American on Purpose
The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot
Published on 1. June 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-06-199849-2 (ISBN)
Description
In "American on Purpose", Craig 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 entertainment capital of the world. Along the way he stumbled through several attempts to make his mark - as a punk rock musician, a modern dancer, a bouncer, a construction worker and a stand-up comedian. 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 beer.) But his story has a happy ending: in 1993, the washed up Ferguson washed up in the United States - which, from the age of seven, he had always seen as a beacon of goodness and possibility. Finally sober, Ferguson landed a breakthrough role on the hit sitcom "The Drew Carey Show", a success that eventually led to his current starring role as the host of CBS' "The Late Late Show". By far Ferguson's greatest triumph was his decision to become a U.S. citizen, a milestone he achieved in early 2008, just before his command performance.
Reviews / Votes
"A fine writer, witty, reflective, and candid... Ferguson is a kinetic cutup teeming with foolishness, brilliance, defiance, and heart. All this is captured in his book as an entertaining connect-the-dots journey." -- Associated Press "Hilariously vivid." -- People "Funny and poignant and inspirational and brilliant. Nowhere in his story of emigration and redemption does Craig Ferguson realize that as lucky as he thinks he is to be 'American on Purpose,' we are luckier still to have him." -- Keith Olbermann "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, author of The Given Day "A great read ... almost as good as my memoir." -- Carrie Fisher, author of Wishful Drinking "Ferguson has given us a biographical treatment that is both brutally honest and inspirational...American on Purpose is a book that should be read." -- Chicago Sun-Times "Hilarious and revealing...witty and emotional." -- The Daily BeastMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
366 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-199849-2 (9780061998492)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2009
1st Edition
HarperCollins
€7.99
Available for download
Person
Craig Ferguson is the host of The Late Late Show. He is the author of the novel Between the Bridge and the River and lives in Los Angeles, California.