Customer Reviews

Marilyn, Are You Sure You Can Cook? He Asked

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Anybody in the business world or on the inside track of Los Angeles life knows who Marilyn and Harry Lewis are; their building of the Hamburger Hamlet dynasty is legendary. What makes this truly fascinating book come to life though, is the "true Marilyn" who jumps from the page. With many autobios, you can read it cover to cover and not know a whit more about the real person behind that public visage when you're done.

Not here. There's a lot more served up than some famous recipes and a few anecdotes; Lewis manages to capture the Zeitgeist of the time in which she and Harry lived and loved; a period of Show Business and Big Business colliding an L.A. full of fashion and film and some sad realities along the way.

I'd love to give details but I'm not blowing any surprises. Suffice to say the book is a surprise a mix of personal and public life, and every darn thing that happens when you're a woman with boundless talent and the energy of a high school sprinter. For instance, did you know that under a completely different name,in a completely different world, Marilyn Lewis was also famous for something that had nothing to do with her culinary crown? Double-famous in two different worlds: that's not luck. This is an extraordinary woman.

Marilyn Lewis's own peronal story is downright fascinating; from such humble beginnings she became the Grande Dame of Los Angeles's love for food, fashion, and passion. You can't put Lewis in a box.....her proven "wins" in evrything from film to filet mignon come with a story, a real story, about a real woman who was ahead of her time and made a lot of people plain catch up.

Written with the class you'd expect from one of the shining stars of Los Angeles social life, Marilyn tosses class and candor like a salad, and the result is a can't-put-it-down page turner.

I give this prize of a book my highest recommendation. The Marilyn Lewis you're going to meet in this book is probably not who you thought was on the menu. But I'd put her compelling voice and prolific humanity up against any creme brulee in town: Mrs. Lewis emerges like a creme brulee, in fact: a tough cookie and nobody's fool on the outside, and downright delicious, smooth and all class on the inside.

Give this book a read; it'll show you a Los Angeles (and a world) that may not even be possible anymore.....unless another Marilyn and Harry Lewis show up in town. For now, I'll take the originals....and they're both right here in plaintive sight. Enjoy the meal, and boy, does she know some of the juciest tidbits of Los Angeles's golden age. Enjoy, and don't forget to tip well.

MARILYN ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN COOK? HE ASKED
Every once in a while one comes across a book that's truly inspirational, and this one says it all. Marilyn Lewis takes you by the hand and thrusts you into the world of entertainment, excitement, movie stars, recipes, design, and family, all the while introducing us to her own style of prose. There are poignant moments, understated and wise, that speak volumes to the reader. This was not an easy road, and it was told honestly and with a rare sense of innocence, savvy and humor.We are given a personal tour of the thoughts and feelings of a true entrepreneur, and we learn that anyone wanting to achieve a modicum of success must take risks.I think that everyone SECRETLY wants to run a restaurant, and Marilyn shows us how to pull it off. And if that's not all...she makes a movie! Kidnapped? Yes! Disappointed? Many times! Survivor? You bet! This is not just a woman's story, but a benchmark for anyone who has a dream--and seeks the blueprints for success. A MUST READ! Take a much deserved bow, Ms. Lewis!

There's no reason to think a woman can't be the stereotypical cuddly, seductive female and a cutting edge feminist at the same time. Pick up a copy of Marilyn Lewis' autobiography "Marilyn, Are You Sue You Can Cook? he asked". You'll find her thoroughly capable of matching wits with the smartest CEO, achieve success in just about any undertaking and never lose that Je ne sais quoi that makes men want to really get to know the fascinating female who just crossed their path. It's an easy read and tells engaging anecdotes about show people, as well as others who are rich, famous and powerful. In addition, the reader learns how this gifted entrepreneur turned $3500 worth of hamburgers into $33 Million, became couturier to White House first ladies, was a college professor and successfully produced movies. It's a must for women who are proud of the achievements of one of their own and men who still daydream about that all-American girl.

This interesting memoir of a rags to self-made riches story not only tells a compelling tale but comes with a very pleasant surprise: Marilyn Lewis can not only cook and created designer clothing--she can write! Her style is uniquely her own-sparse yet colorfully descriptive, emotional without sinking into self pity, strong yet never harsh. Thank goodness Lewis did not fall prey to the temptation to hire a ghost writer. What a waste that would have been. As a result the reader is treated to her unique and inspiring story, made all the more enjoyable by a writing style that never ceases to entertain. Bravo.

I have know the Hamburger Hamlet Restaurants for years but never imagined how it all started. Marilyn and Harry started a little hamburger place and with their skill and very hard work built an empire. Marilyn is an amazing women and multi talented. Her receipes in the book are so great and I have tried some and they came out perfect. I didn't know she was a dress designer and knew nothing about her early background, but enjoyed all of it throughly. I gave it to my husband to read and he was so impressed that now I think he has a little crush on the amazing Ms M. From cover to cover it is delicious and now we know that she can write too!

Marilyn Lewis has written a very compelling, entertaining and personal book which chronicles the entrepeneurial successes of this exciting pair. This is not only fun reading, but it contains some of the best recipes around, which were kept closely guarded secrets at the Hamburger Hamlet chain for years. You should buy at least two of these books, one to keep and one to give to someone. I loved it and couldn't put it down. I finished it the day I purchased it.

July 30, 2003

I still love the book two years later! I have purchased many additional copies for my friends. As someone who grew up in the LA/Beverly Hills area, the Hamburger Hamlet was very much a part of my life. What an incredible book this turned out to be!! I recommend it very highly!!!!

NOSTALGIC, AMUSING AND TRUE TO LIFE ACCOUNT OF A VERY TALENTED & ACCOMPLISHED LADY AND THE HANDSOME HARD WORKING GUY WHO WORSHIPS HER (ALSO VERY TALENTED). THRU THE YEARS, I MADE THE ROUNDS OF MOST ALL THE HAMLETS, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL SUNSET LOCATION, AND MARILYN LEWIS' VIVID,CANDID AND MOST AMUSING TALES OF THE STAFF, FOOD, DECOR , & CLIENTELE MAKES FOR A MOST ENJOYABLE "CAN'T PUT IT DOWN" REVIEW FROM THIS SOURCE. I WELCOME A SEQUEL!!

"Marilyn, are you sure you can cook?" is the best written memoir I've ever read. What a fascinating life...told with humor, candidness, and an ability to put words together that makes one think Charles Dickens was whispering in her ear.

Even Horatio Alger could not have imagined a Life Story to equal that of Marilyn Lewis'. From humble beginnings, with all odds against her, she strove to succeed and take her rightful place in Society; and with husband, Harry, she fed the Hollywood Glitterati, as well as designing Wardrobes for the Movie Stars.

She is an original all the way, who provided meaningful, well paid employment for hundreds of Blacks, long brfore Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement.

And for the Cooks and those they feed, she gives us great Recipes from her Restaurants to tempt us. Her Onion Soup is a Classic.

I loved this book. Marilyn Lewis shows us what "reinventing yourself" really means, long before Madonna, Cher and all the rest. An entertaining, informative (great recipies) inspiring book. If you're thinking about doing something different with your life, read this book!