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  • American on Purpose

  • The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot
  • By: Craig Ferguson
  • Narrated by: Craig Ferguson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (178 ratings)
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American on Purpose cover art

American on Purpose

By: Craig Ferguson
Narrated by: Craig Ferguson
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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

What listeners say about American on Purpose

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

an excellent story

A great story with many of life's lessons proven and dis-proven. A view of a parallel life in time and ultimate triumph and success over personal adversity.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A very surprising book

I was not sure what to expect from this book since I had not seen Craig on UK TV for a while. I thought this book was very funny and honest, definitely the best book I've listened to so far.

It was great to hear all his stories in and around Glasgow close to where I was born and live. I think this made the book even more enjoyable.

Craig is probably the only person who should read this book and does a great job at doing so.

I would highly recommend this book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Too many americanisms

Any additional comments?

I chose this based on the reviews having not really seen Craig since he left the Scottish /British comedy scene many years ago. I thought it may be an enjoyable story about how he progressed towards presenting a popular chat show in America.

I have listened to around 3-4 biogs a week for the last while and this was the first that i found extremely dull and could have switched off easily.

POSITIVES: Craigs voice is well suited to audio books, his turn of phrase and comic timing work well reading his own story, i did laugh a few times.

He clearly has and is working hard on his alcoholism which is a big part of his story, he clearly advocates the common system for abstention and this shines through.


NEGATIVES: The need to explain things to the american listeners in terms they understand is frustrating, ie bucks, recess. Just decide who your audience is and we can work it out, I never read an americans biog where they feel the need to explain how much 50 dollars is in pounds for example. Its highly annoying.

His story is pretty unintresting im sad to say, this guy is largely an unsuccessful drummer, comedian, actor and really has a bit of fortune in landing a job as a talk show host. After listening to him trundle through his comic career philandering and blowing cash on drink and drugs its hard to take him serious when we are told how hard a worker he is when he walks out on his first major tv role because the writers arent taking his input.

Ultimately i felt this guy hadnt told the whole story, he gave up drink, dont know about the drugs, touched on smoking! I was left feeling i didnt really know much about him and to be honest im pretty happy with that!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

The honesty and humour stood out for me. Thanks Craig for sharing your story. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant, Engaging, Honest.

John 1:46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
Shug (about ten minutes later) "Ahm no sure but there's some rerr hings that huv came oot of Cumbernauld!"

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

As a young child I remember sneaking a look at Bing Hitler on my parents black and white portable TV, he was interesting and different to anything else, both Craig’s memoirs are a fantastic listen and very funny, but honest and moving.
Quite a tale - he deserves every happiness.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining

Very entertaining, with life lessons galore! A nice break from the daily grind. looking forward to the next books now

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Evocative story of a life truly lived

Excellent tale of Craig Ferguson's journey from Scottish new town obscurity through his Glasgow, New York, London and Hollywood years. His early battle with alcoholism looms large throughout. Thoughtful and apologetic in equal measure, and funny throughout, Craig's tale is one of a striver who has chosen to embrace America while never forgetting his Scottishness. Thoroughly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'm biased. I love him.

It is such a joy, such an inspiration to hear Craig tell his own story. I adore this man, and even more so after hearing about his life!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absoloutly astonishing

puting aside the amazing writing of the book. I learned a lot by going through the adventurous life of craig and. It felt as I was living it moment my moment

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