Listen free for 30 days
-
American on Purpose
- The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot
- Narrated by: Craig Ferguson
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
American on Purpose
Buy Now for $31.44
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
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.
More from the same
What listeners love about American on Purpose
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Denise Paulsen
- 2020-08-08
Really enjoyable.
Very entertaining. I liked it for I was also born in Glasgow and now live in Canada. I remember seeing Craig perform at the Tron Theatre in the Trongate. My gran lived nearby on Bell Street. She used to live on High Street just down the road from George Square. Craig's stand up show had a bit about instead of Saving the Whale then what about the plankton? I also remember having a drink with my pal at the Cul-de-Sac bar in Glasgow's west end and Craig was with his pal Robbie Coltrane who could be spotted fleeing down Byers Road in his convertible MG. Oh the 80's!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2023-03-01
I couldn't have loved it more!!
I loved it so much that I started again to listen twice!! Thanks Craig
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2019-08-12
I want to listen to the book again*
I fell. Asleep while reading it the first time I did get some of it before I fell asleep and it was quite interesting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Diane
- 2009-12-09
Unabashedly Honest
This is an excellent auto biography penned completely by the author himself. Many Hollywood stars use ghost writers but Craig Ferguson does not. It is a pleasure to listen to Craig, with his scotish accent, tell the tale of his upbringing, turbulent years and eventual success in Hollywood. The audible boook allows use to literally hear his pain, struggle, humor and love throught this journey. His story keeps the reader enthralled and wanting more. I have listened to this from start to finish twice and I know I will listen to it many more times. Thank you to Mr. Ferguson to allow us to take a peak into your amazing, terrifing and triumphant life journey.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
28 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 2009-11-22
Recovery makes you interesting
I first bought this book because I liked Craig on the Late Late Show. I didn't realize it was quite the interested tale of his life. I don't usually like stories of recovering (fill-in-the-blank-aholics). But Craig's is a very engaging and unabashedly frank telling of how he became and is to this day, a person who "screwed" up in many of the ways life doesn't forgive and yet lived to tell about it. His genuinely talented comedic mind takes you on a journey to understanding how he became the man so many of us enjoy laughing with. Welcome to America Craig. We need more people like you who have reccaptured yourself and can share so openly and elequently your heart-felt apologies, your wit and your perspective on what it means to be American.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- GIS
- 2009-11-29
Excellent listening!
Craig Ferguson is brilliant in many ways -- writing is just one of them. His memoir, "American on Purpose," is unapologetically honest, inspirational, chock full of unexpected wisdom and teeming with both humor and heart. This audiobook version, read by the author, really brings the book to life in a most enjoyable way. (No, it's not a laugh-a-minute, but neither is life. This is an autobiography, not a television show monologue.)
For the politically-minded, there are a (very) few political thoughts and comments thrown in that not everyone is going to agree with. However, nothing is said/written that is overly vitriolic or hateful, and it in no way overwhelms or otherwise detracts from enjoying this book. It's just one guy expressing his opinion. Which, let's face it... the right to do that is part of the beauty of being an American, whether native born, or -- in Craig's case -- on purpose. Well done, Mr. Ferguson. Proud and pleased to have you as a citizen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Angela
- 2009-12-01
Good listen if you're a fan
As a fan of his tv show and his stand-up, I thought this was a great listen. It certainly sheds light on many of the life experiences he references on the Late Late Show. While there are laughs to be had, this isn't a comedic work, however, so don't purchase it with that expectation.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kim
- 2013-02-05
Craig Ferguson made me almost pee my pants
I never knew how freakin hilarious Craig Ferguson was - I thought he was funny before, but the pure genius of this book won me over. His accent is adorable and the man knows how to tell a story - I could listen to him all day. Really great job of mixing his personal history in with his hilarious musings on how weird the people in your life can be. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone wanting to be entertained & amused.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Heady
- 2009-10-08
Fantastic!
This was a great listen! Engaging, funny and heartfelt. Made me laugh, made me cry, made me appreciate my life as a born and bred American. Highly recommend it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jeff
- 2009-10-06
Great Scot! ..and what a patriot
Also being American by choice this book spoke to me in several ways.
Craig takes the listener on an entertaining journey from being a wee Scottish lad, insecure and unsure about himself, through his range of achievements and life experiences.
Understandably he keeps you laughing through the highs of his life but his story telling abilities shine through as he drops you down again and again into his struggle with addictions, yet he still keeps you laughing.
A great listen, and a highly recommended read for the entertainment and motivational value.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Susan L
- 2010-03-17
Funny but sometime slow
I love Craig and this is funny but not pure funny Ferguson. I wanted it to be either longer (more in depth) or shorter with more punch. Still a good listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mary T
- 2010-02-28
Inspirational and a rollercoaster
As a First generation American myself, I loved to read his story of a fresh-faced new American. It's amazing he survived so much in his young life and turned the corner to a happy ending. Loved this book and gave gifts of it in print. Thanks Craig, write more!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Carol
- 2009-10-21
Great Book
I loved this book! Craig's sense of humor shines through, even in his darkest hours, and it's even more enjoyable to listen to with his lilting Scottish brogue. He never let his struggles get him down and his love for America is evident. It makes me proud to be an American. I hope someday he takes the top spot in late night TV, he's better than all the rest.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful