Crash and Burn

By Artie Lange

Crash and Burn - Artie Lange
  • Release Date: 2013-10-29
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 467 Ratings

Description

Veteran comedian Artie Lange turns an unflinching eye and his signature wit on his perilous descent into drug addiction, life-threatening depression, and ultimately, his recovery, in the follow-up to his hilariously raw debut, the #1 New York Times bestseller Too Fat to Fish.

At a high point in his career, Artie Lange played a sold-out show in Carnegie Hall and totally killed—yet during his standing ovation, all he could think of were the two bags of heroin in his pocket. In the midst of a deep, self-destructive depression, addicted to heroin and prescription drugs, he lashed out at everyone around him—from his fellow cast members on The Howard Stern Show, to celebrity guests, to his longtime friends, and even his own family.

By turns dark and disturbing, hilarious and heartbreaking, and always drop-dead honest, the New York Times bestseller Crash and Burn lifts the curtain on Lange’s dangerous slide. For the first time, Artie reveals all: the full truth behind his now legendary Stern Show meltdown, his suicide attempt (which he relates in terrifying detail), surprising stints in rehab, and painful relapses. With the help and support of friends and family, Artie claws his way back, turning his life and career around. And despite his slip-ups, backslides, and permanent losses, Artie forges on.

Reviews

  • One of a kind.

    5
    By Badr95
    A truly spectacular and enlightening read. It’s very cathartic, and brought a great sense of relief. It can be quite dark, yes, but it serves a purpose. Thank you, Artie. I hope you’re well.
  • We all have demons

    5
    By PyuS
    It's a breath of fresh air to know that even the rich and famous deal with the issues that the blue collars have to deal with. Being an addict myself it helps to know others have the same struggles. Thanks Artie for sharing this, it couldn't have been easy to relive some of those situations. I reflect on the pain I have felt in my life reading your stories. Very brave of you.
  • Gripping

    5
    By Buckeye JB
    Hard to stop reading this book. Like seeing a car wreck, but not turning away. Artie has really brought to light everything that nearly took him to his grave, but also shows that redemption is always possible.
  • Decent book

    3
    By Sboy414
    This was a fairly entertaining book and it gave some good insight into what Artie's problems were and the demons he battled. There were some parts of the story that are redundant and times where he drones on and on about certain things or people, but overall it was good and there are some very funny parts. There are so many grammatical errors though. I've never seen anything like it in a published book. It's almost like someone did not proofread it. I would recommend it.
  • Not that good

    1
    By Doc JJB
    Meh!
  • So happy for Artie

    5
    By easyrider23
    This book is a must read for any Stern Show and or Artie Fan. Should also be a must read for anyone that has dealt with addiction, personally or family wise. Thank you Artie for being so open and honest. You could have given up and died but you keep fighting. You are and inspiration and I am so happy for you and your family. You deserve happiness. Keep up the good fight. I look forward to a night of laughs, the next time you play Long Island.
  • A beautiful look into the soul of a hilarious man, that has sadly battled drug issues...

    5
    By Warhawk2544
    I read Artie's "Too Fat to Fish" a few months ago, and was only somewhat familiar with Lange's work on the Stern show. I must say the first book was as funny and hilarious as anything I've read in years. I became fascinated by Artie's ability to craft jokes, and to just push his comedy in places I just can't explain. I was dumbfounded to hear about his suicide attempt, which is discussed in great detail in this book, and the absence that followed his career while 'getting his act together' was tragic as well. This tell all tale delivers a beautiful look into the mind of an addict, and into the mind of a hilarious comedian. Absolutely recommend to anyone, even if you aren't familiar with his work. Good too see you doing your thing Artie. Stay well.
  • Just plain too fat

    2
    By Dana's new BF
    With a mom and Sister who fought for years to sober him up, he writes of how meaningful it was for him to hear from Bruce Springsteen and other celebrities after he stabbed himself 9 times. He comes across ungrateful to those that suffered right along with him on his path to the bottom. Hope he stays sober, but much less of a fan now.
  • Dark dark place

    2
    By Oldfannow
    I always loved Artie on the Howard Stern show, read the first book and cried along with him. My heart broke for his pain over his fathers accident and death. But THIS book has left me feeling very sad for him and also a bit angry at his actions. I find myself not liking Artie nearly as much as I thought I did! As he says in this book, the fans who think they know him, obviously don't. That is the understatement of the year. My intention is not to cause additional pain to Artie, if he were to ever read this, but I must say to Adrienne... Head for the hills now!!! As Artie clearly states in this book, he is a damaged man, and I can't see that he will ever change. Unlike " too fat to fish" which had funny parts as well as heart warming ones....this book has none of that. I don't think I will be watching Artie on directv either. I see him in a whole new light....or dark.
  • Sadly Beautiful

    4
    By Mat R Place
    Yes, I am loyal fan of the HSS. Since 1981 @ WWDC 101, I was hooked. But without regard to my love of the show, Artie Lange was a tragic yet interesting character since his 1st appearance as a guest-buddy of Norm MacDonald. Stern leveled his focus on this broken comic immediately. Norm was promoting some awful project, but Stern saw his most cherished attribute of any guest in Artie within 20 mins. Artie was out-of-control. Stern salivated. Rightly so, I might add. It's all a part of compelling radio. This book is an extended epilogue of just how out of control a human can get. Including any of us.
  • A book that helped me

    5
    By Pearljamn
    First , I don't read books... Maybe 3 or 4 in my life so i can't say I'm a professional book critic. I read this book in about 4 days because it was so tuff to put it down. I purchased it because i wanted to see what happened to Artie from the inside. And boy did it ever describe that in detail ....but what I did not expect was how I related to the book. I'm blessed in many ways such as Artie and I'm no drug addict but I fight many of the same demons as Artie and seeing him pull through it gave me hope that it will for me too.
  • Great read

    5
    By Tugyubbvyv
    Artie is a great story teller.
  • Better than too fat to fish ??

    5
    By Golden showers !!
    Better than too fat to fish ?? On the 5th chapter and yes so far it is funny as ever and full of great stories this is the best book I have read so far
  • Happy Artie made it out alive

    4
    By Michele - Naperville
    As a loyal Stern fan and wanting answers from Howard about the details of what happened to Artie. I know think what Howard did was the best thing he could have done. Not Howard's story to tell. I appreciate Artie's honesty in this book and was very sad reading this. I knew a few addicts and couldn't understand why they are such such selfish pigs and how they can tear their families apart. Artie could have had everything and everyone loved him, why do this??? Heroine? Just horrible what he put his mom and sister through. The book explains a lot and listening to the show at the time and hearing the craziness from him. Why do they stand up gigs and so tired? Just focus on the show and writing. He is such a great storyteller and I was deeply moved by this book. Angry but happy he made it and sharing it with the world. Maybe he can save some from drugs with his story. Please stay sober and continue to make people laugh.
  • Copy Editor Should be fired...

    3
    By bigtwofive
    Absurd number of errors.
  • Crash and Burn

    5
    By Des25
    This was an amazing trip to take with Artie. I've been a long time fan since his debut on Howard Stern. The book is brutally honest and sad with a happy ending. When Artie left Howard's show we were left hanging without closure. I am so happy he shared with us what happen. The book is personal, shocking and forthcoming. We love you Artie, God bless
  • Thanks Artie

    5
    By JaxMomy
    Dearest Artie, Yeah, we all miss you terrible on Stern, but at least now we can understand why. Thanks for coming clean and getting clean, both for yourself and your fans. You're a good man and all your fans are happy to hear you're doing so well. Be good and take care of yourself. Best of luck to you and your future wife Adrianne.
  • Always a fan

    5
    By M. Kleshick
    Beside the amount of mistakes of the publisher, this was a truly honest book! Loved Artie on Howard Stern and still love him now. Anyone of us could criticize but are we living with the same demons as Artie? Great read to understanding. Good luck Artie Lange!! Loved the book!
  • What to do

    5
    By Mello1019
    I I recently lost my job with Cablevision after 26 years due to a reduction of workforce. I am a gay Italian lesbian 55 years old and I'm down and I don't know how to get back up. Your words in this book were powerful to me I hope I have the courage to get it together and someday feel as good as you do, the book was worth the last $20 I had.