Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life - Softcover

Martin, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847391486 ISBN 13: 9781847391483

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, 2008

Synopsis

Steve Martin has been an international star for over thirty years. Here, for the first time, he looks back to the beginning of his career and charmingly evokes the young man he once was.

Born in Texas but raised in California, Steve was seduced early by the comedy shows that played on the radio when the family travelled back and forth to visit relatives. When Disneyland opened just a couple of miles away from home, an enchanted Steve was given his first chance to learn magic and entertain an audience. He describes how he noted the reaction to each joke in a ledger - 'big laugh' or 'quiet' - and assiduously studied the acts of colleagues, stealing jokes when needed. With superb detail, Steve recreates the world of small, dark clubs and the fear and exhilaration of standing in the spotlight. While a philosophy student at UCLA, he worked hard at local clubs honing his comedy and slowly attracting a following until he was picked up to write for TV. From here on, Steve Martin became an acclaimed comedian, packing out venues nationwide. One night, however, he noticed empty seats and realised he had 'reached the top of the rollercoaster'.

BORN STANDING UP is a funny and riveting chronicle of how Steve Martin became the comedy genius we now know and is also a fascinating portrait of an era.

About this title

Review:

"Absolutely magnificent. One of the best books about comedy and being a comedian ever written."- Jerry Seinfeld, "GQ"

About the Author:

Steve Martin was born in Texas in 1945. Famed for his stand up comedy and performances in hit comedy films, he is also a writer, producer, musician and composer.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1847391486
• ISBN 13: 9781847391483
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224