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Summary
Summary
A shockingly candid and raw autobiography from legendary anchorman, jazz flutist, and host of The Ron Burgundy Podcast, Ron Burgundy.
From his humble beginnings in a desolate Iowa coal mining town, his years at Our Lady Queen of Chewbacca High School to his odds-defying climb to the dizzying heights of becoming America's most trusted and beloved television News Anchor, Ron Burgundy pulls no punches in Let Me Off at the Top !
In his very own words Burgundy reveals his most private thoughts, his triumphs and his disappointments. His life reads like an adventure story complete with knock-down fights, beautiful women and double-fisted excitement on every page. He has hunted jackalopes with Bobby Kennedy and Peter Lawford, had more than his share of his amorous exploits, and formed the greatest on-air team in the history of televised news. Along the way, he hobnobbed with people you wish you knew and some you honestly wish you didn't--celebrities, presidents, presidents' wives, celebrities' wives, dogs, and, of course Veronica Corningstone, the love of his life. Walter Cronkite, Barbra Streisand, Katie Couric, the list goes on. Who didn't Mr. Burgundy, or "Ron" as he is known to his friends, rub elbows with in the course of his colorful and often criminal life?
This may well be the most thrilling book ever written, by a man of great physical, moral and spiritual strength and not surprisingly a great literary talent as well. This book deserves a real shot at a Pulitzer Prize. In fact if it doesn't win one then we will finally have proof that the Pulitzer is rigged.
Ron Burgundy has taken the time to write a book. We owe it to him, as honest Americans, to read it.
Author Notes
RON BURGUNDY is an award winning News Anchorman and poet. He lives with his wife, Veronica and dog Baxter in San Diego California. When he is not making models of 18th century sailing ships he can often be found on the deck of his own boat, The Shining M'Lady or supervising archeological digs in and around his back yard. This is his first "book."
Reviews (1)
Kirkus Review
A paean to silly self-regard from the master of the genre, TV anchor Burgundy. Burgundy is, of course, a fictitious character, the product of comedian Will Ferrell. There's a Pinocchio moment toward the end of this looping book, full of sound but empty of signification, when he calls it "a novel about my life," even as he deems the two Anchorman franchise films to date "factual documentaries about myself." Roll with it, then: Burgundy, a native of a little town in Iowa named for a sectarian murderer and full of people who just didn't quite have the gumption to head further west, has made himself an enduring star of the small screen, a jazz flautist, dog lover and collector of "authentic replications of Spanish broadswords." And let's not forget connoisseur of peaty adult beverages: "There's nothing so bad on God's green earth that can't be made good by a tall glass of scotch." That may be, but even a fifth of the firth's finest can't mask the fundamental so-whatness of this artifact. The satire is broad to the point of micrometer-thinness, the targets all the usual suspects, the put-on chauvinism and arrogance just more of the same for anyone who's seen the films--and who besides the films' fans would plunk down the money for this book? Stephen Colbert has done wonders with his similarly broad-brushed character, but this is second-tier stuff. Even if Burgundy (or whoever the writer is) occasionally lands a point, it seems almost accidental, as when Burgundy senior tells his anchor-boy son, "Ron, sometimes people don't want the truth. They just want the news." A stocking stuffer for die-hard Burgundians or a gag gift to bring to Wes Mantooth's holiday party, but nothing more than that.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Excerpts
Excerpts
AUTHOR'S NOTE It took me eight years to write this book. The research alone--fact-checking, reading the source materials, asking questions--was endless and I didn't care for it that much. I just didn't. But I persisted because I knew what I was doing was truly very important. A book is never the work of one man. Many people contribute to its failure, or as in this case, its success. Dorathoy Roberts at the Harvard Widener Library was instrumental in recovering so many facts and nautical terms. Janart Prancer aided my work immensely with her near-encyclopedic understanding of rare manuscripts in the Herzog August Library, Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Esther Nausbaum, head librarian at the prestigious Kirkland School of Dinosaurs, was instrumental in tracking down indispensable paleoecological records for chapter 15 in this book. Herb Kolowsky was ever watchful and patient, reading over many drafts of the manuscript as well as cleaning my gutters. I consulted with my dear friend and lover Doris Kearns Goodwin over many breakfasts in bed. Her sharp intellect and sharper teeth found their way into practically every page. Although we are no longer lovers because I don't know why, her knowledge of presidential history is the basis for chapter 12. Her dogged enthusiasm for the project was only outpaced by her enthusiasm for lovemaking, which I could barely equal. I don't know what to say about Doris really except if she's still out there and she would like another bounce, I would be game. Johnny Bench was an invaluable spell-checker. Lars Mankike brought an artistic eye to the project and a kind of European nihilism that was completely unnecessary. We fought often and he got what he deserved, so I'm not even sure why I'm thanking him here, but it's too late now. Sandy Duncan is full of boundless energy. What can I say about Veronica Corningstone, the love of my life? We've had our ups and downs for sure, and usually the downs were because of something stupid she said or did while losing her blood. You really can't fault women for being irrational. Blood drips out of them willy-nilly and there's nothing they can do about it. It's like being a hemophiliac. I suspect science will one day cure them of this blood-dripping disease but until then, Vive la différence . Finally Baxter, my dog and best friend, saw me through many tough hours as I struggled with my emotions during this project. His love and support sustained me through extremely difficult excavations into my past. Only Baxter knows the pain I have lived. Our nightly talks formed the basis for what you hold in your hand now. WHY WRITE THIS BOOK? Does mankind really need another book dumped onto the giant garbage heap of books already out there? Is there some pressing desire for the wisdom of a humble News Anchor in this world? Will it add to the great literary achievements throughout time or will it be lost in a swamp of trivial scribbling like pornography--devoured and then destroyed out of shame? I stand here (I write standing up) and I say, "No!" No, this book will NOT be lost! This book is necessary. It's an important work from an important man. I was the number one News Anchor in all of San Diego. My name is Ron Burgundy and what you have in your hands is a very big deal. It's...my...life. It's my words. It's my gift to you. Excerpted from Let Me off at the Top!: My Classy Life and Other Musings by Ron Burgundy All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
