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A review by asadaniels
American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Ferguson's memoir is witty, realistic, and hopeful. His writing is clear and approachable and he engages with the reader much as he engaged with his The Late Late Show guests: with authenticity.
Ferguson does not shy away from his complex and troubled life, where he was addicted to alcohol for several years and used numerous drugs during his teenage and early adulthood. He admits and explores his challenges and shortcomings, readily acknowledging his failures as a son, husband, and comedian. Likewise, in his state of sobriety and well-deserved stardom, he doesn't put himself on a pedestal or patronize the reader. Instead, he remains genuine and respects the fact that we all live troubling, challenging lives. What Ferguson lets us see is how this kind of life can also be invigorating, adventurous, and deeply meaningful, with the help from those around you and a willingness to admit your faults.
I found Ferguson's writing easily approachable and friendly and while I did not laugh a single time while reading, I don't think Ferguson was really looking to make us laugh. I think was setting out to explore his past and explore within himself deeply, which I believe he achieved (when you know your book is going to be published and scrutinized by the lay public, at least). I deeply appreciated Ferguson's humility regarding his alcoholism and I believe it is a great example of how people in that situation are experts of their own experience.
I also enjoyed learning more about Ferguson as a person. I realized I was sort of flying past the more deeply troubling parts of Ferguson's life - the numerus times he was an adulterer, lambasted his friends, and was just an all around bum of a character - and I don't know how much of that has to do with Ferguson's writing style or just me as a reader. At the end of the day, he does admit and is open about all of these things, so it may be more important for the reader to actually attend to it themselves.
Ferguson also proudly shares the hope and dream he has in the American ideal, which was refreshing to read with the current and ongoing political climate of the country. I can see some readers seeing it as bogus or overly-hopeful, but I personally still believe a lot of his faith in America - in the right to be an individual and the right to disagree without oppression - is true today and are more universal that some of the beliefs being argued about.
All in all, this was a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Craig Ferguson or else wants to learn about the experiences of a hard-working American immigrant (now national) and his struggle through substance use on the road to figuring out what he wants in life and his identity.
"Like he was Frank Sinatra and she was Elizabeth Taylor."
Ferguson does not shy away from his complex and troubled life, where he was addicted to alcohol for several years and used numerous drugs during his teenage and early adulthood. He admits and explores his challenges and shortcomings, readily acknowledging his failures as a son, husband, and comedian. Likewise, in his state of sobriety and well-deserved stardom, he doesn't put himself on a pedestal or patronize the reader. Instead, he remains genuine and respects the fact that we all live troubling, challenging lives. What Ferguson lets us see is how this kind of life can also be invigorating, adventurous, and deeply meaningful, with the help from those around you and a willingness to admit your faults.
I found Ferguson's writing easily approachable and friendly and while I did not laugh a single time while reading, I don't think Ferguson was really looking to make us laugh. I think was setting out to explore his past and explore within himself deeply, which I believe he achieved (when you know your book is going to be published and scrutinized by the lay public, at least). I deeply appreciated Ferguson's humility regarding his alcoholism and I believe it is a great example of how people in that situation are experts of their own experience.
I also enjoyed learning more about Ferguson as a person. I realized I was sort of flying past the more deeply troubling parts of Ferguson's life - the numerus times he was an adulterer, lambasted his friends, and was just an all around bum of a character - and I don't know how much of that has to do with Ferguson's writing style or just me as a reader. At the end of the day, he does admit and is open about all of these things, so it may be more important for the reader to actually attend to it themselves.
Ferguson also proudly shares the hope and dream he has in the American ideal, which was refreshing to read with the current and ongoing political climate of the country. I can see some readers seeing it as bogus or overly-hopeful, but I personally still believe a lot of his faith in America - in the right to be an individual and the right to disagree without oppression - is true today and are more universal that some of the beliefs being argued about.
All in all, this was a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Craig Ferguson or else wants to learn about the experiences of a hard-working American immigrant (now national) and his struggle through substance use on the road to figuring out what he wants in life and his identity.
"Like he was Frank Sinatra and she was Elizabeth Taylor."