Cooked in LA: I Shot for the Stars and Hit Bottom [Hardcover]

Paul Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

Paul Cook had everything going for him—he was young, good looking, had a successful career in radio, a lovely wife, and loving parents—and yet one night he found himself in a near-catatonic state caused by ingesting too much ketamine or "special K," on the floor of a St. Louis bar. This autobiography details Paul's voracious appetite for drugs and alcohol—exemplified by the search for an unobtainable buzz through morning to night binges—that lead to his near fatal descent. With an obsession for celebrity culture and seeking approval and validation, he moves to LA only to find more opportunities for abuse. Just weeks before the birth of his first child, Paul hits rock bottom, admits to his wife and parents that he is out of control, and begins to put his life back together. With wry humor and great insight, Paul Cook chronicles his plunge to the depths of addiction and his return to the Midwest city where he first found success.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After a frightening brush with ketamine-induced paralysis, radio host Cook resolves to change his life and move to Los Angeles in the hope of finding success in the entertainment industry and escaping his demons. Cook quickly finds a weekend radio job at a popular Los Angeles radio station, but overall success eludes him as he flounders as a temp at FX television station, flubs an interview with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and struggles working as a production assistant for a friend. Dogged by his substance-abuse problems, Cook finds everyone from neighbors to co-workers offering him a variety of drugs. When he’s offered a job at a station in St. Louis, he decides to head back east; but his drug and alcohol use only intensifies—until his wife becomes pregnant and Cook realizes he’s going to have to make an effort to save himself if he’s going to live to see his child born. An eye-opening look into both the difficulties of starting out in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and the psyche of a chronic drug user. --Kristine Huntley

Review

"An eye-opening look into both the difficulties of starting out in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and the psyche of a chronic drug user."  —Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kunati Inc. (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601641931
• ISBN-13: 978-1601641939
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ten years ago Paul Cook made it his personal goal to simply make as many people as possible feel great about being alive. Through his struggles Paul learned that, "True success and significance comes from feeling right about yourself." Since then Paul Cook has carried that message as an award winning radio personality, TV host and the author of the Floyd and the Future Frog children's series of books and author of the memoir, Cooked in LA.

Paul frequently speaks to groups about bullying and substance abuse. Paul believes that changing the drinking and drugging culture in our schools is the only way to tackle the problem that is claiming so many great minds from our generation today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cooked in LA by Paul Cook, April 14, 2009

By 

PDC "Retired Educator" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cooked in LA: I Shot for the Stars and Hit Bottom (Hardcover)

Paul Cook has captured through first-hand knowledge the effect of medication abuse and the impact on his life and family. The anecdotal stories and the life experiences are heart rendering. The support of a wife and family are intregal to his survival and now his success as a
St. Louis television personality and a radio personality in our community is evidence of his will to overcome.

Highly recommend that this be a book for all to read...both young and old will relate to this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cooked in L.A., November 16, 2009

By 

David Craig "David Craig" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cooked in LA: I shot for the stars and hit bottom (Volume 2) (Paperback)

"Cooked in L.A." is Paul Cook's story of getting a media career going and getting a marriage going, while facing down the demons of booze and drugs.

While the book focuses on Paul's battles with addictions, this is not a downer book. It has entertaining stories of Paul's move to Los Angeles and his work with Fox TV network and KIIS-FM radio. He rubs shoulders with some well-known individuals including movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Later, after moving back to St. Louis, Paul returns to L.A. for Grammy Awards remote broadcasts and has memorable encounters with Sean Penn and Hunter S. Thompson, among others.

Throughout the book, Paul shares details of his desire to give up booze and drugs---all the while using and abusing substances at an amazing pace. It's a tough road that reaches a happy destination.

I recommend this book to anyone with addiction problems (or a family member of someone with an addiction). I also recommend "Cooked in L.A." to anybody who enjoys media stories and behind-the-scenes celebrity tales.

This is a book to read and then---instead of storing on a shelf---to pass along to someone who might benefit from reading it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul's story hits home, October 1, 2009

By 

Tim "Tim" (Harrisonburg, VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cooked in LA: I Shot for the Stars and Hit Bottom (Hardcover)

Paul and I worked together in St. Louis at Y98 in what became my last year of using. We can relate in so many ways as we were both radio personalities who are alcoholics and drug abusers (yes, the disease never leaves you...you can only gain sobriety...which is everything). I left Y98 during May of this year, and had my last drink and non-prescribed drug on June 3rd. Paul is a truly gifted personality, so it's no surprise that he was able to write his story in such a compelling, witty and engaging manner. At times while reading I was shaking my head and saying to myself that if you substitute Vegas and "Tim" for St. Louis and "Paul", that you would have my story as well. I encourage you to pick up this book whether or not you know someone who is abusing, you're abusing yourself, or you're a non-user. You may run into someone who is and reading any story from the perspective of someone who has used is worth more than the advice you can get from a specialist. That's the entire basis of 12 step programs, and I am in full support of that opinion. It has kept me sober for 4 months as of today, and that's the longest I've been sober since age 21. I know that the disease will always be with me, and it's one day at a time. I'm thankful that Paul got the help he needed, and I'm blessed that I was able to find it as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.