Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

Steve Martin

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin is a captivating memoir that takes readers behind the scenes of the renowned comedian's life and career.

In this introspective and humorous account, Martin chronicles his journey from a young boy with a passion for magic and comedy, to becoming one of the biggest stand-up comedians of all time. He details the triumphs, struggles, and sacrifices that shaped him as an artist and helped him pursue his dreams.

Martin offers an intimate look at the early days of his career, performing at small clubs and honing his craft to perfection. He shares anecdotes from his time on "The Tonight Show" and his numerous appearances on Saturday Night Live, revealing the challenges he faced while trying to balance fame and integrity.

Throughout the book, Martin delves into the psychology of humor and explains his innovative approach to comedy. He explores the creative process behind his unforgettable performances, and the ongoing evolution of his comedic style.

But "Born Standing Up" is more than just a memoir of a successful entertainer. It's a story of personal growth and self-discovery. Martin reflects on his complicated relationship with his father, who played a pivotal role in his pursuit of comedy, and the emotional impact it had on him.

With his signature wit, Steve Martin takes readers on a captivating journey through his life, providing insights into the entertainment industry and sharing valuable lessons he learned along the way. "Born Standing Up" is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams.

Explore More Books

See All
A History of Western Technology
Taxes Have Consequences
The Box
The Healing Journey
The Oxford History of Britain
The River of Doubt
Road to Wigan Pier
The Opium of the Intellectuals
Fewer
Academically Adrift
Raising Girls
Sourdough Culture
The Immateriality of the Material
My Forty Years with Ford
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Visual Explanations
The Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug
More Than You Know
Prisoners of Geography
Netflixed
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
The Big Score
Trading Bases
Living With A SEAL
Trauma
Walden
Primed to Perform
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Flu
Getting to Maybe
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
The Poems of Dylan Thomas
The Farming Ladder
Harvesting the Biosphere
Red Notice
Confessions of a Philosopher
The 80/20 Principle
Leapfrog
How To Turn Down A Billion Dollars
The Plot Against the President
Check Your Financial Privilege
Knowledge and Decisions
Hagakure
City of the Century
An Apology for the Builder
Army Of None
Solution Selling
Andrew Carnegie
Essentialism
The Iliad
The Great Crash of 1929
Exit Interview
The Seventh Sense
First a Dream
The Fatal Conceit
The Way of Kings
True Enough
The Creative Curve
Rework
Alexander Hamilton
Portfolios of the Poor
The City In History
The House of Rothschild
Seeing Like a State
Paradigms Of A.I. Programming
Alpha Girls
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Well
Liberty Under Seige
I Seem To Be A Verb
The Hand
Race Matters
Empires of Light
Ask The Dust
The Eden Project
The Things They Carried
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Moby Dick
On Writing
The Great Challenge
Daring Greatly
The German Generals Talk
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Hansel and Gretel
Expert Political Judgement
Bossypants
The Sleepwalkers
Lean In
Fooled By Randomness
New Power
Whole Earth Discipline
Ham on Rye
Brave New Words
Hoover Dam
Out of Many, One
Travels with Charley
Cold Calling Techniques
Hamlet
The Black Jacobins
The Choice