Cocked and Loaded

by Richard Broom

Murder While Intoxicated and the Path Back to Humanity AFTER TEN YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT for fatally shooting a man during an alcoholic blackout, Richard Broom offers the confessions of an alcoholic through his frank, unvarnished, and darkly funny memoir Cocked and Loaded . Paying the ultimate price for his lifetime of addiction—the life of another—this poignant tale takes readers on the ultimate road to redemption; finding recovery and healing inside prison; making peace with the repercussions of his disease and actions; and finding a place and purpose in life after murder. Broom's ability to expose himself and admit in gross detail his sins and crimes will both haunt and inspire as he shines a sharply focused light on the life and mind-set of an addict.

263 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kara Chrisman]

This book is full of lies. It can not help you if you have an alcohol problem. This guy blames his drinking on his childhood life. Really it is all on decisions he has made. The guy he killed is my father, and again he does not tell the whole truth. He is very cocky and not sympathetic at all. He did not apology to the family and still has never apologized. It took killing a man to change his drinking problem, but not his attitude!

[Deb]

Interesting topic, but poorly written

[Amanda]

A memoir of an ex convict and former alcoholic, having to serve time after a shooting during a drunken stupor. Depicts the evolution of his addiction and then having the grace to find his way out of addiction following the 12 steps of recovery. It's a good, honest, powerful, and brutal read sprinkled with humour. Highly recommend!

[Stan Armiger]

A gripping true story which I could not put down. The author is a recovering alcoholic and this is the story of his descent to the bottom and his long road to redemption and recovery. I would love to meet the man.

[Sheryl]

A good reminder for addicts of what can happen during using times.

[Shantelle Gorrell]

I loved this book. Hard to read as it is from the point of view from an abusive and violent alcoholic? Sure. However it was so honestly written from HIS point of view throughout his entire life from early childhood until the point of being incarcerated after being a lifelong criminal. Reviews claim he wasn’t sympathetic, which is because for his entire life he was used to living in a very toxic and self destructive lifestyle which he himself didn’t even realize until working through sobriety and therapy programs in prison decades later. He had to completely rewire his brain and start to realize all the problems he caused. For that I found it a very interesting read. This book highlights childhood trauma without dwelling on it, and mostly explains how he lived his life while in the pits of violent alcoholism. He didn’t sugar coat anything. He painted himself as a horrible person because he was. For someone to self reflect and realize that I believe is a bold move. Loved this story.

[Olivia Chrisman]

This book is not a self help book. This guy murdered a man and shows no remorse. He’s sorry he got caught and went to prison, also thankful friends r it, but noteorry for murdering a man...a innocent man. Just looking out from r himself and doesn’t take responsibility or show remorse for the murder. The victim had a family with 2 young children. No remorse whatsoever! Disgusting!!! Ask me... I’m the victims daughter. Email me if you think differently. kara.chrisman1977@gmail.com

[Dick Harding]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book of course is basically an autobiography and the author is so honest that it is very difficult to like the guy through much of the early book. Of course, alcoholics are usually pretty difficult to like when they are drinking so he pretty much nailed this. I thought his story of recovery displayed a remarkable amount of determination. I truly admire Richard and hope one day maybe to run into him.

[K8]

Great Story of Hope and Recovery.I could feel his emotions throughout the book. Well written.I could not put it down.