Book Review: American on Purpose

This was on my list of books to read while driving cross country as it was advertised as a comedy and I absolutely love Craig Ferguson. I figured that it would keep me occupied for hours sitting in a car. I was right! I really enjoyed this book because it was funny but also included his personal story which made it touching. Unlike some of the comedy books that are currently out, (though I do love them) this addresses some heavy topics in a humorous way without making light of them.

Ferguson starts the book with his reflections on the 2008 White House Correspondents Dinner. It is clear from this introduction that he has made it big in America despite the fact that he wasn't a citizen until recently. He then takes the reader back to Scotland where he was born and raised and mostly disliked by his peers. Growing up, he suffered through the local school system but found solace in a trip to NYC. He promised himself that he would return to America someday. Before that happened, Ferguson had a horrific descent into alcohol and drug use. It was during this time that he married his first wife and got his first divorce. After dragging himself back from this dark period in his life, he excelled and even surpassed his expectations for himself. Of course he suffered through a couple more marriages and divorces as well as some dead end jobs before he landed his position on CBS and his wife Meg. It is a contemporary twist on the American Dream/Rags to Riches story.

Though he uses humor in his writing, he is quite serious about the mistakes that he has made. I continued to laugh at his descriptions of debauchery in which he was involved but he was sure to explain that this was one of the worst parts of his life. His insights into Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and just Americans in general is right on. Sometimes it takes an outsider to truly see someone's quirks. In this case, it is a whole nation's quirks. Ferguson does an excellent job of poking fun without making fun. I laughed throughout the book but was emotionally touched which is unique for comedies.

-DLP