Riding the Elephant

February 1, 2019

Former Late Late Show host Ferguson (American on Purpose) crafts a memoir from a series of autobiographical essays. He takes us on an elephant ride in Sri Lanka; embarks on an ill-fated, alcohol-laden fishing trip in New York; celebrates his son's bar mitzvah in Japan; and more. While each piece stands alone, the first and last entries are bookends to a collection of common threads: Ferguson's Scottish upbringing, career choices, family, and struggles with alcoholism. The author demonstrates his unique perspective with well-honed phrases and a liberal use of profanity. He provides cutting insights into fame and show business and into his personal life--one grotesque essay about a life-changing zit illustrates his willingness to bare his soul, blemishes and all. VERDICT Humorous and heartfelt (often on the same page), Ferguson is a great storyteller, whose signature irreverence and comedic timing translate perfectly to print. His fans, as well as anyone interested in comedy, will be rewarded.--Terry Bosky, Madison, WI

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2019
A memoir in essays by the former host of The Late Late Show.In this follow-up of sorts to his 2009 memoir America on Purpose, comedian and former talk show host Ferguson has assembled an eclectic volume of introspective essays that broadly reflect on his life experiences and travels. The author covers some familiar ground from his previous memoir: his Scottish heritage, bouts with alcoholism and path to sobriety, marriages and children. Here, he directs his attention to some of his more memorable moments, including a conversation he had as a teenager with a young dying woman that has haunted him years later; an interaction with an Australian bartender that brought his issues with drinking into sharp focus; and confronting his fear of flying by taking flying lessons. "What flying taught me wasn't just how to control an airplane," he writes. "It taught me about perspective. Not just the view from the plane but about myself, where I am in the world and the extent of my abilities. It taught me to be honest about myself." Ferguson rarely references other celebrities, refreshingly avoiding name-dropping. When he does mention a well-known figure, he uses it to great effect, as in his story about meeting Princess Diana. Within the context of a broader discussion of mortality, his few lines on Diana capture her luminous qualities. "I remember her eyes and her hair and her whiter-than-white teeth--like an American's--but what I remember most vividly is how easy it was to make her laugh....I forgot about my nerves while I talked to her; she made me forget myself for a while. I can't say anything much nicer about a person." Ferguson is a natural storyteller, sharp-witted and acutely observant of his surroundings. He's capable of maintaining a light touch yet his stories often transcend whatever humorous incidents may occur. Collectively, they serve as often poignant meditations on the long journey toward his late-middle-aged self.An entertaining memoir by a humorist who has gained enlightening insight into living an authentic life.

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April 15, 2019
Ferguson, former host of The Late Late Show, shares his thoughts about and insights into a variety of topics, including growing up Scottish, marriage and uncoupling, the British royal family, living in recovery, and traveling. Applying his signature wit and off-the-cuff humor to the page, each chapter reads like an extended Late Late Show monologue. The reader can almost sense Ferguson leaning in close with a meaningful albeit absurd aside with each italicized tangent. From his first job in a Scottish factory to his drug-laden experiences in the early stand-up days, Ferguson's stories are filled with uproarious descriptions of the people in his life and the myriad cultures he's encountered. Of note is the comedian's humility in sharing some of his lowest points and his somewhat accidental optimism despite those experiences. For fans of Ferguson (American on Purpose, 2009), this volume presents a nostalgic look back by a comic-turned-host who ripped up his notes every night before his interviews. As the title implies, the reader is along on a wayward and memorable journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)