Author(s): Paula Deen, Sherry Suib Cohen
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 304
Binding: Hardcover
Whether or not you like to cook, you'll likely enjoy this inspiring "rags to riches" story of the poverty-stricken, phobia-riddled housewife Paula Deen. I actually met her once, briefly back in 2001, before she was a big star. I had no idea she'd become a celebrity, and only saw her as the owner of a restaurant I really enjoyed in Savannah, GA (the now famous "Lady & Sons"). But she had an extra sparkle of life in her that struck me. Her story, candidly told in this autobiography, informs that sparkle greatly, giving you a good sense of what gives rise to it. I always tell clients one of the best things you can do is read the biographies of people you admire to see how they overcame their adversity. This lady has overcome quite a lot, and most of that adversity was within herself. She was her own worst enemy, and once she got out of her own way, she soared. Now one of the Food Network's biggest stars, entrepreneur, restaurateur and author Paula Deen says it best when she comments, "The harder I worked, the luckier I got." So too with us all. P.S. I recommend the audio version, in her own voice, words and classic Southern drawl. It's powerful.