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An unprecedented behind-the-scenes view into the life of Anthony Bourdain from the people who knew him best 

When Anthony Bourdain died in June 2018, fans around the globe came together to celebrate the life of an inimitable man who had dedicated his life to traveling nearly everywhere (and eating nearly everything), shedding light on the lives and stories of others. His impact was outsized and his legacy has only grown since his death.

Now, for the first time, we have been granted a look into Bourdain’s life through the stories and recollections of his closest friends and colleagues. Laurie Woolever, Bourdain’s longtime assistant and confidante, interviewed nearly a hundred of the people who shared Tony’s orbit—from members of his kitchen crews to his writing, publishing, and television partners, to his daughter and his closest friends—in order to piece together a remarkably full, vivid, and nuanced vision of Tony’s life and work. 

From his childhood and teenage days, to his early years in New York, through the genesis of his game-changing memoir Kitchen Confidential to his emergence as a writing and television personality, and in the words of friends and colleagues including Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Nigella Lawson, and W. Kamau Bell, as well as family members including his brother and his late mother, we see the many sides of Tony—his motivations, his ambivalence, his vulnerability, his blind spots, and his brilliance.

Unparalleled in scope and deeply intimate in its execution, with a treasure trove of photos from Tony's life, Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography is a testament to the life of a remarkable man in the words of the people who shared his world.

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography by Laurie Woolever is an intimate and revealing portrait of the late chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain. Through interviews with over 100 of Bourdain's friends, family, and colleagues, Woolever paints a picture of a complex and fascinating man who was both brilliant and deeply flawed.

The book begins with Bourdain's early life in New Jersey. We learn about his difficult childhood, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, and his eventual discovery of his passion for cooking. We also hear from Bourdain's mentors, who helped him to develop his unique culinary style.

The book then follows Bourdain's rise to fame, from his early days as a chef to his success as a television personality. We hear from Bourdain's colleagues on his various shows, who describe him as a demanding but inspiring boss. We also learn about Bourdain's personal life, including his marriages, divorces, and struggles with depression.

In the final section of the book, Woolever explores Bourdain's death in 2018. She interviews Bourdain's friends and family, who try to make sense of his tragic suicide. We also hear from Bourdain himself, through his writings and interviews. In these passages, Bourdain reflects on his life and career, and he reveals his hopes and fears for the future.

Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography is a must-read for fans of Anthony Bourdain and for anyone interested in the world of food and travel. It is a deeply personal and moving portrait of a man who lived life on his own terms.