Customer Reviews

American on Purpose CD

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I've always loved Craig Ferguson as a comedian, but now I have a newfound respect for him as a person. American on Purpose delivers a funny and touching account of his journey from Glasgow to Hollywood. He is honest about about his alcoholism and drug use, his decision to become a US citizen, and everything in between. This is a surprisingly candid and literate memoir, a refreshing change from the usual celebrity tell-all.

...the funniest, most entertaining and by far the most appealing of all these guys (Letterman & Leno included)--maybe of all the guys I've ever encountered in real life--shines through every page of this unputdownable, occasionally harrowing, tenderly hilarious memoir. It's all here: Ferguson's playful wit, his utter lack of pomposity, his willingness to laugh at his own farty (as he might put it) humanity along with everyone else's, and his endearingly chivalrous streak apparent even when he's at the abyss of bad behavior (which he captures in all its rawness). If you're not a fan yet, you will be. So buy the book and change your bedtime...or at least set your TIVO. In this case, Scotland's loss is most definitely America's gain.

The idea of a little boy growing up far across an ocean and eyeing the gleaming shores of this country has been tarnished of late by our misadventures as a superpower. And now, suddenly and with the power that only a good writer can summon, it's back.

Odd, isn't it, that America never looks so good as through the eyes of someone who wasn't born into the privilege of this particular Democracy?

I read this book in a single sitting; starting the journey with a host who escorts us as easily through his life as he does through an hour of television every night. From the mean streets of a mean childhood, to the gilded halls of Washington, and through the backdoor that led him to television stardom ... with a long and poignant stopover in the haze of alcoholism. What an adventure! If you don't empathize with the man when he shakes his fist at the stars in the middle of the desert and chooses uncertainty just for the hell of it, you're not living right.

WIth the gentle hindsight of a man who has come out the other side of that haze, Ferguson is kind to virtually all the people in this adventure ... and Lord knows, it's uncommon enough for someone who makes their living in Hollywood to act that way.

This is a terrific read. Enjoy it.

I have always loved Craig from the first time I saw his show. He is down-to-earth, funny, and his warmth shows through in his humor. I was not disappointed by his life story, and do not agree with those who thought he went into too much detail. I was drawn in by his story-telling, and was disappointed when it ended. I think he did a wonderful job, and I hope that America and I will be blessed with many more years of his humor and love.

"American On Purpose" is Craig Ferguson's no holds barred look at his own life. From his beginnings in a poor section of Glasgow, Scotland through his drug and alcohol use, Ferguson doesn't spare the details of how he has evolved into the host of the "Late Late Show."

Ferguson is his own harshest critic, and his true wit shows through in his writing. The book is funny, fast-paced, and even has a happy ending!

My final thought on the book is based on a line from the book at the end of Chapter 3: "... and the toys still talk." Read the book, watch his show, and you'll see that they do.

When I started to read this book I was not aware of the emotions it would bring to me. I have also read Between the Bridge and the River and fell in love with that book too. Ferguson proves himself to be a really good author and I hope we see more coming from his pen. His story is told in a matter-of-fact way, very candidly, no excuses and I know too few people who can make that happen. But as you read, you can see the emotions just beneath the surface. I laughed, I cried and I want to read more from this guy!
Bravo, Craig Ferguson. I applaud you.

What really came across for me from this book were several aspects.

For a man with so many downs dogging his early child and adult years, he has an admirable lack of self-pity. Perhaps it's because he has conquered so much by the time he writes this memoir. I was conscious, however, of his sadness of how his problems affected his relationships, especially his great female loves. I teared up when he had to sell the perfect little seaside cottage he had shared with his second wife when they finally split up - the act being a symbol of the loss simultaneously of hope, dreams, love.

I am amazed at how he, and I suppose many males in general, accepts fighting fist to fist. As a female, I can't imagine willingly enduring/participating in and even looking forward to a great fight as Craig does during his years growing up in Scotland. Maybe the blows don't hurt as much when you are young or when the senses are dulled by drunkeness...This is not to be interpreted as acts of an aggressive self-nature, self-hatred or self-punishment but was endemic to the immediate culture.

This is a well written and serious memoir from a commedian told with frankness; not sparing the reader the darker moments fueled from the loss of great loves, very serious alcoholism, active drug use, career sputters, etc.

What I really admire about him now is that he doesn't keep hitting you over the head currently on his talk show with these details. Unlike Carrie Fisher, for example, his current humor is not dependent on constantly referring to the past difficulties. He concentrates now on the positives and I suspect that's what keeps him on safer and happier ground.

At present, he has a stable "this is forever" marriage, a successful late night talk show, a new American citizenship - in short a life vastly different and more successful than he could have ever imagined from his original start in life in working class Scotland.

If you chose to read this book so you know his backstory, see if you agree with me that when you watch him carefully on his talk show, you don't see a humbleness at times. Look for the moments he downcasts his eyes relative to the immediate conversation and the times he seems to be remembering but withholding his thoughts. Maybe I am projecting or imagining this....but maybe not.....experience can be the ultimate savior, constant atonement the means to longterm self-forgiveness. In the book, he comments often of his regret of causing others pain. Not all memoirs uplift....but this one does.

EDIT: I definitely hesitated before including the last paragraph above. It's a bit heavy handed like he is always in some kind of self-reflective mode when he's doing his show. He's definitely not and he did a bit that involved alcohol in one of his latest shows and it was light hearted and fun. It's just that I sense he has moments when he is reminded of his own difficulties. Alcoholism is a life-long battle and never really fully stops being something you can forget entirely.

I have vague memories of Steve Allen and Jack Parr. Mostly Johnny Carson entertained me. Johnny was warm and funny and enjoyed his guests. His was quick and bright and funny. But you never felt like you knew him. Here in is the difference, I think the man you see on the TV, this Scotsman from Glasgow, lets you in on his reality. That is why I wanted to hear him read his words; to see if I was right. I am so I was!

No one's life is easy, surely not his, but he makes no apologies for it...it is what it is. He said something like, his son and he grow out of their mistakes. Isn't that lovely? His explanation of what addition was/is like for him is probably one of the best I have heard.

Oh, don't doubt it, he is really glad to be an American.

Is it a "tell all" book?

Yes, about himself. No about others, he changes the names of people where he feels appropriate.

Who is this for?

If you are listening to it, those who like the Scottish burr. People who like memoirs. People who like a bit of a giggle. People that like him on TV and want to know more about the man; like did you know he wrote a novel before this book?

Oh,all of you who like a good story told in the first person, read the book! For you vampire lovers, he likes them and likes to play them.

What more can I say? I love this story and will listen to it again in future...just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

(Oh, if you have have watched the program, you know Craig does have to be bleeped something....he is not bleeped here but it is not excessive and is part of who he is. Just do a mental bleep and go on.

Of course I now have another book to add to my evergreen and growing list...yes, I gotta read that first book!)

On the back jacket of this book, David Letterman's advance praise states: "Craig Ferguson is so much more than a talk-show host." He is MOST DEFINITELY right about that!! If you are a fan of the Late Late Show, this is a MUST READ. There is a whole 'nother side to this man other than the quick & witty Scottish funny guy we have come to endear. His journey to becoming a late night talk host is absolutely captivating. I dont' want to give anything away, so I'm just going to say PICK UP THIS BOOK, and go to one of his last book signings like I did and meet the guy!

I have devoted my life to the Arts and now at the age of 75 I have linked to two greatest artists of all millennium: 1) CRAIG FERGUSON for writing and 2) KEN BYLER for painting. Their art is their soul in truth, beauty, profundity and prolificness.
Since it is Mr. Ferguson's work that brings me to this website I bring him to the fore. I have finished his first book, "Between the Bridge and the River", and call it the greatest novel ever written in surrealistic existentialism with both feet on the ground and both eyes in focus! I have just begun his "American On Purpose" and can say that his greatness continues. All is right.