Born Standing Up
Autobiography
By Steve Martin
Reviewed by Peter Ortu
Rated 4.5/5 stars
“Despite a lack of natural ability, I did have the one element necessary to all early creativity: naïveté, that fabulous quality that keeps you from knowing just how unsuited you are for what you are about to do.”
In this New York Times bestselling autobiography, Emmy and Grammy winner Steve Martin tells the story an eight year old selling tourist maps in the newly made Disney Land park becoming the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In his book, he explains his creative journey from wanting to be a magician, to wanting to be banjo player, to wanting to be a comedian, to becoming a film maker. His uniqueness and originality made him a comedic superstar and he doesn’t stop using that originality in this memoir that will have you laughing out loud one minute due to the comedic genius and worried the next due to the tragedy and sorrow his fame brought him.
This book is definitely one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. While a lot of people look at fame as a great life in which all you need is talent for a great life, Steve Martin shows the isolation and sadness performing can bring. Anyone who thinks they want to be known as a performer should definitely read this book for a more realistic look at the life they desire.
