Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

By: Steve Martin

Narrated by: Steve Martin

Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In the mid-70s, 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. Born Standing Up is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away".

At age 10 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.

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 60s, and the transformative new voice of Saturday Night Live in the 70s.

©2007 Steve Martin (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc.

excellent storytelling

a personal and funny autobiography. Told with humour and warmth and a good description of what it takes for a performer to make it.

Excellent, insightful book

Simply put... An extremely enjoyable read (listen). Steve Martin helps the reader (listener) understand why at the top of his profession he walked away.

Highly recommend this one.

Enjoyed this very much.

It was a pleasurable listen as Steve recounts his historical career. Laughed out loud several times as backstage stories take you into the life and lessons as we move through this world trying to make the best of it. Stevie's courage to press on and pursue dreams motivates the listener to fave the reality, we only live once.

Great insight and history

a wonderful memoir by an incredible performer, writer and philosopher. I never truly appreciated my appreciation for Steve Martin and his work until listening to this title.
I made so many bookmarks, I may as well listen to the whole thing again.

Moving, insightful, inspiring and yes..a bit quirky

Wow. This was my single best purchase on audible so far. I highly recommend. I will listen to this audio book over and over. I laughed out loud a few times and was also brought to tears during Steve's life story.

I have been a fan of Steve Martin since I fell in love with Saturday Night Live....going on 40 years. I have learned that he is not just a comedian but a musician, writer, and thoughtful actor. This autobiography to me was yes a great story but it also dimensionalized his vulnerability, his process, his fears and his flaws.

I applaud not only his willingness to share a very personal journey of introspection but also the thoughtful rambling man storytelling approach and the real life anecdotes and long since forgotten gags, lines and strange stunts which I didn't get to see as his career took shape.

What a great peek into the life and career of a comedy pioneer who also captured my heart in City Slickers and Father of the Bride. I highly, HIGHLY recommend.

One of the Best Books About Standup

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Anyone pursuing comedy themselves, or simply fans of Steve Martin would get a lot of out hearing him tell the story of his career.

What other book might you compare Born Standing Up to and why?

It's a comedy memoir similar to Tina Fey's Bossypants or Amy Poehler's Yes Please in that they talk about the evolution of their careers from a young age.

What does Steve Martin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I've read the book several times before listening to the audiobook, and there's no question I took more away hearing Steve Martin tell the story himself. His inflection and timing on jokes he's talking really add something.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Hearing this book I laughed out loud multiple times. Most of the focus is on his comedy career, but there are emotional moments as well.

Any additional comments?

I continue to recommend this book to comedians I know and fans of Steve Martin as a great look at the process of comedy and performing.

Absolutely loved it!

Made my week. Honest, compelling, story of an entertainers rise to.stardom. Could have been longer is my only complaint.

I truly enjoyed listening to this book,
Steve hit on many things we all go through in life.
We all have struggles and those hard times make us the person we are. Thank you Steve

Great Stand-Up Memoir

Being a fan of stand-up comics, and a huge Steve Martin fan, I was drawn to this book. Listening to Martin himself narrate it was even better. He tells his story in a very conversational manner, and you feel like he's speaking to you on a personal level. The laughs aren't as huge as his comic routines, but there are plenty sprinkled in. Highly recommend it as a listen!

Like smooth OJ

Still good but missing some juicy bits. Decent chronological account of the younger years of being a comic in those times.