Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations, and Observations Hardcover – May 7, 2019

I watched his late night show religiously. I have read his other books. I have seen him on tour. I still miss him terribly!Never in the history of television have we seen a host--a phenomenon--like Craig Ferguson. Always fresh, unique, and quirky, Craig delivers the same in his writing. This collection of essays, in no particular order save his memories, offers a bit of insight into a brilliant yet complicated man who writes with a conversational and comfortable prose, almost as if you were having coffee with him. I found my emotions moving from one extreme to the other while reading these stories, but always with a chuckle.Enjoy this collection from a man who truly seems to have found himself, if you'll pardon the cliche. From a life of (mis)adventure to a life of sobriety and family, the reader can feel Craig's satisfaction in the pages.I can't wait to see what he does next...I'll watch his next show, read his next book, and go to see him when he's on tour. I'll keep missing him terribly.

Into the first three chapters and I don't know if I can finish. So far, it does not live up to the wit and charm of the Craig Ferguson I've come to know and love. One chapter is a self-contemptuous recount of a long hangover suffered in Sri Lanka decades ago. Another chapter is a gratuitous tale of his battle with a face zit which cost him some romance as an adolescent. An in-your-face sadistic exercise in graphic disgust. I paid good money for ironic bitter-sweet. Will try chapter four. I hope it's not filled with boogers.

Craig Ferguson has managed to set many of my thoughts down in print, with an eloquent dose of clarity, humility, and, of course, humor, something not often achieved by people who just write books for a living, let alone perform standup, host talk shows, act in films, fly light aircraft, etc. As an American descendant of Scots that hailed from the Firth of Clyde, I lift my cup of hot, sweet tea to say "Cheers."

I’ve been a big Craig Ferguson fan for a long time. Loved his last book and see his live shows as often as possible. Craig is brilliant and a one of a kind talent.I was excited to read this book having no real idea where Craig would take it. Sadly the book feels like leftovers and many of the, from earlier in Craig’s life. A couple of the chapters are about stories I have heard Craig tell before. There are some genuine funny and emotion portions of the book, but overall it feels random and not really Craig’s top shelf stuff.I wish Craig would have done a little more present day stuff and tied that backward (he does it a few times). While he has some great stories from the past, he has used many of his best stuff on his tours.The writing style of the book was odd for me. I didn’t always feel like I was listening to Craig.Maybe others (who are real and actually read the book) will feel different. For me a live appearance from Craig tops this book.

In a recent interview, Craig Ferguson said that if you like him, you'll like the book; if you don't like him, you won't like the book. I can only speak to one side of that in that I have long been a huge fan. I loved his late night show and still miss it. He just makes me smile. This book is him - good and bad - but always captivating and well-written. He's not afraid to speak his mind, and in a way that is so refreshing in today's environment of excruciating political correctness. This is not to say that he is in any way crude or unfair - he's just frank, revealing, smart, interesting, and thoughtful. I laughed out loud a number of times which, for me, is rare for a book. The book covers decades of his life in chapters that usually come across as short stories. The last chapter is as good as any literary writing I have ever read - truly exceptional. This is a great book. I have reread several chapters that I found particularly cogent. If you like Craig Ferguson, you'll love this book.

I am a huge fan of Craig's and have read all three of his books, though I will freely admit my fandom came from first watching his show on CBS "cares" - thus, it pains me to say that this book was a bit of a slog, and certainly not a laugh riot page-turner, if that's what you're hoping for. The irony is, as much as Craig claims to be relieved to no longer be working in late night television "thou doth protest too much" certainly seems to apply. The show has been off the air for 5 years, and yet he still seems to be its captive. Certainly Craig deserves credit for holding nothing back but at times - and I say this respectfully - he seems to believe that the drama in his life couldn't be replicated anywhere else, which is of course true for none of us. In that regard, the book is a disappointment. Craig is an immense talent and has the god-given gift of being able to make people laugh - a lot. Unfortunately, there aren't that many laughs to be found here.

I'm a Ferguson fan, have been since Drew Carey. I am stilled bummed that his late night show (with the puppets!) is gone, but after reading this, I have a better idea why he gave it up. Having read his first memoir, I see how he's evolved with age - as I mentioned, his growing up. He and I are w/in a few weeks of the same age, and I can very much identify with where he's at in life. Highly recommended.

Craig was one of the first writers who encouraged me to step out of the darkness and into the light. I have missed him, he has a way of describing the horrible hold alcohol can have. It takes someone to be real and honest and vulnerable in order for us to see.I can't thank him enough, he is a truly gifted spirit.

I'm a big fan of this gentleman during his run on the Late Late Show. Very sweary but I'd buy any book written by him. Full of insight and erudition. Nice read.

Great book

Just a great book . Well written , touching and funny and sometimes at the same time

When interviewed on a late-night talk show Ferguson said something to the effect that if you like him you’ll love the book, if you don’t like him you’ll hate the book and if you don’t know him then he’s not concerned... in true Craig Ferguson style. I love the book. Also, I miss him on late-night TV but understand his desire to escape from it. Hope you enjoy!

I love Craig Ferguson; he writes well, has a sense of humour and can see the irony and the lessons in all the good and bad in his life and he shares it all. Reading this book is like catching up with an old friend that leads a far more interesting and unusual life than you and all your other friends.