The French Chef in America: Julia Child's Second Act

The great-nephew of American chef Julia Child (1912–2004) and coauthor of her memoir, My Life in France, Prud'homme picks up with Child's life where her memoir left off, after the publication of her seminal 1961 work, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Looking to create the next chapter in her career, Child began her foray into TV, which led to a number of different shows over the years. Child also undertook a second volume of French Cooking with friend Simone Beck. The lengthy process strained their relationship and eventually ended their collaboration. Constantly branching out in new directions, Child wrote many cookbooks, partnered with several famous chefs, hosted a segment on Good Morning America, and wrote for McCall's magazine. Throughout her career, Child's husband, Paul, worked with her on all of her projects and played a tremendous role in her achievements. Prud'homme's use of letters, interviews, and in-depth research deftly captures Julia's passionate personality and the evolution of her career and place in popular culture.