My Dinner of Herbs [Hardcover]

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

A star of two well-remembered television series, "The FBI" and "77 Sunset Strip," Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. looks back on the many different roads he has traveled in his lifetime and recreates his most memorable experiences in the prose of a true stylist. The son of two legendary musical talents, the violinist Efrem Zimbalist and the operatic soprano Alma Gluck, Efrem Jr. grew up on an estate in the Connecticut countryside. Long before he was a recognized actor, Zimbalist broke a show business barrier as coproducer of Gian Carlo Menotti's operatic double bill, The Medium and The Telephone, on Broadway. Its critical and (surprising) commercial success led to Zimbalist's coproduction of Menotti's next opera, The Consul, also on Broadway and also with gratifying results, including the Pulitzer Prize.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions; 1st Limelight Ed edition (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879109882
• ISBN-13: 978-0879109882
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,526,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate, engaging portrait of a life well lived, October 14, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Dinner of Herbs (Hardcover)

My Dinner Of Herbs is the personal and engaging memoir of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., the son of renowned soprano Alma Gluck and the acclaimed violinist Efrem Zimbalist. His own career included work in the theater, talent as a producer, a well-deserved Pulitzer Prize for "The Consul" (which he produced with Chandler Cowles), as well as numerous television specials and series. My Dinner Of Herbs is a thoroughly delightful and entertaining memoir packed with a informed and informative personal view of the Hollywood entertainment business, anecdotes of unforgettable people, and the memorable challenges that mark life, ranging from Efrem Zimbalist Jr.'s hard work to earn a Yale degree, to his military service in World War II. A first-rate, engaging portrait of a life well lived, My Dinner Of Herbs is very highly recommended reading which is especially recommended to those with an interest in Hollywood autobiographies and memoirs.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More to tell..., August 24, 2009

By 

Linda Love (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Dinner of Herbs (Hardcover)

I have been a fan of Efrem Zimbalist since childhood watching 77 Sunset Strip and The FBI. He has had an astonishing career considering he didn't even go to Hollywood from the New York theatre until well into his 30s, an age when most aspiring actors are washed up!
"My Dinner of Herbs" is a light and entertaining read in the genre of books by the old time movie stars. It tells a lot of fun stories but holds the reader at arms length from Mr. Zimbalist's soul.
We know from his writing that he is not just a pretty face but is in fact highly intelligent with a vocabulary that sent me to the dictionary several times and I have made my living as a journalist! Not only is he erudite, he is clearly a man who enjoys adventure.
However, everything in the book is a light story. When he talks of the death of his first wife Emily from cancer at an early age he is almost as detached as he is describing working with luminaries such as Errol Flynn. Efrem leaves a lot of questions unanswered for his fans. Among them:
1) What did he find so special about his first wife that made him decide to marry her?
2) Who cared for his children after his first wife's untimely demise?
3) Why did he marry his second wife and what was it like for her to raise his children when she was apparently very young before they had Stephanie?
4) He was single in Hollywood for some time after divorcing his second wife yet the divorce is NEVER mentioned in the book. Why did they divorce and what was it like to be one of the best looking single actors in the world in a land of beautiful movie stars?
5) How did he become a Christian? I always thought he became a Christian while watching Trinity Broadcasting Network but he mentions that his famous Russian Jewish (I believe) parents were Christian. That's a story in itself since they were apparently "Jews for Jesus!"
6) He was once quoted as saying that getting gigs is all about "politics" in Hollywood. How did he perceive the political situation's impact on his career both negative and positive as a Republican Born Again Christian?
7) He makes a reference to his oldest daughter Nancy that leads the reader to believe she is a lesbian. How does he feel about that and does he think the tragic death of her mother when she was a baby had an impact?
8) How did he influence his daughter Stephanie's successful television acting career (Remington Steele) and how did he feel about her taking up the acting profession?
9) He mentions his son Skipper but tells us almost nothing about him or his sisters.
Also, after reading the book I don't understand Efrem's biblically referenced title "My Dinner of Herbs." It looks like he is a man who was literally born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has turned that spoon into a silver shovel as he has accomplished much with his long career in the fiercely competitive world of movie and television acting. It seems like his "dinner" went from "dinner" to a "banquet" in life!
I think there is room for a sequel to this book from his heart telling us all he has learned from his triumphs and tragedies.--A sincere fan, Linda Love

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read, November 3, 2006

By 

Lois Surmi (Durango CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Dinner of Herbs (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. I just love Efrem anyway but never knew much about his life story. I thought it gave an insightful look in to Efrem's past. My only problem was that it was too short. I would have loved a bit more details on his personal life. What a gentleman he is, and a wonderful role model for young people especially in this day and age.