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eggjen's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the better memoirs I've read - I love Craig and his talk show and reading about his life was a lot of fun. Craig's life reads like something out of fiction - so much has happened to him and he's really come along way - and his writing style is clever and funny. I really enjoyed this one from beginning to end.
jtcmedia's review against another edition
2.0
Craig Ferguson's "rags-to-riches" story is actually quite unremarkable. I found this book a bore and it reminded me again how overpaid and self absorbed entertainers are.
Two thirds of the book are spent in his twenties (because once someone becomes a multi-millionaire, their life just isn't as interesting). So most of the book talks about his aimless life during that time (and if you have seen his talk show, he reminds the audience all the time about being a recovered alcoholic). But seriously, who wasn't an alcoholic, at least briefly, in their twenties? There really isn't anything atypical about someone finding themselves while in their twenties and doing a lot of drugs and alcohol along the way. Many people I know, myself included, drank heavily and experimented with drugs during that time. I guess we should all boast about being a recovered alcoholic and write autobiographies. He ended up in rehab only because he's in the entertainment business and his entertainment business friends sent him there. He's been sober since thirty-two. Thirty-two! When he has gone on again and again about being a recovered alcoholic, I assumed that meant something out of the ordinary like till he was forty!
Anyways, once he got on Drew Carey, he became a millionaire (his words,not mine)! Two things he doesn't mention and you have to infer from the book is that he worked really, really hard honing his comedic skill, even in his torrid twenties. The other thing which becomes apparent through the book (and if you saw him on his talk show), is he is a very likable fellow and made several friends in the industry which helped get him where he is.
And of course he was obsessed with coming to America. Geese, never heard that before in the Entertainment industry.
The take-away I got from this book is you can be a complete mess in your twenties and still jump into the entertainment business and become a multi-millionaire and land a hot wife!
Two thirds of the book are spent in his twenties (because once someone becomes a multi-millionaire, their life just isn't as interesting). So most of the book talks about his aimless life during that time (and if you have seen his talk show, he reminds the audience all the time about being a recovered alcoholic). But seriously, who wasn't an alcoholic, at least briefly, in their twenties? There really isn't anything atypical about someone finding themselves while in their twenties and doing a lot of drugs and alcohol along the way. Many people I know, myself included, drank heavily and experimented with drugs during that time. I guess we should all boast about being a recovered alcoholic and write autobiographies. He ended up in rehab only because he's in the entertainment business and his entertainment business friends sent him there. He's been sober since thirty-two. Thirty-two! When he has gone on again and again about being a recovered alcoholic, I assumed that meant something out of the ordinary like till he was forty!
Anyways, once he got on Drew Carey, he became a millionaire (his words,not mine)! Two things he doesn't mention and you have to infer from the book is that he worked really, really hard honing his comedic skill, even in his torrid twenties. The other thing which becomes apparent through the book (and if you saw him on his talk show), is he is a very likable fellow and made several friends in the industry which helped get him where he is.
And of course he was obsessed with coming to America. Geese, never heard that before in the Entertainment industry.
The take-away I got from this book is you can be a complete mess in your twenties and still jump into the entertainment business and become a multi-millionaire and land a hot wife!
freundlydude's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
5/5. I have been a fan of Craig Ferguson for over 10 years now. I watched The Late Late Show religiously, I've seen his stand-up twice, I've consumed all of his comedy specials, I listen to his podcast...basically, if Craig is there, I will at least check it out. With this book, I had been meaning to read it for so long but despite a couple of attempts, I just wasn't in the right mindset. But I finally decided to commit to it, and I'm glad I did, because this book ended up being one of my favorites I've ever read. I was fully immersed by Craig's writing style, which was funny & witty while also being intriguing. The man has been through *a lot* in this life and he doesn't shy away or hide from that, nor does he try to make himself look like a better man. He writes fully aware of his disheveled past. But by doing this, we get a really intimate look into his life journey, which I found to be incredibly powerful & moving.
You don't have to be a fan of Craig Ferguson to get something out of this book, but if you are a fan of his in any way, I can't recommend it enough.
You don't have to be a fan of Craig Ferguson to get something out of this book, but if you are a fan of his in any way, I can't recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
4.0
Funny and inspiring. Reminds us of the good things about America on the days when it is very difficult to be proud to be an American.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
3.0
It is strange to read such a dark past for such a goofy fella. Ferguson is a good storyteller and his straightforward and often comical approach to his life and failures is refreshing.
libraryam's review against another edition
3.0
*Audio version - read by author*
Earnest, amusing, and insightful, this is an engaging and entertaining memoir. I'm a bigger fan now than I was when I started the book.
mrs_baas's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so often disappointed when I read the memoir of a very funny person, and it's really not funny. This is NOT the case with this one! Craig Ferguson is blunt about his life path, not sparing any punches or downplaying his drug and alcohol addictions. However, it still has the same tongue -in-cheek humor that I love about his other works.
gginnola's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Craig Ferguson, you'll love this book. Really enjoyed it. I sure do miss his talk show!!
xolindsey's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
3.0
this was fun! rated 3 because i wouldn’t ever re-read it so it’s not a 4.