American on Purpose

The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

By: Craig Ferguson

Narrated by: Craig Ferguson

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

“With American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson somehow manages to avoid the pitfalls of self-indulgence and self-importance that plague most (okay, all) Hollywood autobiographies. He has, instead, written a book that is hilarious and irrepressibly daft, yet also kind, poignant, and undeniably wise. It was a joy to read.” (Dennis Lehane, New York Times best-selling author of The Given Day)

Ferguson delivers a moving and achingly funny memoir of living the American dream as he journeys from the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland, to the comedic promised land of Hollywood. Along the way, he stumbles through several attempts to make his mark - as a punk rock musician, a construction worker, a bouncer, and, tragically, a modern dancer. To numb the pain of failure, Ferguson found comfort in drugs and alcohol, addictions that eventually led to an aborted suicide attempt. (He forgot to do it when someone offered him a glass of sherry.) But his story has a happy ending: success on the hit sitcom The Drew Carey Show, and later as the host of CBS's Late Late Show. By far Ferguson's greatest triumph was his decision to become a US citizen, a milestone he achieved in early 2008.

In American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson talks a red, white, and blue streak about everything our Founding Fathers feared.

©2009 Craig Ferguson (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Honesty

Heart warming story . I enjoy Mr Ferguson so much and to hear it in his own words it was wonderful. Plus I can totally relate. Worth a listen

Brutally honest unabashedly funny, no tragic no...

Craig Ferguson takes us on a tour of his life as it twists and turns its way to America. Self narration lends to the story and allows you to feel the confusion, pain, and triumph. Terrific insights into one mans journey.

Funny, self-deprecating humor with deeper meaning

So far, I have not liked when authors read their own books, but Craig does a great job. He's such a genuine and funny person. It is nice to see someone who does not take his life (as an American) and success for granted.

Craig is a gentleman and a firecracker

He's wonderfully straightforward and very funny, doesn't shy away from his past darkness and pettiness, and inspires me with much he's taken responsibility for his life. Plus between his great delivery and the brogue he's a pleasure to listen to. And he makes this cynical reader feel practically patriotic.

Stubborn Scots hellbent on making it in America

Would you consider the audio edition of American on Purpose to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version, not sure I would. I did like listening to the Scottish accent (a big part of why I purchased the book.)

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I was impressed with the functioning alcoholic story and how well he functioned. I loved hearing about his childhood and growing up. The whole struggle of making it in America story was a bit redundant but I knew what I was signing up for, his success came with a price.

What does Craig Ferguson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Again the Scottish accent was nice (even though his family said he lost his accent.) I liked hearing him tell his own story and he could add feeling into the words.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked when he had to ask his Gunka James for help cause he didn't have anyone else that he could depend on like that. He had to drive 8+ hours (but unable to himself) so he could move out of an English cottage, that he once owned with his wife. It was sad but heart-warming.

Any additional comments?

It was a good listen made better because Craig narrated it himself.

Love the man -shocked by his life

What did you like about this audiobook?

I really liked his comments at the end about becoming American.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I like him even more now that I heard how the funniest guy in late night got there humbly from raw beginnings.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Do you have any additional comments?

enjoyed it very much~

chose this book, liking Ferguson's humor,and feeling that seeing the USA from the point of view of someone who is American by choice might be helpful during this election season. Ferguson is candid and funny~ many comedians' memoirs are not funny! Ferguson's humor is often self-deprecating; he avoids the narcissistic navel gazing that can plague memoirs of any sort. anything else i would say would be cliched~ suffice it to say it is an entertaining and thought provoking read. i respect the guy tremendously, in addition to enjoying his work.

Great laughs

I listened to this audiobook while commuting. I love Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show and thought that a whole audiobook full of his antics would be a good time. And it was. I'd definitely recommend it.

Honest, Interesting, Real

Any additional comments?

I've never watched a full episode of Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show always being put off by the silly talking skeleton side kick. Being desperate for some comedic relief in a "heavy" time of my life, I took a chance on this book. I listened to the whole book almost non-stop and then was sorry when it ended.

Craig did an excellent job in writing and narrating this biographical sketch of his life, spanning his childhood to the present time. Many will relate heartily with his intense "party life" of the 70s and 80s, and the morphing of so many wild and crazy adventures into the constant horror, guilt, shame and deplorable, harmful behavior of a helpless and hopeless alcoholic.

Craig's story is a fascinating one and his telling of it is brilliant! It was heartwarming, outrageous, humorous, inspirational and at last patriotic. He beat the odds of a far lesser fate and isn't afraid to share the hard earned wisdom of how he did it.

I enjoyed his honest account very much and feel like I know the man now! I even plan to stay up for the Late Late Show, despite his skull brained side kick.

Complete Delight

What made the experience of listening to American on Purpose the most enjoyable?

Ferguson's self deprecating humor & excellent story telling make American on Purpose enjoyable from beginning to end