Born Standing Up Book Reviews

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Born Standing Up is hard to put down. Just finished reading Steve Martin’s autobiography “Born Standing Up”. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and recommend it for any fan of Steve, or of comedy or show business in general. I am a few years younger than Steve, and have followed and enjoyed his career for many years. I could relate when Steve revealed that his father never did “get” is act. While my brother and I loved Steve’s TV appearances, our dad hated them. We loved Steve’s movie “The Jerk”, but our dad, predictably, would not sit through it. By Steve’s own admission, his act broke new ground and was designed to appeal to a younger audience. The fact that our fathers didn’t “get” it is therefore understandable. If you are 80+ years old, you probably will not appreciate this book. But younger readers, especially those who have seen Steve’s stand up act, or listened to his comedy records, will thoroughly enjoy it. If you don’t, well excuuuuuuuse me!

Brings back memories!. I was 14 when I saw Steve Martin in concert in Greensboro, NC. I loved his comedy, still do! The book gives perspective on where it all came from. Good read!

Wow. Inspiring, informative, and very interesting. I love how well written it is as well.

Now I know. Having been a fan of Mr Martin since the mid-70s, I was excited to experience this book. Actually, my introduction to his craziness occurred when I was serving in the Navy in Japan. At that time, I had gotten into the habit of saying (in Japanese) SU-MI-MA-SEEEEEN! - roughly translated EX-CUZ MEEEEEE! A dear friend had written me a letter stating that I would really like this new comedian "back home" who reminded him of me. What a compliment that turned out to be. Steve Martin's humor is my humor - and as it turned out - a LOT of people's humor. After reading this book, I now know how it started. I was surprised to discover that there's a LOT of work involved in spontaneous comedy and Mr. Martin is a genius at it. There are a very few people in this world whom I truly wish to meet before I pass on. Mr. Martin is one. That desire is only greater now that I've read this wonderful recollection of a very talented man.

Easy and charming. Having been a fan since the first time I ever got small, I was enthused to read this book. I found it to have fantastic pace, with an easy narrative style that was simultaneously informative and warm. This is a great read.

Expecting more stories. Steve Martin knows how to write. He knows how to engage audiences. He knows how to combine the two. He simply needed to write more. Within a 10+ year span of life, he had a set of experiences (and at a time of unbridled creativity in this country) that he skimmed with us. I wished for more stories of his interactions with his peers. Stories of the road more than just telling us over and over that he took the audience outside. And, quite frankly, more of his life AFTER standup. This was merely the teaser for the full autobiography.

One of the best!. I don't mean one of Steve Martin's best. I mean one of the best books I have ever read. I tried to read it slow, not wanting it to end. Always making me smile and laugh out loud, the end was so moving I had tears running down my cheeks. Thank you for this.

Thank you Steve!!!. Amazing and inspirational insight into the making and genius of the greatest comic of our time. Steve’s reflections take me back to 1979 when I would listen to my parents albums of none other than Mr Wild and Crazy Guy himself. And although I don’t know why his skits including Let’s Get Small were so funny to an 11 year old boy they are part of my psyche and make me laugh on the inside every time. It’s like humming your favorite tune but not actually ever knowing the real lyrics. It’s genius and deep within us!! Thank you Steve for sharing!

FitPhilathrope. Absolutely fascinating and entertaining.

Wonderful read. Direct, honest and yes, funny. I've always been a Martin fan, but it's great to piece it all together. Like Navin Johnson, he tells his story wonderfully and even though there isn't a Bernadette Peters, to sing a great sensitive duet like, 'Tonight You Belong to Me', it sometimes feels like there is. A real fun read.

Born Standing Up. I was surprised at this revealing crystallization of Steve Martin's life. While some passages are stamped "poignant" or sharply edged, there is no superfluous fluff spinning out the sentences. I was taken with his portrayal of a dad in Parenthood, and am most aware that, while he was screamingly funny while performing his stand up act, his writing leaves me heart-sore. I wonder if anyone's life is easy.

A Gem. Steve Martin's autobiography is a gem -- a small perfectly faceted memoir about how (and why) he became a comedic icon. His book entertainingly describes the long, often difficult journey Martin traveled in order to become an "overnight sensation." Like all great craftsmen, when he was at the top of his game Martin made what he did look effortless and spontaneous -- but behind that "effortless" facade were years of trial and error spent refining his craft. In "Born Standing Up" Martin draws the curtain aside, and allows us see some of the elements that went into making "Steve Martin the Comic." And what a comic he was. Seldom, if ever, has any other comedian approached Martin's success at melding absurdity, goofiness, intelligence, cleverness, and outright fall down funniness in such a seamless whole. He was "insider hip" without being mean spirited or condescending about it, and we were all welcomed to be on the inside with him.

Neither mild nor lazy, nor just a guy. Steve Martin has written an admirably concise and yet remarkably deep and moving memoir of his trajectory towards stand-up comedy greatness in the 1960s and '70s. Without resort to Proustian detail, Martin provides a surprising amount of insight into his intentions as a comedian, and the familial, personal, psychological and intellectual pathway to the apogee of his standup career. He convincingly describes his reasons for ending that part of his professional life. This book is admirable for its spare writing style, its honesty, and for the author's willingness to note the interesting friends he made along the way without descending into anything like a tell-all motif. There is also a fair amount of Martin's dry wit, and an interesting degree of comic self-criticism. This is a fast must-read for anyone who loves comedy, and also for those who want some insight into the persistent hard work and, yes, luck from which success is derived - in any field.

Born Standing UP.. Really enjoyed the book . Steve can really wtite an hold your attention .

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