Suddenly finding himself with a lot of time on his hands during the pandemic, Kevin Fitzgerald decided to follow advice he’d been getting for years and write a book. In It Started with a Turtle, the Denver-based veterinarian, comedian, and former rock-and-roll bouncer takes readers on an unforgettable journey through five distinct chapters of his life.
“I have been very lucky and have had a wonderful life,” Fitzgerald says. “I wanted to get all my stories down in one place before I died.”
The book traces Fitzgerald’s upbringing in a traditional Irish Catholic family in the 1950s, his years working security for legendary rock bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who; his four-decade-long career as a veterinarian (including eleven seasons on Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets and E-vet Interns); his time performing standup comedy alongside icons like Joan Rivers, Norm Macdonald, Kevin Nealon, Kathleen Madigan, Craig Ferguson, and George Lopez; and his work in global conservation efforts in the Arctic, Antarctica, Mongolia, and the Everglades.
“My hope is the book captures the passion and essence of my time, the spirit of a generation, and is an unblinking look at a life well-lived,” Fitzgerald says. “All of this is delivered through charming and often humorous stories.”
With a foreword by comedian and The Simpsons writer Dana Gould and a jacket cover designed by Denver designer and creative director Ellen Bruss, it’s clear that Fitzgerald is held in high regard both locally and nationally. It Started with a Turtle is an adventure-filled memoir that will appeal to animal lovers, music fans, comedy enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a great story.
