history / Audiobook and Book Reviews by Audiothing

The Riviera Set: Mary S. Lovell. 4 Stars

Monday, 12 December 2016

Author: Mary S. Lovell

ISBN: 9781408705223

Category: History

Format: Paperback / softback

Publication Date:08-11-2016

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Imprint: Little, Brown

Pages: 320

Source: Hachette Australia
4 Stars

Publishers Summary

A portrait of high society in the twentieth century, told through the stories of the guests of Maxine Elliott and Prince Aly Khan at the Chateau de l'Horizon in Cannes.

The Riviera Set is the story of the group of people who lived, partied, bed-hopped and politicked at the Chateau de l'Horizon near Cannes, over the course of forty years from the time when Coco Chanel made southern French tans fashionable in the twenties to the death of the playboy Prince Aly Khan in 1960.

At the heart of this was the amazing Maxine Elliott, the daughter of a fisherman from Connecticut, who built the beautiful art deco Chateau and brought together the likes of Noel Coward, the Aga Khan, the Windsors and two very saucy courtesans, Doris Castlerosse and Daisy Fellowes, who set out to be dangerous distractions to Winston Churchill as he worked on his journalism and biographies during his 'wilderness years' in the thirties.

After the War the story continued as the Chateau changed hands and Prince Aly Khan used it to entertain the Hollywood set, as well as launch his seduction of and eventual marriage to Rita Hayworth.

Mary Lovell tells her story of high society behaviour with tremendous brio and relish, and this book has all the charm and fascination of her bestselling The Mitford Girls and The Churchills.

Review

This book, by renowned biographer Mary S. Lovell is not, she tells us, a biography, but about a house and of those who were entertained within its walls.

It is written in three parts, the first being an account of the early years of Jessie Dermot:

Jessie Dermot, by dint of her beauty, talent and sheer determination, transformed herself into the fabulously rich queen of high society Maxine Elliot.

At her beautiful Chateau de l'Horizon Maxine entertained princes and politicians; the incredibly rich; the cream of high society, and the glitterati of those times.

The second part features the 1930s, the high days of Maxine’s reign at the Chateau de l'Horizon

What fascinated me is what some of these people got up to in the privacy of the Chateau! The chapter entitled “Courtesans and Assignations” is a real eye opener. Take Daisy Fellowes for instance, described as being “rich as Croesus” she thought nothing of spending thousands of pounds on a dress. Her secret to livening up a party was to add benzedrine (an amphetamine) to the punch!

The third part features the days of the war and the changes that took place post-war. Particularly interesting to me was the account of the return to Britain of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, sensitively organised by Winston Churchill.

Following the death of Maxine and the eventual return of peace, things changed at the chateau, it was purchased by the Prince Aly Khan. There is a lovely account of his wedding to Rita Hayworth, the chateau providing a sumptuous venue for the lavish affair.

This book is highly readable and enjoyable with a good balance between the deliciously gossipy and the factual.

Highly recommended.

Review copy provided by Hachette Australia

Cuba! Recipes and Stories from the Cuban Kitchen 5 Stars

Sunday, 18 September 2016

By Jody Eddy, Dan Goldberg, Andrea Kuhn

Hardcover: 256 pages

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Publication Date: September 20, 2016

ISBN-10: 1607749866

ISBN-13: 978-1607749868

Source: NetGalley / Ten Speed Press

Publishers Summary:

Cuba continues to captivate visitors with its vibrant culture, colorful cities, and incredible cuisine.Cuba! explores the magic of this country through recipes and stories that will set taste buds on fire and delight even the most well-seasoned traveler.

Review

What a fabulous read! Cuba! takes cookbooks to a higher level, giving as it does so much more than recipes.

I enjoyed learning a little of the history of Cuba and the effects of the strict rationing which gave rise to The Paladares, private restaurants. Once illegal because, by taking advantage of black market products, they provided relief from the rationing for those who could afford it.

I was surprised to read of the proliferation of organoponicos (organic urban gardens) which have been so successful in providing food for city dwellers, and are now copied worldwide. An interesting concept and well worth looking up.

Oh and the recipes, I appreciate how both the original recipes and the "gussied up" recipes are both given, there can't be a more staple meal than rice and beans, but with a few tasty additions who wouldn't appreciate a plateful of congri? There's a whole raft of wonderful recipes in this book to try, and I can't wait to get going on some of them.

The authors also include a few anecdotes about the Cuban people themselves, allowing us a brief insight to their daily lives. The illustrations are gorgeous, my favourite being the Cuban Pantry.

I would like to express my appreciation to the authors for producing this outstanding book, so entertaining, so informative and so beautiful.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for an unbiased review

About the Authors (via Amazon)

Dan Goldberg is an award-winning commercial photographer specializing in food photography. His work has been recognized by the London International Advertising Awards and he’s been listed as Archive’s Best 200 Advertising Photographers. When not taking photographs, you can find him seeking out the best food and drink in town, fly-fishing, and traveling the world with his wife, Casey and daughter, Dylan.

Prop stylist and art director, Andrea Kuhn’s work has appeared in national magazines and ad campaigns, as well as numerous cookbooks, including The Girl in the Kitchen, the James Beard-nominated Spiaggia, Cookie Love and Fat Rice. When not on set, you can find Andrea perusing flea markets (near and far) looking for that perfect prop, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and hanging at the dog park with her doodle, Finley. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Jody Eddy is a food writer and the author of Come In, We're Closed and the IACP Award-winning North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland. She is also the former editor of Art Culinaire. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, Jody has cooked at Jean Georges, Tabla, and The Fat Duck. She lives in Chicago where she enjoys running, gardening, and planning tomorrow’s next culinary adventure.

Available from BOOKTOPIA and AMAZON

The Next Elvis. Sun Records

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Written by: Barbara Barnes Sims
Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett
Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-29-15
Publisher: University Press Audiobooks
An American institution, Sun Records has a history with many chapters: its Memphis origins with visionary Sam Phillips, the breakthrough recordings of Elvis Presley, and the studio's immense influence on the sound of popular music. But behind the company's chart toppers and legendary musicians there exists another story, told by Barbara Barnes Sims. In the male-dominated workforce of the 1950s, 24-year-old Sims found herself thriving in the demanding roles of publicist and sales promotion coordinator at Sun Records. Sims's job placed her in the studio with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and other Sun entertainers, as well as the unforgettable Phillips, whose work made the music that defined an era. Her disarming narrative ranges from descriptions of a disgraced Jerry Lee Lewis to the remarkable impact and tragic fall of DJ Daddy-O Dewey to the frenzied Memphis homecoming of Elvis after his military service. Collectively, these vignettes offer a rare and intimate look at the people, the city, and the studio that permanently shifted the trajectory of rock 'n' roll. ©2014 Barbara Barnes Sims (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks
Review
A woman working at an influential level in the music business, Sun Records no less, and in the 50s! Just the seeing names of the stars was enough to attract me to this book. Sadly though, what could have been an exciting read turned out to be a tad disappointing.
All the information I wanted is there, but it reads like a rather boring history, which is great if that's all you want. I didn't get any sense of the vibe of those times, I had wanted to live it through the authors retelling, but that just didn't happen for me.
To summarise: Excellent source of historical detail but a very dry account of an interesting time in the popular music industry. Disappointing.
Narrator
Lee Ann Howlett did a darned good job considering the somewhat emotionless and dry story she had to relate, I doubt anyone's ability to make this sound interesting. Good job Lee Ann!
This audiobook was provided by the narrator. In return, this is my honest review