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Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

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About this listen

 Steve Martin's riveting, mega-bestselling, beloved, and highly acclaimed memoir of a life, a vocation, and an era—named one of the ten best nonfiction titles of the year by Time and Entertainment Weekly.

In the mid-seventies, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. This book is, in his own words, the story of “why I did stand-up and why I walked away.”

Emmy and Grammy Award–winner, author of the acclaimed New York Times bestsellers Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker, Martin has always been a writer. His memoir of his years in stand-up is candid, spectacularly amusing, and beautifully written.

At age ten Martin started his career at Disneyland, selling guidebooks in the newly opened theme park. In the decade that followed, he worked in the Disney magic shop and the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm, performing his first magic/comedy act a dozen times a week. The story of these years, during which he practiced and honed his craft, is moving and revelatory. The dedication to excellence and innovation is formed at an astonishingly early age and never wavers or wanes.

Martin illuminates the sacrifice, discipline, and originality that made him an icon and informs his work to this day. To be this good, to perform so frequently, was isolating and lonely. It took Martin decades to reconnect with his parents and sister, and he tells that story with great tenderness. Martin also paints a portrait of his times—the era of free love and protests against the war in Vietnam, the heady irreverence of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late sixties, and the transformative new voice of Saturday Night Live in the seventies.

Throughout the text, Martin has placed photographs, many never seen before. Born Standing Up is a superb testament to the sheer tenacity, focus, and daring of one of the greatest and most iconoclastic comedians of all time.©2007 Steve Martin; (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Comedy Memoir Magic

Critic Reviews

"Absolutely magnificent. One of the best books about comedy and being a comedian ever written." - Jerry Seinfeld, GQ
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All stars
Most relevant
I need 15 words to submit my review of the book so apple car box stapler

noooiiice book <br />

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My husband and I enjoyed listening to Steve’s story and his journey to be successful in what he Does. What we learned that to be successful, he was persistence, hard working, constantly re invent himself, and had great self belief in what he does, which are the values we wish to teach our children. We like his personal story not just about how he achieved success, but more about the struggle with his family, early career challenges, and impact on his personal life when become a celebrity. We all know Steve Martin the comedian, but not the real Steve Martin behind this persona. Thank you for sharing such a deep and personal story.

Great story with truth about personal struggles

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With Covid being Covid I have not read a book for quite a while. As a Nurse in Quarantine Hotels it’s very difficult to concentrate on such activities but Steve Martin telling his own story has made we Re engage & enjoy the book via audio oh yeah plus the banjo playing was fun. From Sydney down under 🙃🌺

Enjoyable & interesting

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I love Steve Martin's comedy and this is such an interesting story. Unfortunately, audible books are like a lullaby for me, so I miss bits here and there throughout. Think I had better stick to written word.
Would recommend this book tho' to others who delight in his offbeat wit, if they don't have my annoying problem.

A funny and original guy

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One of the all-time great autobiographies, particularly of a comedian. Just brilliant and wonderfully narrated by the great man himself. Loved it. Wanted more, but I guess a comedian always tries to leave you wanting more, rather than overstaying their welcome on stage.

High recommend.

Wonderful Insight, Masterfully Told

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