book data
605 ratings,
3.51
average rating, 188 reviews
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published
November 11th 2008
by Spiegel & Grau
binding
Hardcover, 320 pages
isbn
0385526563
(isbn13: 9780385526562)
description
Outrageous, raw, and painfully funny true stories straight from the life of the actor, comedian, and much-loved cast member of The Howard Stern Show
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avg 3.51
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in November, 2008
As a genius, I require highly intellectual stimulus to keep from getting bored. Fortunately The Howard Stern Show provides such stimulus and helps me think my genius thoughts. In this small way alone Howard Stern helps make the world a better place.
I was browsing on my Kindle a few nights ago and downloaded Too Fat To Fish on an impulse. It was between that and Shakespeare's comedies. I've read Shakespeare so many times that I decided to download the Lange.
I'm not sure wh...more
I was browsing on my Kindle a few nights ago and downloaded Too Fat To Fish on an impulse. It was between that and Shakespeare's comedies. I've read Shakespeare so many times that I decided to download the Lange.
I'm not sure wh...more
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Read in March, 2009
This was the worst autobiography I've ever read in my life. Artie Lange has lived a boring life, no different from any other loser alcoholic/addict. I was bored out of my mind the entire time and it took me 2 weeks to finish this because I kept putting it down. The only reason I stuck with it was because I kept thinking that it would have to get better!
The parts of the book where he describes vomiting and crapping all over himself are totally disgusting and absolutely unnecessary.
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The parts of the book where he describes vomiting and crapping all over himself are totally disgusting and absolutely unnecessary.
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Read in January, 2009
I probably wouldn't have read this but after hearing the travails of making the audiobook on the Stern show, I couldn't help but listen. Artie is a GREAT storyteller, but it definitely took him time to settle into reading. Good God! I think, what's this gonna sound like when Rev. Bob Levy takes over? Gary reads 2nd and it took me a while to remember that this was Artie's story and not Gary's because you get so used to the voices of the Stern show people. Rev. Bob was hilarious because he didn't ...more
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Read in June, 2009
Just resumed listening to this after a hiatus...
FINAL:
Artie is a classic conflicted addictive personality. Making and breaking promises, burning bridges, spending all his money recklessly, going into debt, disappointing everyone who loves him, nearly dying from OD's several times, going cold turkey then falling off the wagon, blowing career opportunities; laughing at himself and feeling sorry for himself and saying "fuck you" to everyone then realizing he was wrong. Overdri...more
FINAL:
Artie is a classic conflicted addictive personality. Making and breaking promises, burning bridges, spending all his money recklessly, going into debt, disappointing everyone who loves him, nearly dying from OD's several times, going cold turkey then falling off the wagon, blowing career opportunities; laughing at himself and feeling sorry for himself and saying "fuck you" to everyone then realizing he was wrong. Overdri...more
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Read in March, 2009
recommends it for:
no one really.
I heard Terry Gross interview Artie on Fresh Air, and he came across as such a sweet, self-aware, if screwed-up guy. I think that if I had "read" Too Fat to Fish as an audio book that same likable personality may have come across. But as I read it in print form, perhaps that is why I ended up being mostly frustrated and annoyed with his behavior. This was only worsened by the fact that right before I finished the book, I did a little online research to see what Artie is up to at the mo...more
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Read in January, 2009
So this book was recommended to me by one of my managers, a guy who really doesn't read and pretty much the last person I would ever expect to get a book recommendation from. I don't listen to Howard Stern and didn't know who Artie Lange was before starting this book. I went for it based on the recommendation.
I am glad I did. This memoir had a bit of everything. In many parts it had me laughing, loved the "Too Fat to Fish story." I cried ( a rarity for me) when he was talki...more
I am glad I did. This memoir had a bit of everything. In many parts it had me laughing, loved the "Too Fat to Fish story." I cried ( a rarity for me) when he was talki...more
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I knew a lot of these stories from listening to the "Howard Stern Show". However Artie gives more details that were previously unknown to anyone but himself. It made for an interesting read overall. I felt the book was very sweet at times and made me wish Artie would just get his shit together already. If you're a fan of Artie or the Howard Stern Show its worth the read.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
I liked this book! I really didn't know too much about Artie before I read the book so I didn't bore me at all. This book made me never ever want to do any type of drugs, not that I ever wanted to before, but this shit made it offical, just reading the chapter pig in shit was enough. He really is a great story teller and it was pretty funny, more then once I laughed out loud. Hopefully he comes out with another book and maybe actually cleans up! But I guess that wouldn't be too much fun to read ...more
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Read in December, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Read in December, 2008
Christ, what a fuck-up this guy is. Anybody who has listened to the Stern show probably already heard everything in this book. Anybody who doesn't listen to the Stern show probably isn't at all interested. It feels like co-writer Anthony Bozza was given the task to transcribe these stories from Artie telling them live on Stern. Artie's life can be summed up pretty simply. Here's the book in a nutshell:
"I had <good thing> going on, was doing better in life than I ever...more
"I had <good thing> going on, was doing better in life than I ever...more
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04/01/09
Rikki
is currently reading it
Read in March, 2009
Easy and entertaining read. The book is written mainly how Artie talks, which I find very refreshing. It reads as the much softer New York accent of North Jersey-ites living near larger cities, like Newark. These Jersey-ites often leave out conjugated verbs.
In contrast, the North Jersey SUBURBS have a much better education system and these Jersey-ites hardly have any accent at all. Unless, they leave the Tri-State area. Then all bets are off. YOU ARE FROM JERSEY or NEW YORK!
I come f...more
In contrast, the North Jersey SUBURBS have a much better education system and these Jersey-ites hardly have any accent at all. Unless, they leave the Tri-State area. Then all bets are off. YOU ARE FROM JERSEY or NEW YORK!
I come f...more
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12/24/08
Joy
is currently reading it
Read in December, 2008
The stories are crazy. I wouldn't want to be friends with Artie, but I think he's kind of a genius. He is a story-teller and the way he sees the world and himself in the world makes for him stumbling in to the main gist of some screwed up stories.
When in a diner parking lot in his dad's handicapped van, he ordered a deluxe from his new Brazilian friend because that's what he would have called a parallel order if he were in the diner.
Brilliant and then all the sorrow for humanity sets i...more
When in a diner parking lot in his dad's handicapped van, he ordered a deluxe from his new Brazilian friend because that's what he would have called a parallel order if he were in the diner.
Brilliant and then all the sorrow for humanity sets i...more
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Read in January, 2009
recommends it for:
stand-up comic memoirs
I was a little unsure when I received this book to review, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. Artie Lange, stand-up comic, actor, and a part of the Howard Stern show, did not sound like a book I would be able to get through. Yes, it was raw. Yes, it was crude, but certainly not to the extent I anticipated. In fact, this is a very personal, honest story of a man with many problems to overcome. Swinging back and forth between depression and paranoia, he is a perfect candidate for addiction o...more
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Read in April, 2009
Book Overview
This is the autobiography of Artie Lange -- perhaps best known as a member of The Howard Stern Show, which he joined in 2001. He was also on MADtv during the first season and has had roles in movies such as Dirty Work and Beer League. He is also a stand-up comedian who performs all over the country.
Born into a working-class Italian family in Union, New Jersey, Mr. Lange was a "typical" American kid -- obsessed with sports, girls ... and comedy. At age 18,...more
This is the autobiography of Artie Lange -- perhaps best known as a member of The Howard Stern Show, which he joined in 2001. He was also on MADtv during the first season and has had roles in movies such as Dirty Work and Beer League. He is also a stand-up comedian who performs all over the country.
Born into a working-class Italian family in Union, New Jersey, Mr. Lange was a "typical" American kid -- obsessed with sports, girls ... and comedy. At age 18,...more
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Read in April, 2009
A collection of anecdotes from Artie's life more than an actual, linear "biography", most of the stories have already been told on the Howard Stern Show. But there is also a lot that has been left untold until this point. Part of Lange's appeal is his wild, too-crazy-to-be-true stories and the animated way in which he tells them. Sadly, the stories have their roots in a deep-seated cocaine and heroin addiction, leaving the reader/listener say "oh, no, Artie...". The audio bo...more
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Read in November, 2008
Artie, as any Stern fan knows, is a great storyteller, and this book is no exception. Artie, as any Stern fan also knows, has the lowest self-esteem, worst impulse control, highest self-sabotage and loathing of just about anyone you've ever heard of. So this book is funny, yes, and full of stories you've heard before, fleshed out in un-Howard-interrupted detail, but it's also really sad. But maybe it's like Robin said on 11/20/08's show--Artie likes it when people say, "Poor Artie" ...more
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Read in October, 2008
If you know Artie then you'll love this book. Artie is a fantastic story teller. His method of building excitement and anticipation combined with perfect comedic punchlines are the hallmark of a professional who is a master of his craft. This book is brutally honest about his drug, drink and gambling addictions as well as how he dealt with (or didn't) his father's crippling injury and subsequent death.
Overall, the book had me rolling with laughter at some points and deeply saddened ...more
Overall, the book had me rolling with laughter at some points and deeply saddened ...more
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Read in June, 2009
Since I am not a "fan" of Artie Lange's, I was hesitant to read this book. I noticed a friend read it and liked it, so I thought what the heck!
This book made me think that everyone should write their own book. Honestly, you never know what people have done in their lives, and this book surprised me with it's honesty. A perfect example of the saying, "until you walk a mile in their shoes." I could relate to much of what Artie has gone through in his life, though my...more
This book made me think that everyone should write their own book. Honestly, you never know what people have done in their lives, and this book surprised me with it's honesty. A perfect example of the saying, "until you walk a mile in their shoes." I could relate to much of what Artie has gone through in his life, though my...more
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This qualifies as an intense skimming which I enjoyed very much (also Shayla this was another one that I put on hold and was like the 100th person but somehow got bumped up.)
I like Artie's brutal honesty a lot. I don't think I'll ever feel like he was a good Jackie replacement. It's pretty clear to me from a psychological perspective Howard got someone he could run over and control completely.
OK that's a complete aside and has nothing to do with the book. It's really...more
I like Artie's brutal honesty a lot. I don't think I'll ever feel like he was a good Jackie replacement. It's pretty clear to me from a psychological perspective Howard got someone he could run over and control completely.
OK that's a complete aside and has nothing to do with the book. It's really...more
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Read in January, 2009
This is not your typical celebrity puff piece put together by some ghost-writer. Lange presents himself to the world laid bare for the world to see. Anyone who is a fan of the Stern show will know many of the stories already. That doesn't diminish their impact on the printed page. Those who don't listen will appreciate Lange's honesty and frankness when detailing his various problems with drugs and addiction. Knowing that Lange is currently struggling with a heroin problem and may not live ...more
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