Crash and Burn

Like it or not, I'm one of Artie Lange's biggest fans. When he became the official replacement to Jackie Martling on the Howard Stern Radio show, I was hostile and repellant to say the least. I personally don't like big changes in my routine, and Howard's show was quite different when Artie first appeared. However, it was not long before I actually became a huge fan of the man.It was immediately apparent to me that the guy is downright funny, and I have long felt that we share some strange parallel experiences in life that made me really attracted to his humor and his intellect.I loved Too Fat to Fish, and for me buying this book was a no brainer since I felt that his departure from Howard's show went much too unexplained. Of course, I was aware of certain problems he was having. I could even tell on days when he was out of it.I noticed from Howard's show that Artie is an excellent story teller, so the fact that he has written two great books makes perfect sense to me. Not only has he had many mind blowing experiences in the entertainment industry, the manner of his story telling is second to none at grabbing my attention.I once had the pleasure of shaking his hand at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas when the Stern show went out there. I didn't bother him. He was very polite and when he saw my face light up, he extended his arm to shake my hand and said "How ya doin'?" I was thrilled and even though he's sure not to remember me, it was a genuinely meaningful moment for me.This book is a much darker blend of stories than Too Fat to Fish, but that doesn't bother me. I wanted an honest account of his leaving the Howard Stern show because it has always been such a sore spot for me personally as a fan the abrupt way that he left. I've never felt the same about the show after he left. I kid you not, I used to listen to Howard Stern every day all the time for well over 10 years. It doesn't matter what I was doing, if I could listen to the show, I was. I used to download it on the internet when Howard went off the airwaves in Denver, and also before I later subsequently subscribed to Sirius. I had to hear every spoken word of every episode.I can't even begin to underestimate the personal interest and passion that I've had reading this book. I have not idolized Artie for his darkness, but rather I have to a degree identified with it, and many of the experiences he recounts. In the Stern show mix, he became the "regular" guy to me, even though obviously he was not so regular. I don't suffer with substance abuse quite like Artie, but I've recognized my own addictive tendencies to know to stay away from certain things. I think this book stands out as something addicts might want to read to see that they are not alone in their helpless depravity. Nonetheless, just because I'm not living a comparable life of depravity doesn't mean that at times I've not gotten dangerously close to the edge of our human existence.This book affected me very deeply. In about 300 pages, I'd say that I probably cried like 30 times, and even more after putting it down and reflecting. I am embarrassed to say that I cried, but it's true. I have listened so much to Howard Stern's show that it would be impossible for me to not feel the deep impact of Artie's struggles as told in this book. Many times I was aghast at insane things that I never could have imagined, even though I had an accurate feeling that he wasn't doing well at times. Again, I could tell from listening to the radio show that he was struggling hard. I can only imagine how difficult it's been for the people close to him to watch his harrowing descent.I really hope that it's true that Artie has finally reached the point where things will be different.I loved every moment of this book. Quite frankly, this week Crash and Burn has been my own form of escapism used for entertaining my mind. Anthony Bozza does a great job at capturing precisely what Artie's persona feels like. The level of honesty in this book is incredible.If Artie ever comes to Denver to do standup, I'm there. I may even make it a special point to see him perform when I go back east for a holiday.I wish the dude the best, and I thank him for so many years of incredible entertainment and laughs.Thanks to Artie's mom and friends for not giving up on the guy. My heart is warmed to know that he has such devoted people around.Peace to Artie Lange!!! He's more appreciated by me as a stranger than he can ever possibly know.

As a long time fan of the Howard Stern show, I was well aware of Artie Lange's problems with drugs and alcohol even before reading his first book, Too Fat to Fish. I found that book a good read, although I found myself bored with some of Artie's stories that were rehashed from the show. As a knowledgable Stern fan, this book went into greater detail about Artie's mental and emotional state and taught me many things about his personality that I had not known beforehand. I found the behind the scenes stories to be, for the most part, informative and insightful, and sometimes even disgusting. One of the best stories included was his account of an embarrassing night at the playboy mansion, a hilarious tale that reminded me of how talented a story-teller Artie can be.This book covers the time period from after his first book came out in 2008 to the present day. During that time period, Artie Lange went through a personal hell, cycling through drug binges and withdrawals, constantly trying to dupe and outwit his friends and family so he could continue his destructive habits until it all came to a head in a most disturbing way. Some of this book is very hard to read, especially if you are a fan of Artie and wish to see him well. I actually saw Artie Lange when I went to a book signing for Too Fat to Fish in 2009, and can personally attest to the fact Artie looked totally out of it. At the time I had no idea how bad off he was.The book is a fantastic and highly emotional account of a man who lost everything due to his own demons, but some parts of the book made me a little frustrated. Even though this was written after his crash and burn, he doesn't seem very regretful for the horrible things he's done to himself and others. Sometimes he regrets his actions, but then a paragraph later he will defend them or even praise his own contentious and irresponsible behavior. In the book he also bashes many celebrities and normal people who, in my opinion, didn't deserve to be ridiculed in such a way. A sarcastic wit is what makes Artie's humor so great, but at some points it seemed to me like he was being too harsh, and that made me sympathize with him less.That aside, he does say nice things about some of his fellow comedians who have passed away such as Greg Giraldo and Mitch Hedburg, which I found very informative and nicely written. These comedians struggled with addiction and lost their battle. Their passings effected Artie deeply, and that hurt resonates with the reader in a profound way. It was in these passages where I felt he was being the most genuine.For fans of Artie Lange, this book is a must read. For fans on the outside, as a stand alone book of an addict who descends into an abyss of drugs and booze, the book is still effective. However, it does have a tendency to become redundant as he tells one too many stories of getting high on airplanes and his general disdain for flying. I did find his rituals of scoring drugs while keeping it a secret from his friends and family very intriguing.Overall, I must say I enjoyed this book more than Too Fat to Fish, and besides a few minor complaints I had a great time reading.

Even if you don't know Artie you have to buy this book. Most chapters are about great opportunities and his amazing family and he just keeps destroying both, because his an addict. But, as much as you want to hate him, he is telling these tales with great humour and you're always laughing. Except for the chapter he talks about his suicide attempt, this had me in tears, his poor mother. A painfully great book that I would recommend to everyone over 18.

Great biography and truly captivating from start to finish. It holds the reader on a roller coaster of emotions and highs and lows not knowing what to expect with each page turned but the one thing your guaranteed always is humour, love and warmth for Artie throughout with compassion throughout the book always.

Very interesting book, not quite as insightful as id like regarding the howard stern show but that can be expected.

Brilliant.

If “Too Fat To Fish” weren’t enough, Artie Lang brings us back for more.To the depths of depravity to hysterical heights, I could not put this book down for more than an hour at a time without trying to carve out more time from my day to tear through this book.You hit rock bottom with Artie, and crawl right back up again with his journey.Stay healthy, wealthy and strong Mr. Lange. Thank you for another page-turner :)