Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

"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.

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.

Paul Cook has written candidly about his addictions to booze and drugs. Happily, he has managed to overcome those addictions and become a successful on-air personality on Y-98 radio in St. Louis and a morning news traffic reporter on KMOV television (also in STL).

During his journey Paul has entertaining encounters with Sean Penn, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ryan Seacrest, Hunter S. Thompson, Danny Bonaduce and others in Los Angeles. He writes of his efforts to make it in the media biz when he moved to LA. Later, he makes return visits to LA to cover awards shows and other events for Y-98.

If you are a person who may have overindulged in booze, pot, etc. in decades past, some of the episodes in this book may make your experiences seem pale in comparison. Paul's dependence on pills, smoke and drink were frightening to him even as he continued using.

I appreciate Paul's honesty in telling his tale. I appreciate his love and concern for his wife throughout his ordeal. I appreciate the humor in some of the celebrity stories. I appreciate the fact that while Paul acknowledges his faith, he does not overwhelm me with a religious message.

This is an entertaining book for those who enjoy inside media stories and an inspirational book for persons who are dealing with addictions right now (and their family members).

In his stream of consciousness writing style, Paul Cook takes the reader through his post college struggle to become an adult. His honesty enables you to care about the destructive road he is traveling as his humanity allows you to see yourself in him. He writes for a generation of people that had charmed childhoods only to struggle in the face of real life. The most refreshing aspect of the book is that he accepts all of the blame for his own decisions. I read it in one sitting and feel that it is a book that can spark serious conversations with your children or anyone that you love and feel might be struggling.

Fantastic book. Very open and honest. Really shows you can turn your life around after drugs and alcohol. A must read for anyone. Interesting to read being based on the city where I live. Thanks to Paul and his family for sharing such personal experiences with us.

I have 3 young kids and found it hard to put the book done!Great read and brutally honest about Cooks life and how he is recovering from his addiction. You can see his personality shining though the entire book. As you read you realize that he is just an everyday person and the stuff that he went through is real and not fictional. I highly recommend it to all.

Great book. When we got it we stayed up reading it all night. Could not put it down.

I couldn't put the book down - Paul Cook's story pulled me in! The book is inspiring and full of hope and humor -a true reflection of the man that wrote this book. I am grateful for his honesty and for sharing what he has been through!!

This is a real book written from a real perspective, so it is easy to read, funny, and inspiring.

I would suggest everyone to read this book - even if you don't struggle with addiction. It gives you a perspective of the struggles that others go through and how one man turned his life around.

Paul Cook has written a poignant memoir of his life and times with drug abuse. His earnestness in telling the tale belies his personal charm, and his honesty is refreshing. The stories contained in the book do not glamorize what he has been through, instead they show how big of a toll drug use took on Paul's life.
I would recommend this book highly.