Born Standing Up
A Comic's Life
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Born Standing Up
Buy Now for $17.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Steve Martin
-
Written by:
-
Steve Martin
About this listen
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.What the critics say
"Absolutely magnificent. One of the best books about comedy and being a comedian ever written." (Jerry Seinfeld)
What listeners say about Born Standing Up
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Dylan Wilson
- 2023-02-20
Great for comedy nerds
I enjoyed learning about the struggle of an up and coming comic to find their voice and then success. Good listen short but sweet.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2018-04-18
Steve Martin
Used to crack me up. Very nostalgic. Wish I had started listening to books earlier
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cameron
- 2022-04-02
Not necessarily what you might expect
Too short sadly :) It kind of ends where his wild success began. The artistic insights are profound, however, and I would recommend it to those who like Steve Martin. Lastly, I wouldn't have minded a bit more banjo. CS
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joelle
- 2018-01-27
Wonderful Memoir
Thoroughly enjoyed getting to know about the life of one of my favorite comedians.
I loved learning about how much thought he out in to creating a new kind of comedy.
The banjo in between sections was a lovely touch.
Solid memoir, would definitely recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Shelby Ch'ng
- 2024-01-03
Great story but a little sad that SM seems...
I am a fan of Steve Martin's work. I grew up watching him. The book is well told and his standup stories are engaging. There is something about this story though that I find aloof. I can't quite put my finger on it though.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Will P
- 2019-12-24
Really enjoyable
Really enjoyable and Steve Martin as they narrator was a huge bonus. Wish it was longer and would love to hear about the rest of his life after stand up. Highly recommend this audiobook. Makes me want to go re-watch all his movies and concerts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arden Dunfield
- 2024-07-13
Great listen!
I totally enjoyed listening to the author reading his book. Such a great look at Steve Martin's journey in his stand up career.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deena G.
- 2018-10-30
A raw and introspective novel
What a great autobiography by Steve Martin, exploring his rise to fame and shedding light on his anxieties and securities that came with that success.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Valerie Epp
- 2023-02-23
Honest and funny
I was sorry that the biography ended after 4 hours, I was enjoying it so much. I always liked Steve Martin and now I like him even more. Made me want to listen to his comedy albums. Thank you Steve Martin.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2019-08-01
Brilliant!!!
Thank you Steve Martin for sharing your journey, struggles, and triumphs. Didn’t want the book to end.....
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!