This book should be required listening for any aspiring restaurateur. The author is the partner of famed chef Mario Batali, with whom he joined forces to create eateries that redefined American Italian cuisine. Bastianich shares pragmatic, down-to-earth facts about the hidden costs in restaurant operations. His grave monotone contrasts with his passion for creating memorable dining experiences while maintaining realistic overhead and food markup margins. He also reveals some of his personal history. Bastianich joined his parents, themselves successful restaurateurs, as they explored Italy and absorbed authentic recipes. He was in New York City to witness its culinary and wine evolution. We hear the lowdown on friends, foes, shady vendors, greedy dishwashers, and sour food critics while the duo's culinary vision of accessible Italian flavors and cuisine is granted reverent appreciation.
Pub Date: May 1, 2012
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781469201221
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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