top world chef Michel Roux make pastry seem inviting, he makes
it seem easy to prepare. The straight forward explanations, super
photography of the step by step moves to make filo, puff, shortcrust,
choux and many more types of pastry are all here. It’s rare that a book is
as good as its cover but in the case it is simply the reverse – the book is
so much better than its cover. It remains a mystery to me why they didn’t
use one of the many magnificent shots used inside the book, to tempt the
buyer to pick it up and peruse it from the shelf. Being an avid Amazon fan,
I got my hands on this new paperback release the day it came out and took
the gamble that the contents would be good enough to eat and they certainly
are. For GBP10 this substantial soft cover copy is worth its weight in,
dare I say it - pastry? Published by Quadrille it was given a special
commendation in the Andre Simon Awards. Award winning or not it’s for
everyone who likes to get down and dirty in the world of flour… Enjoy.
OTTOLENGHI
– The Cookbook
Quite simply the finest cookbook I have held in my hands for many years.
Basically unknown outside the UK, two enterprising young men, Yotam
Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi opened up a restaurant and seriously upmarket
café in London’s presitigious Notting Hill. The result is nothing short of a
masterpiece in terms of culinary skills as superbly reflected in the pages
of their cookbook named after one of the chef’s as is the restaurant.
Pulling on their backgrounds and using cultural influences from Persia to
California their recipes are as unique as they are. Using plenty of pulses,
fruit and vegetables the recipes are well laid out and explained and
generally adjacent to page with high quality photographs depicting the dish.
The book has been put together with total dedication and care shown not only
by the quality of paper on which it is printed but the effort that has gone
into explaining where to source certain ingredients which may be a little
different to the norm or not readily obtainable on your doorstep. Websites
are given for ordering certain spices for example.
The early pages of the book are dedicated to explaining their philosophy
about food whilst the endless pages of mouth watering recipes and pictures
make it a foodie lovers delight. I purchased this book not knowing anything
about them and based it purely on reviews of others. I have been totally
blown away by its magnificence. Simply the best cook book in many years. I
cannot recommend it highly enough for vegetarians, healthy eaters and
those like me who just enjoy a great assortment of quality recipes to
enhance the kitchen.
Published by Ebury Press – the recommended selling price is GBP25 however it
is available via Amazon for GBP16.
Au Revoir to All That ....
Any book that Marco Pierre White describes as ‘One of the greatest books
I’ve read’, must surely entice any foodie to turn its pages. Enter ‘Au
Revoir to All that’ by Michael Steinberger.
Described as ‘The Rise and Fall of French Cuisine’ it reveals his viewpoint
on why the French have suffered in recent years at the hands of their chefs
and perhaps their politicians. His research into why arguably the most
famous cuisine in the world has now become almost passé is a serious page
turner once you get past the first couple of chapters which are a trifle
slow. Once one understands the thinking behind great chefs such as Ducasse,
Bocuse and Chapel the whole French food scenario suddenly becomes a lot
clearer – for better and worse in some cases.
It reveals the secrets as to why one of the finest cooks in Paris boasting
French culinary skills today is Japanese and that France also boasts a three
star Michelin chef who hails originally from Pakistan. Its fascinating stuff
and the number of top restaurants that are mentioned within the pages of
Michael’s book will have foodies the world over salivating and wanting to
jump on the next plane to Paris. This despite the message that French
cuisine is not what it was and how chefs today have been forced to change
their mindset in order to cope with an increasingly competitive and
financially strapped market.
Marco Pierre White is as controversial as he is successful and doubtless
this book of Michael Steinberger’s falls into the same category. It’s this
which makes the book both a fascinating yet at times eye opening read. With
chefs often more fond of being in front of the camera than in their
restaurant’s kitchen it should come as a warning to chefs world wide just
what could happen if you don’t keep your eye on the pot and it starts to
boil over. Published by Bloomsbury, in hardback it retails for GBP18.99 or
via Amazon at considerably less.
Sun at Midnight -
Rosie Thomas
Few people visit
Antarctica and fewer still write about their experiences. An author, who
bases a novel in such a unique place, is one who has insight and skill
combined. The novel ‘Sun at Midnight’ by Rosie Thomas, is written in such a
way that it captures the mind of the reader from the outset and at the end
leaves one with a nagging wish to perhaps explore this vast area should the
opportunity arise.
The novel is based around
a young woman’s wish to make true on a promise to her mother, to follow in
her footsteps by making a name for herself in Antarctica. The circumstances
surrounding her visit throw up some surprising twists and challenges, all of
which are described with considerable sensitivity. Perhaps most of all
though, it is the wondrous descriptions of Antarctica that enthral the
reader the most. In so doing one can truly visualise this natural wonderland
in all its guises and colours through the calm and the storms. The bravery
of the people who live there for months at a time in conditions that can at
times be distinctly inhospitable whilst others can prove to be a life
changing experience. The love story which unfolds within the pages of this
book makes it an easy but fascinating read.
Published by Harper
Collins it is available worldwide in paperback and combines the world of
destination travel with a startling good read. Currently available from
Amazon UK for £.49
Ripailles by
Stephane Reynaud
Every once
in a while a cook book comes along that zooms straight away to the top of
the best seller list. I am not talking about the Jamie Oliver or Nigella
Lawson numbers which seem to be two a penny these days but rather one that
offers an insight into French cuisine unlike any other. Destined to become a
classic that sits on the shelves of a dedicated cook, it provides a guide to
traditional French cuisine through everyone of its 480 pages. The sections
are clearly broken up into the meat, fish, shell fish, fruit and vegetable
areas but perhaps most fun is the way they have diagrams and little extras
that are designed to raise a smile. For example on one of the pages there is
a ‘red wine ring ‘ clearly meant to appear as if some forgetful person
whilst supping on wine when turning the pages had inadvertently rested
their glass on the same. The index inside the front and back covers are
delightfully different and sections range from the size of eggs, Lyonnaise
vocabulary, well known songs to profiles on well known chefs and places in
addition to your blissfully easy to use index. The wonderful photographs
will have the experienced as well as those new to the kitchen positively
salivating at the thought of what they can produce. Lest one should forget
this is a French cook book, one is reminded through the recipes which
include those for foie gras, tongue in Madeira sauce, wild boar with juniper
berries and many others.
For those
who may panic that the book is only available in French, rest easy. You can
purchase in it in English too. Published by Murdoch Books in hardback, its
recommended selling price is GBP25 however it is available for considerably
less through sites such as Amazon. It’s a winner. Bon Appetit!
This page last updated on
12/08/2010 | 
