All Over the Map

AN INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2022 STEPHEN LEACOCK MEDAL

“In these times of anxiety and social combat over COVID-19, laughter is closer to medicine than merriment, and All Over The Map provides plenty… . While the rants and wisecracks are still there in spades, quite a few of his words on paper are kindly and persuasive, and you feel at home with him. He’s a good writer.” —Winnipeg Free Press

“One thing Ron James has always been is a writer. And the journals he kept along the way helped him write his new book, All Over the Map. The book is full of Ron’s encounters with memorable strangers from the road as well as his childhood growing up in Nova Scotia. And I mentioned his use of language? It is jaw-dropping.” —Tom Power, q, CBC

“Ron James offers a hilarious tour through some of the unfunny realities of life as a Canadian comedian—enough to make a grown-up laugh and cry, cringe and think.” —Linden MacIntyre

“This book is more than just another funny memoir. It’s an eloquent and beautiful tribute to this great country ours and the wonderful people who populate, written by one of Canada’s greatest comedians. Hilarious, poignant and perceptive, the stories will stay with you long after your laughter has subsided. Read slowly. You’ll miss it when it’s gone.” —Mark Critch

“A virtuosic piece of brilliantly spun storytelling. Wonderfully entertaining.” —Ottawa Life Magazine

Praise for Ron James:

“Insightful, clever and witty.” —Toronto Star

“A master comedian with a distinctly Canadian viewpoint.” —St. John’s Telegram

“A high wire act of hilarity.” —Edmonton Journal

“A virtuoso comedic performance.” —The Globe and Mail

“Scarcely time to breath between helpless fits of laughter.” —Chronicle Herald

Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and primarily raised in Halifax, Ron James moved to Toronto after graduating from Acadia University with a BA in History. He joined the renowned comedy institution, Second City, in Toronto.

In 1990, he relocated to Los Angeles with his young family after being cast in the syndicated series My Talk Show by Imagine Entertainment. Following the show’s cancellation, he pursued sitcom opportunities for three years but faced periods of unemployment and financial hardship. Upon returning to Toronto in 1993, he documented his Los Angeles experiences in his critically acclaimed one-man show, Up and Down in Shaky Town: One Man’s Journey Through the California Dream. This experience propelled him into stand-up comedy.

After five years performing in Toronto clubs, Ron was invited to headline the inaugural season of CTV’s Comedy Network, with Shaky Town receiving a ninety-minute special. In the following years, he was recognized as Comedian of the Year at the Canadian Comedy Awards, appeared multiple times at Just for Laughs, the Halifax and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals, and the Edinburgh Festival. He also starred in his own two-season television series, Blackfly, which aired on Global.

Following Blackfly’s conclusion, Ron embarked on extensive touring. Just for Laughs commissioned a one-man show, The Road Between My Ears, which in 2003 became the first of a record nine one-hour CBC specials. These specials became a New Year’s Eve viewing tradition, annually attracting 1.4 million Canadian viewers. Ron also hosted a five-year CBC series, The Ron James Show.

Ron is a recipient of an honorary Doctorate in the Humanities from Acadia University. He divides his time between Toronto and Nova Scotia.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.