Title: Dearie, The Remarkable Life of Julia Child
Author: Bob Spitz
557 pages; Softcover, $16.00 US/$19.00 Can.
Publisher: Vantage Books/Random House Inc. New York, 2012
Reviewed by, Chef John Vyhnanek

The review--- Julia Child was a friend of mine so whenever I see a new book with her as the focus, I m amused. There have been many accounts of her life either in print or in movies, some good and some not so accurate.

Dearie, The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz is pretty darn good! I find the book well written, it held my attention and I even learned some things about Julia I didn t know. In a historical perspective we travel through her life s adventures, from birth in California to France during WWII, her husband Paul to WGBH and the French Chef : It's all in the book.

Would Julia like this book if she was still with us? I think she would but would also be somewhat taken back with all the fuss! Julia was a real sweetheart who was really easy to approach. She liked simple things, asked so many questions and enjoyed being with friends. She hated to be fussed over! Give her a good steak, red wine and friends and she d be in heaven!

If you want to know more about this remarkable person then buy the book and enjoy! Beware though, in its 557 pages there are no recipes or techniques that will make you a better cook. This is pure Julia, all Julia and more Julia.