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In the Weeds
In the Weeds: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain | Tom Vitale
Anthony Bourdain's long time director and producer takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the insanity of filming television in some of the most volatile places in the world and what it was like to work with a legend. In the nearly two years since Anthony Bourdain's death, no one else has come close to filling the void he left. His passion for and genuine curiosity about the people and cultures he visited made the world feel smaller and more connected. Despite his affable, confident, and trademark snarky TV persona, the real Tony was intensely private, deeply conflicted about his fame, and an enigma even to those close to him. Tonys devoted crew knew him best, and no one else had a front-row seat for as long as his director and producer, Tom Vitale. Over the course of more than a decade traveling together, Tony became a boss, a friend, a hero and, sometimes, a tormentor.In the Weeds takes readers behind the scenes to reveal not just the insanity that went into filming in some of the most far-flung and volatile parts of the world, but what Tony was like unedited and off-camera. From the outside, the job looked like an all-expenses-paid adventure to places like Borneo, Vietnam, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Libya. What happened off-camera was far more interesting than what made it to air. The more things went wrong, the better it was for the show. Fortunately, everything fell apart constantly.
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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

This is a compelling look into a world famous chef, traveler, tv personality. I only watched a few episodes of the shows discussed and remember liking them, so getting the behind the scenes was interesting. However, while I appreciate everything Bourdain did to bring lesser known cuisine to viewers, I found him off-putting and at times a jerk. I also think the author could probably benefit from some therapy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Vitale worked on all four iterations of Bourdain‘s shows, ultimately directing over 100 episodes. He loved and idolized Bourdain whose death has obvs had a profound impact on so many. This is part memoir, part travelogue, and an honest tribute to a man whose charisma allowed him to connect with the likes of me as well as scads of others. I thoroughly enjoyed Vitale‘s writing style. One of my top reads of 2024! #coverlove #botm

JenReadsAlot I loved this one too! 4mo
Megabooks Agree! This was so good! 4mo
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britt_brooke
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Thanks for the heads up! 😂

Megabooks I would‘ve loved to be along on one of their adventures, though! 🙌🏻 4mo
49 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Vitale was a longtime producer and director of Bourdain‘s Parts Unknown and No Reservations. I fell down a bit of a Bourdain rabbit hole over Christmas and decided to reread this as well as watching iconic episodes and the film Roadrunner. If you want bts info, this is a great book, but two things struck me hard on this second read.

1. Tom was one of the few people who talked to Asia after Tony‘s death. She was so roundly blamed for it ⬇️

Megabooks that she was cut out of most retrospectives. It is so hard to know what goes on in others‘ relationships. I would‘ve liked to know more how Asia felt. 2. Tony passed Tom a thumb drive when they were on location and said, “Don‘t look at this.” So Tom didn‘t until after his death. It was an unfinished memoir centered around the loneliness of his fame and lifestyle. After consuming all this media, his suicide seems a lot less surprising. 😢 12mo
Kimberlone This has been sitting on my TBR since it came out. I also have the Bourdain oral history book that I am hoping to get to this year. I‘m glad this book confronts the Asia Argento part of the end of his life. I felt like the documentary Roadrunner leaving her out entirely and implying the blame was on her for his mental health/suicide was a bit unfair without showing her side of things. Maybe they asked her to be involved and she declined but idk… 12mo
Megabooks @Kimberlone according to Asia, she was not asked to participate and cut off from all the people who were primarily his friends and co-workers. The Bourdain oral biography is excellent and draws in people from all parts of his life (brother, first wife, friends before KC, 2nd wife, all the ZPZ folks, famous friends, and even Ariane), but also addresses Asia as the boogeyman that caused his death. But I really don‘t think it‘s just her. 12mo
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Megabooks @Kimberlone he had serious mental illness problems and was in therapy and struggling with agoraphobia and depression. Could have the issues with Asia that night pushed him over the edge? Yes, certainly. But there was a lot more going on than a relationship on the rocks. (edited) 12mo
MicheleinPhilly @Kimberlone The oral history one is excellent and just flies by despite the length. Still haven‘t read this one yet though. 12mo
vivastory Adding to my tbr 12mo
Kimberlone @Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly both books are a priority to get to soon! I was a huge Bourdain fan going back to no reservations and I‘ve read all his nonfiction books, so his death impacted me a lot more than the average celebrity. The way that his death was framed always rubbed me the wrong way, since he was pretty open about his dark past and addiction issues, I always personally felt the relationship with Asia was more a symptom than cause. (edited) 12mo
vivastory @megabooks @kimberlone My impression after reading the oral biography a couple of years ago re: Argento, she definitely was unfairly cast as the villain in their relationship. I think that they probably had an unhealthy relationship, but I think that it was the demands of the show of constant traveling and all of the hours he put in that finally took their toll. 12mo
Kimberlone @vivastory loving all the discourse. I am now even more excited to read both books. I‘ll post my opinions soon hopefully! 12mo
Megabooks @Kimberlone @MicheleinPhilly @vivastory excellent point of an unhealthy relationship being a symptom vs cause. I think it was in roadrunner that someone said the interlude with Ottavia and Ariane was less in line with the trajectory of his life than the end with Asia. Dude definitely had some demons! Tom in this book said when he attended the gathering Tony‘s brother had after his death, he noted just how many people were ⬇️ 12mo
Megabooks Paid friends involved in his fame and his show. Tom said Tony would try to get him to stay near him in his hotel, but Tom also never felt on his end that they were friends. He thought of Tony as a boss he wanted to impress or maybe an older brother he was afraid of disappointing. God, he just must‘ve been so lonely. And I feel bad for Ripert, too, having to find him. 12mo
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review
booklover3258
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/mDKOQ-GOfi8

Enjoy!

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Traci1
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Poppy cannot seem to stop sniffing my library book. I wonder if the person who had it before me was eating bacon while they were reading. 🤔

Leftcoastzen 👏😁🐶 2y
RowReads1 🤔One of my cats likes to lick book covers. Ok she‘ll lick almost anything. 🐶🐶🐶🐶 2y
Gissy Aww!🐶🐾❤️❤️🐾 2y
batsy Or... Poppy is a Litten 😆 2y
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Traci1
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The bottom 4 plus the Year of Yes were today's #libraryhaul. The top 3 left, I got from the friends of the library book sale (for $2.50). Hard to say which I'm most enthusiastic about, but I've been wanting to read the tagged one for a while.

RamsFan1963 Metatropolis and Head On are both really good books. I'm a big fan of John Scalzi. 2y
Traci1 @RamsFan1963 I have been reading his Old Man's War books most recently and was really hoping to find the last 3 books in that series. I have liked or loved everything of Scalzi's that I've read so far. 2y
64 likes2 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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#12booksof2022 - June - absolutely loved this and still miss this man. @Andrew65

Andrew65 Tragic loss of life when he had so much to offer. 2y
30 likes1 comment
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Smartypants
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Pickpick

I miss Anthony Bourdain, recently read Kitchen Confidential so picked up this memoir of his production partner describing his friendship with him. Definitely some sad parts as he talks with all that Anthony wrestled with in his life. Also some funny stories too. The author does a good job balancing reality with Bourdain‘s charisma.

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JenReadsAlot
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I didn't know about this show until reading tagged book so spending time with Anthony tonight 💗

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

What a walk down memory lane from Vitale who worked with Anthony Bourdain for years. I laughed and cried and loved all the pictures.

41 likes2 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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1. Tagged book is all over the world! Still miss this man... also reading a book on Ukraine
2. The 1619 Project
3. Other Birds by SAA! Already pre-ordered
Thanks @peaknit @eggs #wondrouswednesday

Eggs I‘m with you on #3!!! 3y
16 likes1 comment
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JenReadsAlot
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My #bookspin and #doublespin picks for June! Mercy has been on my shelf for years... @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
29 likes1 comment
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AllGrainyDays
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“I think most people do the best they can, and a lot of times that means they're going to fuck you over. And you know, it's on me if I have unreasonable expectations of people, which I do."

tokorowilliamwallace So do I, I've heard. Struggles of being a Virgo. 3y
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bookish_wookish
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Starting this one today and it will be my read tomorrow for the start of the #sharreadathon in memory of or bookish friend @sharread who we lost last month.
See @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks post for more info. ♥️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
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reading_rainbow
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tom‘s whole life was devoted and revolved around Tony. This book felt like his way of working through those feelings of loss, his complicated relationship for a complicated man and coming to the realization of not knowing himself or what to do with his life now that Tony is no longer here. Pretty good book, quick read

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reading_rainbow
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Tony in the Congo going full Apocalypse Now😂 This book keeps cracking me up lol. Tom is an enjoyable writer. I‘m enjoying The dynamic between Tony‘s volatile mood swings and Toms anxious, some what antagonizing personality.
So far a really interesting read about the complexity of Tony‘s character. Great behind the scenes look at the show

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peacegypsy
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Pickpick

This was heartbreaking because we lost him, but if you want to feel like you actually got to meet Anthony Bourdain, here‘s your chance. The quotations from him let you hear his voice, and Vitale in no way made this a book about him. It‘s a true tribute to Tony. If you‘ve watched a lot of the shows, it gives you a great description of what goes into each episode. This book brings Tony to life, even for a bit longer, and for that I give it 5 ⭐️.

Leftcoastzen Wow, have to get to this one! 3y
46 likes1 comment
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peacegypsy
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Started this today. I know I have no personal connection to Anthony Bourdain, but this book makes me miss him more than I did. What an amazing individual. Netflix pulled his shows—does anyone know where you can watch them?

peacegypsy I just found quite a few seasons of his various shows on Amazon Prime if you‘d like to watch! 3y
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sigdarenko
Pickpick

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peacegypsy
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So excited-picked this for my free birthday month book from #botm! Absolutely adore Bourdain and try to catch his shows whenever possible.

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Twocougs
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Since Anthony Bourdain‘s heartbreaking death, I‘ve stayed far away from his books, his show. I just couldn‘t bring myself to but this book changed things for me. Tom was Anthony‘s producer and director. He knew the real Tony as well as anyone could. Tom‘s memoir gives a us a peak into the real Tony and his adventures. You also feel Tom‘s heartbreak and genuine love.

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Kimberlone
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Received my #BOTM box yesterday, just in time for my birthday. Tagged book was my free birthday add-on for this month. I‘ve not had a lot of reading progress this month, but my bf left this morning to return to work, so I am going to try to take advantage of the alone time to focus on reading this week.

I won‘t be reading tonight, as I will be having some girlfriends over for cake, pizza, wine, and a Hamilton viewing!

vivastory Happy Birthday 🎉🍷🎂 3y
Bookzombie Happy Birthday! 🥳🧁🎉Sounds like a fun night! 3y
BookBosomed1 Happy birthday! 3y
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Reggie Happy Birthday! 3y
BarbaraBB Happy birthday 🎈🎊 3y
DivineDiana Wishing you a fabulous year?! 🎉 3y
Bookwomble Belated birthday wishes 🎂🥂 3y
70 likes7 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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#bookmail thanks @Megabooks for putting this on my radar!

Megabooks Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! 3y
34 likes1 comment
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fredthemoose
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Memoir of a director/producer who worked on Anthony Bourdain‘s shows for years. Stories and anecdotes from their travels, bits of insight from his relationship with Bourdain, and his attempts to find some meaning and closure. Bourdain sounded like a huge handful, but also incomparable. Recommend if you watched/enjoyed any of his shows!

LibrarianBanana This is my next read, I absolutely loved his documentary. I'm watching it again this weekend. 3y
fredthemoose @LibrarianBanana oooh—I haven‘t seen the documentary! I‘ll have to check it out. I hope you like the book! The oral biography that just came out was really good, too. 3y
LibrarianBanana @fredthemoose Highly recommend the documentary! So well put together. I'll check that oral biography too, thanks :D 3y
Megabooks Glad you enjoyed it! 3y
30 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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fredthemoose
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Thanks, @britt_brooke and @Megabooks for the motivation to move this up to the next slot on my TBR!

Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻 3y
britt_brooke Hoping to get this in my ears soon! 3y
24 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Tom has been with Bourdain‘s various projects since A Cook‘s Tour. Here, he shares some of the craziest shows he‘s directed as well as who Tony was. Tony sounded like a very lonely person, and I think Tom didn‘t see the scope of it until after his suicide. While the book is 90% funny, I couldn‘t help but reflect on the good and bad that fame brought. Now I‘m excited to get my had on the other book on Bourdain that came out! Tagged ⬇️ #audiobook

Megabooks Next in line at the library for this! 3y
GinaKButler His was one of the very few celebrity deaths that really affected me. I‘ll need to pick this book up! 3y
britt_brooke Thanks for tagging me! I hadn‘t heard of this one yet, but def checking it out. 3y
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Megabooks @GinaKButler same. He just had an incredible charisma. 3y
Megabooks @britt_brooke I think you‘d enjoy it! 3y
britt_brooke @GinaKButler @Megabooks Same for me, too. He felt so accessible. Like we all knew him personally. 3y
Kimberlone Heard a podcast interview with him and really want read this book now! Sounds like he has a really interesting perspective on Bourdain and the experience of producing the show over many years. 3y
Megabooks @Kimberlone he does have an interesting perspective. I hope you enjoy it! 3y
Megabooks @fredthemoose how was I not following when I see we like the same books?!? This was really good. I‘d recommend it since you‘re a Bourdain fan! 👍🏻😁 3y
fredthemoose It is on my list and will probably be next up! I also listen to Kitchen Confidential about once a year. It‘s like a movie I can rewatch and put on when I don‘t want to have to pay careful attention. ☺️ Definitely check out the other Bourdain book! 3y
Megabooks @fredthemoose yes!! I‘ve read KC 15 times! I also saw him speak in person before he died. I would‘ve loved to do the meet and greet but I was grad school broke. It was cool to see him in a small theater though. 3y
fredthemoose Ah, yes… grad school broke… I remember those days well 😊 3y
Centique I loved him too. Really the only celebrity whose opinions and take on life interested me. So miss his shows and looking forward to reading this. 💕 3y
Megabooks @Centique 💯💯💯 3y
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Megabooks
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I‘ve got a great all nonfiction #NewReleaseTuesday this week!

Tagged ⬆️: Bourdain‘s longtime producer shares what it was like to film with him around the world.

Tagged ⬇️: A Pulitzer Prize winner looks at what happened to a town when the major industrial plant closed.

Tagged ⬇️: An impulse hold. A TV star writes about how crafting has kept her sane. #relatable

Have a great week everyone!

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Sara_Planz
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Big thanks to Hachette Books for sending this to me. Anthony Bourdain is missed every day and I‘m looking forward to reading this book.

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