Cooked in LA

I Shot for the Stars, but Hit Bottom

By: Paul Cook

Narrated by: Paul Cook

From the outside, Paul Cook had everything going for him. He was young, had a successful career in radio, a lovely wife, and a sweet family. Yet, one night he found himself in a near-catatonic overdose caused by ingesting an abundance of ketamine.

This autobiography details Paul's struggle with anxiety and depression, causing a voracious appetite for drugs and alcohol exemplified by the search for an unobtainable peace that leads to his near fatal descent. Seeking mental health assistance in a variety of ways, Paul still can't find anything close to balance.

Outrageous interactions with Hunter S. Thompson, Sean Penn, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Ryan Seacrest thread a truly uncommon and uplifting story. With wry humor and great insight, Paul Cook chronicles the "conflict of mental illness" and its dangerous choices in real-time.

©2011 Paul Cook (P)2022 Paul Cook

Critic reviews

"Eye-opening". (Booklist Magazine)

Paul Cook’s Story and Voice is Life Transforming!

Paul Cook’s exceptional delivery exudes warmth, vulnerability, rawness, grit, and hope. His experience with the gut-wrenching cycles of anxiety and addiction and his recovery journey bring connection, awareness, and promise. Highly recommend!!!

What a come back!

If you want to hear how someone hit rock bottom and found meaning in life and turned their life around this is the book. The narration was great. Even though Paul had his downfalls there is a lot of humor to this book.

Paul’s courage to not give up and overcoming his addictions.

A very inspiring person who has fought many battles with addictions and cancer! As I live in St. Louis, I watch his broadcast daily and admire his communication with his coworkers and his audiences on the news. Also love his enthusiasm! Keep it up Paul!!