Paula Deen: Paula Deen

There is an old joke here in the South about a man who gets up during a fire and brimstone sermon at church and starts to confess all of his sins. The minister is pleased with the results of his sermon and is urging the subject on by saying, "Amen brother, tell it all." Finally the confessing backslider confesses something so horrible that the preacher's jaw drops and he says, "Whoa, I don't believe I would have told that!" A few times while I was reading this book I sort of felt like that preacher because Paula tells it ALL! She starts out the book by saying that she is going to hide nothing and is going to be totally honest with her fans. She then proceeds to admit that she is a smoker and I thought that if this was her biggest darkest secret I was going to be bored before I got through with this book. Well in true Southern fashion she was just serving up a light appetizer because there was much more to come. The much more I'm not going to give away but take it from me, Paula has been cooking in more rooms than the kitchen. Beyond the secrets though this is a warm and endearing book that is filled with Southern slang and humor. This is the story of the average Southern girl who grows up watching her mother and grandmother cook but never dreams that cooking will be her ticket to the big time. This is the story of a girl who marries too young, loses her parents not long after that and ends up in the having to find a way to support her family. There are dark times when she has to deal with family problems and mental illness and there are times when most people would have just given up but this is also a love story with a happy ending. If you take this roller coaster ride with Paula you will laugh with her and you will cry with her but most of all you will be pulling for this Steel Magnolia from South Georgia. She had some help writing this book but for the most part these are obviously her words and her thoughts and both come at you with a deep drawl. She talks about her personal life, her family and her business adventures and from start to finish this is one fascinating book. The story of how she and her sons brought the Bag Lady to life and how together they built what amounts to a food empire is truly the stuff of legend and her reaction to Michael after their first meeting will have you rolling on the floor. This is quite frankly one of the best and most honest autobiographies that I have ever read and I have read more than my share of them. No fan of things Southern should miss this book.

Not many people can speak with brutal honesty about the events in their lives, and fewer will give others an opportunity to respond. Paula Deen does both in this book (you'll see). Honestly, I read this book in snippets, because I read better that way. And with this book, reading chapters out-of-order doesn't ruin any surprises. While Paula (and Sherry)'s style of writing jumps around the time periods occasionally, it is hardly an ADD read. Having watched Ms. Deen's cooking show on Food Network, I could even hear her speaking the words (probably because it is written more in the accurate Southern dialect than "cleaned up"). I won't say too much because I believe everyone who wants to read this should experience the book for themselves. Don't expect a cookbook here, although a few other recipes are shared in different aspects of time. Do expect a thoughtful, inspiring book of the life of a woman who has had more ups and downs in her life than most uppity squeaky religious folk. What impressed me the most was how she transformed the lemons into lemonade and put her faith AND grace to work. We should all have 1/10 of her courage through the best and worst of our own lives.

What is it that makes us all fall in love with Paula Deen, that Savannah queen in the kitchen with the recipes that ooze with butter and mayo? I can't find a reason not to love her. She's a slap in the face of honesty, with a cup full of love, a dash of humor, a sprinkle of wisdom, all rolled up into a pretty recipe loaf baked at 350 degrees of yumminess. First, you have to appreciate that she is a true southern cook, and who doesn't like good ole southern food? Second of all, she has a background story of struggling to make ends meet with two sons, working 9 to 5 in a bank, scared to go out in public, and starting her own business in the kitchen in her middle-age years. Yeah, it's a story we've all heard before, but hers is 100% honest and true. And lastly, she cooks up recipes that anyone can do, and they are recipes that you want to try, not a recipe you throw in a box and plan to cook some day (but probably never will). Remember those over-the-top chefs from years ago that used ingredients you had never even heard of, cooking up dishes that required hundreds of dollars, gallons of sweat, hours of nail biting, prep work, and probably lots of crying? Paula is definitely not one of those cooks. People appreciate her as a person because they can relate to her on all sides of her life. She's one of us. If you are a Paula Fan, from her cookbooks to her shows, there's a lot in this book that you've read or seen before. But there is a lot that you will be learning for the first time on these very pages as Paula reveals more about herself and who she is, which will make you appreciate Paula even more. She is truly inspiring, in and out of the kitchen.

I first saw Paula Deen's show on the Food Network channel three years ago and it was a thrill! Having been raised by Southern parents and growing up with black eyed peas, pecan pie, fried catfish and lots of butter it was amazing to both see and hear her warm roots and cooking talent grace my television set. I just received her book in the mail today and didn't put it down until I finished it - it is a MUST READ. Paula is both a blessing and inspiration on earth, she is candid, blunt, sometimes even downright ugly but truthful, warm and funny. You'll love her book so much you will be wanting to pass it on to your friends and family, please do there are even recipes included in the book.

I received my copy of Paula's new book yesterday afternoon and could not put it down until I read the last page. The story of Paula's life is incredible. It will bring you laughter, tears and the courage to face anything by having a sense of humor and holding those you love close to your heart. She also discusses her battle with Agoraphobia, the fear of going outside away from home. I could relate to her pain as I suffered from this illness from the age of 19 while in college. It comes out of nowhere and you are certain you will die. Ironically, the television show she mentions was seen by my parents and I received the help I needed to go on with my life successfully. I hope those who suffer will gain courage and wisdom from Paula's words and seek help...it can be managed and life can be wonderful as Paula demonstrates. Well done Paula! I wish I could give your book 10 stars! The New Deen Bros. Cookbook is also magnificent!!! Many thanks! I love your TV shows, DVD's, Cookbooks and Magazine. HR Los Angeles, CA