Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

By: Steve Martin

Narrated by: Steve Martin

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.

Critic reviews

2008 Grammy Nominee, Best Spoken Word Album

"Absolutely magnificent. One of the best books about comedy and being a comedian ever written." (Jerry Seinfeld)

Steve Martin is brilliant

I had never realized how innovative Steve Martin's humor was. I had only enjoyed it immensely since first experiencing it on SNL and his standup albums. He reads in a rather flat voice but it is Steve himself and that makes it so special. I have trouble imagining reading the book when I can hear it in his own voice. Insightful and revealing. Even touching.

A master

I loved hearing Martin's point of view of his rise from amusement park worker to SNL and Hollywood. Some great stories, told by the man himself. You come out understanding why he rose so far, and how he burned out on standup. It's amazing how much though went into what seemed like a freeform act. And you get why he decided it was time to move on.

Highly recommended.

The Little Engine That Could

I was hooked right from the start. At the beginning of the book, Steve Martin writes about his unhappy childhood. He said, of his father: "evidently he saved his vibrant personality for use away from the family." The book is charming and funny, and reveals what an original thinker Steve Martin is, and the doggedness it took to succeed. It was inspiring.

Steve Martin should narrate everything

I'm a fan of stand-up and a fan of Steve Martin, but I've never really been a fan of Steve Martin's stand-up. this memoir helped me understand exactly why: he broke the mold. The insight he shares by reading this book is a perfect partnership (he sings several parts, making me appreciate the audiobook over the written version). He is a brilliant storyteller and I've thoroughly enjoyed the peek inside his mind.

A winner

I wasnt sure when i downloaded this audible as i am not that familiar with steve martin although i recall dirty rotten scoundrels was a favourite movie growing up. I found his story fascinating and relatable and having the book read by steve martin was a plus. Very inspiring story.

Great listen

This book greatly exceeded my expectations. Steve's story is one we can all relate to, famous or not. I learned a lot about comedy, but the real hear and soul of this book is Steve's own personal journey. It is definitely a worthwhile listen.

Easy listening, entertaining and insightful

Where does Born Standing Up rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to several audio books here on audible and Born Standing Up: was terrific.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Steve Martin does a fantastic job telling the story of his struggle to success while sharing the humility of being a comic.

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

Steve's voice makes the story come to life.

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

No extreme reaction here, but if you are looking for understanding of why or how Steve was able to reach meteoric success in ten years, I think you will find plenty of ah ha moments.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend, Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life.

Comedic Genius

As an improviser and lover of comedy, I found this story fascinating. Martin narrating his own story was what really made me want to listen, and he does a masterful job.

It was cool to hear that his story intertwined with my own, intersecting, years apart, in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Gave me Happy Feet

What did you love best about Born Standing Up?

I bought this audiobook expecting some comedy, but what it delivered was an insight into the making of a career and a life--exactly what a good autobiography should be, even though at one time, Mr. Martin says he feels like he's writing about someone else's life. Steve Martin is a good storyteller. He gives us his triumphal moments as well as his anguish, without being overwrought. The story was always engaging and often surprising.

His voice, as we know, is very pleasant, and more pleasant still is that he reads with emphasis and diction, and just the right amount of emotion. You might think that's to be expected from a person in show business, but it's true that there are several audiobooks out there that have been slaughtered by actors who are bad readers.

On both counts, story and delivery, this one is a good pick.

Short but meaningful.

This compact book brings to mind the virtues of brevity as E. B. White taught them in the Elements of Style. It is compact, but meaningful.