American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

In his memoir American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson, host of The Late, Late Show, traces his journey from working-class Glasgow to the comedic limelight of Hollywood and American citizenship. Moving and achingly funny, American on Purpose moves from Ferguson’s early life as an alcoholic to his stint on The Drew Carey Show to his decision to become a U.S. citizen in its unique and honest look at his version of the American dream. |

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 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: in 1993, the washed-up Ferguson washed up in the United States. Finally sober, Ferguson landed a breakthrough part on the hit sitcom The Drew Carey Show, a success that eventually led to his role as the host of CBS's 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 for the president at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson talks a red, white, and blue streak about everything our Founding Fathers feared.

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“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

“Craig Ferguson is so much more than a talk show host. Craig Ferguson is so much more than an author. Craig Ferguson is so much more than god-like creature. Craig Ferguson is so much more than a mysterious force controlling tides and seasons. Craig Ferguson is so much more than an all powerful, all knowing, cosmic, intergalactic time traveler for the ages. Craig Ferguson is so much more than a harmonic vibration of the stars, the universe, the heavens and eternity. Craig Ferguson is full of shit. Enjoy the book.” - David Letterman

“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

“Profanely funny. . . downright inspiring. . . one of the best celebrity memoirs in years.” - Boston Globe

“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.” - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

“Hilariously vivid.” - People

“Hilarious and revealing...witty and emotional.” - The Daily Beast