The Other Great Depression: How I'm Overcoming, on a Daily Basis, at Least a Million Addictions and Dysfunctions and Finding a Spiritual (Sometimes) Life [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Richard Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2008

At the age of 44, renowned comedian Richard Lewis found himself on a gurney in the ER, toxic with alcohol, and hallucinating from excess cocaine use. The same neuroses and dysfunctions that had been the basis for his successful stage persona and inspired his best material had, it seemed, turned on him. How he got there, how he finally got on the road to recovery, and how he copes with being Richard Lewis sober on a daily basis are the subjects of this very funny, deeply honest, inspiring, but very untreacly book. USA Today called it candid and inspirational.... A journey through Lewis' personal Inferno to eventual salvation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This stunning autobiography by comedian Lewis is an intriguing account of his dysfunctional career and addictive personality, focusing particularly on his drug and alcohol problems. Lewis narrates with the same unsentimental, straightforward, and hilarious manner that he does on stage, though much of the story is far from funny. The result is an incredibly candid discussion about the demons of abuse that have plagued the celebrated career of this self-deprecating comedian. Lewis's inspiring message and clear-cut voice make for addictive listening. A Public Affairs paperback (Reviews, Jan. 1, 2001). (Aug.)
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Review

This stunning autobiography by comedian Lewis is an intriguing account of his dysfunctional career and addictive personality, focusing particularly on his drug and alcohol problems. Lewis narrates with the same unsentimental, straightforward, and hilarious manner that he does on stage, though much of the story is far from funny. The result is an incredibly candid discussion about the demons of abuse that have plagued the celebrated career of this self-deprecating comedian. Lewis's inspiring message and clear-cut voice make for addictive listening. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Phoenix Audio; Unabridged edition (August 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597772100
• ISBN-13: 978-1597772105
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,209,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Lewis on Lewis by Lewis is pretty extraordinary, June 27, 2009

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The Explorer "James" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Great Depression: How I'm Overcoming, on a Daily Basis, at Least a Million Addictions and Dysfunctions and Finding a Spiritual (Sometimes) Life (Audio CD)

Man oh man. I have dug Lewis' work for decades and of course he and Larry David are a great odd couple on Curb your Enthusiasm but I never got around to reading his book. I'm not an addict, at least I don't think so, with booze and drugs--maybe sugar, but was told by so many friends who are also fans and somein recovery that a great deal of the book was hip, heart-breaking and hilarious but mainly profoundly honest. So, I decided to get it. I thought it would be cool to actually hear him read it in his own voice. I was blown away. It really did read (or sound) oftentimes sort of like a jazzy, "On the Road" type style and I have lent the audio to many pals and I have to think those who like Lewis' work will be blown away as well as i was by his obvious need to bare his soul and help other alcoholics and addicts. I hope he writes more. I saw hi mon stage in concert and he riffs in a funny way about his myriad of addictions but this is a whole other ballgame. It really is a courageous book. He's one of the most fearless humorists I have ever heard. Definitely worth a listen. He's something else.