The Last Bus to Albuquerque

by Lewis Grizzard, Gerrie Ferris Finger (Editor)

A New York Times bestseller, this commemorative edition includes more than sixty of Lewis' previously uncollected columns and rare photographs.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Essays, Biography

235 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 2001

About the author

American writer and humorist, known for his Southern demeanor and commentary on the American South. Although he spent his early career as a newspaper sports writer and editor, becoming the sports editor of the Atlanta Journal at age 23, he is much better known for his humorous newspaper columns in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a popular stand-up comedian & lecturer.

Grizzard also published a total of twenty-five books, including collections of his columns (e.g. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night), expanded versions of his stand-up comedy routines (I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962), and the autobiographical If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground. Although much of his comedy discussed the South and Grizzard’s personal and professional lives, it was also a commentary on issues prevalent throughout America, including relationships between men and women (e.g. If Love Were Oil, I'd Be About a Quart Low), politics, and health, especially heart health.

He made us laugh and think at the same time. Indeed, during his lifetime, Lewis Grizzard heard himself described as "this generation's Mark Twain," "one of the foremost humorists in the country" and "a Faulkner for plain folks" by the national press. What he was, without a doubt, was a masterful storyteller, stand-up comedian, syndicated columnist and best selling author.

Lewis Grizzard Museum: http://newnan.com/lg/

New Georgia Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ng...

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

RE-READ
I will always love Lewis’ writing but reading this again over 30 years after his death, it hits differently than it did all those years ago.
Reading Lewis Grizzard will make you laugh so hard it hurts. And then losing Lewis too early and sharing that loss with those who knew and loved him will make you cry so hard it hurts. When I got to eat at Lewis' favorite BBQ joint in Atlanta, I almost cried.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lewis Grizzard was an author/columnist with a sense of timing like the greatest of comedians. He was that in print.
Unfortunately, we lost him on March 20, 1994, when I was still writing sports in San Antonio. A lot of people noticed his passing. He had been a very effective, folksy Southern writer until heart problems claimed him in his late 40s. I still believe I can learn from him.
A younger person once told me he didn't want to read anything from a dead author. I was somewhat shocked but remembered that sometimes it takes a while to learn. Grizzard was definitely good enough to keep teaching by example long after his passing. I read his book for humor and education.
I started reading a copy back in Texas before madly charging off to China to teach for six years. I believe I unwisely stashed my Last Bus edition with some other books left to a fledgling Laredo bookstore. I found this copy in a Goodwill store here in Georgia. I finally let myself finish it just a few minutes ago.
Lewis Grizzard will always be great on a daily basis.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this just enough years late to see how conservative he was. His take on things not political are still very humorous and fun but I wonder would I still be reading his column were he writing today

[Harron68 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. It's a memorial edition of the hard-living, multi-marriage disaster columnist, Lewis Grizzard. I was surprised at how he could make the mundane so mundane. He praised Mike Royko in one column, and there I can agree. Royko and numerous others were more imaginative and clever in their writing.
The forward (?) explains about Grizzard's heart troubles and relatively short life. It also informs that Lewis was an unapologetic "good old boy" who couldn't comprehend feminiism, the negative aspects of how the South still grips tight to all matters Confederate, anything about homosexuality, and more.
I don't say the pieces included are diatribes of un-P.C.ism, only that they don't bring much new to the table about Southern life that is well-crafted. So many others from the South have been more insightful, interesting and often funnier. Sorry, Mr. G. three generous stars for the old bulldog.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sampling of some of the columns he wrote in his last few years of life. He oftentimes examined his life as I believe he felt like his end was near. Always a great read if written by LG. He had a way of writing nostalgia that left you hungry for another time and another place. The tribute pieces written by friends and colleagues in the front were also very good reads about, arguably, my favorite Southern humorist ever.

[Bart Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this collection of tributes and columns to and by Grizzard. Hard to believe he passed away in 1994, and at the age of 47. This collection of columns still reads as fresh as if they had been written within the past few years, and they are still just as insightful and humorous.

[Dru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a collection of the articles this author had in newspapers. OK book.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another find on my bookshelf

[Charles Lovelace, III]

A compilation of columns written toward the last part of Grizzard's life. As always, some very touching, some humorous but all an enjoyable read.

[John Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately funny columns from Grizzard's final years. Does contain his ode to his pet dog, which might be the most heartfelt column he ever wrote.

[Tricia Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Every time I read this, I laugh and cry and just marvel at the wit and humor of the late Lewis Grizzard!! He is quite possibly the best newspaper columnist EVER! This go around when I read it, I couldn't help but think what great material Grizzard would have in this day and time with the crazy way the world has gone given his quickness to talk about his love of all things Southern and his disgust of all things Atheist, Liberal, and political correctness. He could have a field day! Some of his columns from the early 1990s touch on things that today have gone wild in the news in recent months. Good ol' Grizzard would have said what he thought and dared someone to approach him about it. Great guy who is greatly missed!

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Lewis Grizzard's last book, published posthumously. This commemorative edition has a section of essays/letters/eulogies written by friends of Grizzard at the beginning. For me, once I got past that section and into Grizzard's actual columns, the book got much better. I was particularly amused by the fact that some of his columns from the early 1990's covered things that are happening today. I guess it just goes to show how things have a way of coming back around. I think people who enjoy Dave Barry would also enjoy Lewis Grizzard. Grizzard is a little more conservative, but still funny nevertheless.

[Kyrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I'd get a lot of laughs out of this book because Grizzard made me laugh when I was in my teens. I wonder, if he'd lived, if I'd have still laughed at his columns. Andy Rooney used to make me smile because he was sort of like a curmudgeonly old relative. Would Grizzard have become the same sort of writer?
There were a couple columns that were still funny. I really didn't like all the introductory columns from other writers about how they felt about Grizzard.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been quite a while since I read a Lewis Grizzard book and it occurred to me about a chapter into this book that ol' Lewis and I sit on very opposite ends of the political spectrum and I just didn't enjoy this like I thought I would. I still think he was a funny writer, but I couldn't get past the major issues I had with some of his views.

[Rkb 2015 · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I wasn't sure how to shelve this one. The different columns mentions several different states, but they weren't necessarily the focus of what was being discussed. I settled on Georgia because that is the author's home and it is mentioned the most.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was written before his last surgery. He was reasonably sure he wasn't going to make it through it. He didn't. Humorous to the end I miss his attitude and view of life.

[Gerrie Finger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited this book after Grizzard died. He and I were colleagues at The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

[Ann Ault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him. He makes me laugh so hard I can't tell others why I am laughing, I just shove the book in front of them and point.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never a bad one

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was ok

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 2002

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and well written. Wish I had read his columns when he was alive.