Straight Pepper Diet

A Memoir

By: Joseph W. Naus

Narrated by: Joseph W. Naus

Joseph W. Naus was living the American dream. He'd survived a brutal childhood, graduated from Pepperdine Law School, and become a successful attorney. Then one night his American dream life became a nightmare when his sex and alcohol addictions collided and exploded.

"On Tuesday I was a respected civil trial lawyer making six figures. On Wednesday I woke up handcuffed to a hospital bed, charged with attempted murder...and then it got worse."

Straight Pepper Diet is a book about surviving one's own wreckage. It's harrowing, sometimes hilarious, and surprisingly hope-filled.

©2015 Joseph W. Naus (P)2016 Joseph W. Naus

Totally engrossing memoir of addiction

What made the experience of listening to Straight Pepper Diet the most enjoyable?

The straight drive through this turbulent and often terrifying story. Great writing that rings astonishingly of truth.

What does Joseph W. Naus bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Both his legal perspective and his keen notice of detail is very compelling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh, easily.

Any additional comments?

Hope he keeps writing.

Read by author. Great job

Joseph Naus has written an awesome book. Just as many addicts relate to another's story, I felt as if this book was written for me. Five Stars!!!

WOW!! I can't stop listening!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Straight Pepper Diet?

I really found the prison scenes fasinating!

Have you listened to any of Joseph W. Naus’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is the best!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

Buy this book!

Riveting, Relevant, and Raw

What made the experience of listening to Straight Pepper Diet the most enjoyable?

Joseph's transformation from degenerate to spiritually enlightened is inspiring. He is so honest, so vulnerable and open to judgment, it's truly admirable. It doesn't matter that he'll disgust you at first because you will be able to empathize with the circumstances that led him to deplorable behavior, and you will be proud of him when he frees himself from it.

What other book might you compare Straight Pepper Diet to and why?

I've read other memoirs about addiction and transformation, but nothing like this. SPD made me feel a gamut of positive and negative emotions, which is what books should do.

What does Joseph W. Naus bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Having the story read by the author makes him feel very real, like I was one of his friends or exes. It was great to have his voice contribute to the overall picture of the narrator. His honest thoughts in his own voice maintain the story's authenticity and, again, make him real and likable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

I expected to hate this book. I bought it because I was married to someone like Joseph and I wanted to understand him better. In the end, I don't know if it helped me with that--my ex may very well be a sociopath and Joseph is not-- but I found value in the story anyway. I would read it again and strongly recommend it if you like memoirs.

One of the most honest recovery memoirs I’ve read

To work your way to success from desperate circumstances, and then to lose it all in one night, is a tragic set of circumstances. Naus describes how it all unfolded with startling honesty. His is an amazing story of redemption through three months of incarceration and years of patient struggle. I can’t recommend the book enough for anyone who has encountered personal crisis and seeks a model for transcending truly harrowing setbacks.

I can't believe he's still alive!

If you don't think addiction is a disease then please read this story of tragedy & triumph.

Compelling

Although at times the story seemed somehow exaggerated and surreal (and it was at times unnecessarily crude and graphic), I nevertheless trusted the author throughout. He did a great read which felt honest and authentic, and it kept my interest until the very end. Well done.

Loved it!!!

Enough to scare you straight. Great read, great voice. Definitely recommend to fellow memoir readers.

Crushing, Violent, Hopeful, Always Real

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Had to put it down several times during the first half - wondered why I was reading it more than once - never dull but the pain of some parts approached my threshold. Crushing, uplifting, genuine.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Naus; in general, many other characters are touched on, but Mr. Naus is the only character truly developed in the story.

What about Joseph W. Naus’s performance did you like?

Great performance - irony, sincere emotion, reality at every turn. I felt like I was sitting listening to Mr. Naus tell his story (because I was).

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Couldn't listen to it in one sitting - at times had to recover and take a break from the story.

Wow! Brave Book

I don't want to justify the pain in Naus' life, but maybe, just maybe, it was all worth it to write this book. I respect all those who have gone through the program and kicked a habit - especially ex-alcoholics: strong people, strong book.