Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...
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Book Review: Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay

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Non-Fiction Autobiography of Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay
Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay takes a mind-blowing look into the life of Gordon Ramsay. From his tough childhood to his father's alcoholism and brother's heroin addition to a failed soccer career, you'll learn what made Gordon Ramsay the chef he is today.

Several years ago, I stumbled on to a reality show on the Fox Network called Hell's Kitchen, which was in the middle of its third season. There was nothing else on television so I wanted to see what this "new" show was all about, and I immediately fell in love with it. Much to my surprise, it had two previous seasons. (I still don't know how I hadn't heard about this show before then.) 

From there, I fell in love with the show Kitchen Nightmares, 24 Hours to Hell and Back, and all things Gordon Ramsay. When he came out with his autobiography, Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection, I knew I had to buy the book and read it.

One of the things I was most surprised about was that Ramsay was born in Scotland, not England and grew up in poverty. The other being that he was on track to having a soccer career until he tore some cartilage in his knee that kept him from going further with it. It was also interesting to learn that he worked in a French restaurant without knowing a word of French! I was shocked to learn how his father struggled with alcoholism and violence, and the way he treated everyone was horrifying. 

I have to say I have a new found respect of Gordon Ramsay with all he had to go through in his childhood. I don't want to give too much away, but Roasting in Hell's Kitchen:  Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection is well worth the read and getting to know Ramsay behind the television persona that has been created . . . everything isn't always what it seems. I gave it four out of five stars.

If you liked Roasting in Hell's Kitchen:  Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection, then you'll like Here's the Story:  Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick.


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