Noted biographer at Sullivan Center in Vernon Hills

Bob Spitz, American journalist and acclaimed author best known for his celebrity biographies, will present his new biography “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child” at noon Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive. Vernon Hills.

This event is free, but registration is required. Call (847) 362-2330 or visit webres.cooklib.org to register.

A complimentary French-inspired dessert will be available for all attendees and books for signing will be available for purchase courtesy of Lake Forest Bookstore.

In Spitz's new biography, “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child,” which coincides with what would have been her 100th birthday on Aug. 15, 2012, the Julia we know and love comes to life.

In painstaking detail, Spitz chronicles her life story while it celebrates the rich life of this culinary legend, television pioneer, and cultural icon. Both the author's admiration and Julia's larger than life personality shine through in this in-depth new account of her life.

The inspiration for this book began in 1992 when Spitz had the opportunity to travel with 80-year-old Julia for several weeks through Sicily. Many of the stories he tells clearly come from Julia herself, and he admits that he developed “a powerful crush on her.”

He describes her as being larger than life and full of all the personal traits one associates with her: straight talk, passion, encouragement, wit and insight.

Spitz has represented the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He is the author of “The Making of Superstars,” “Barefoot in Babylon,” “Dylan,” and “Shoot Out the Lights.”

His articles appear regularly in The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Condé Nast Traveler, Men's Journal, In Style, Esquire, and The Washington Post.

He is currently working with Graham Nash on the singer's memoir and will begin work in 2013 on a biography of President Ronald Reagan.