Pretty much whipped through this as though I were in the dentist's office. The author is a snappy, clever writer and I do want to rewatch some of the episodes, but it's a sad, difficult tale of mental illness and scorned love. ( )

listening to the Vitale book, then this bio made for a swirl of emotions. We don't know people on tv, got it. However, they are human beings. So initial feeling was, Vitale is writing waaay too soon after his friend's death and speaking ill of the dead. Classy.

So going to the Leerhsen book is a way to test that, see a different angle. It invokes the same feeling, too soon, too negative. The final sentences comment that Bourdain's brother hosted a memorial, but spoke with barely veiled resentment about his dead brother. "You think he was great, let me tell you!"being the gist.

It's beyond comical that Leerhsen ends on this note. His entire book essentially says the same. Is he a straight shooter that's just exposing the real guy? He's just as bitter as the brother. These people write of the dead perhaps, because they dont want to get sued if attempting while the subject is alive. Be Kitty Kelley, say it to their face.

The suicide jokes and faux concern for Bourdain's daughter are appalling. Published a mere four years after his death, and still several years ahead of her being an adult - not likely that this poor child figured into Leerhsen's thoughts.

AA: probably pretty correct on this and probably holding back some of what he could have put in. He's bold in clearly making an accusation, but it still feels like he pulled a punch here. Perhaps, that's the only thing agreeable in the book. Ultimately, people have free will and having so much, yet leaving is indeed a tragedy. ( )