Steve Martin: The Magic Years

by Morris Wayne Walker

Documents the wild and crazy years of the superstar of comedy, Steve Martin. This book talks about Steve's earliest days as the class clown through his struggling years on the road to his phenomenal success as a stand-up comic, movie star and producer. It includes wild and crazy antics, laughter, warmth and more comedy.

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Humor, Nonfiction, Audiobook

273 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Stephanie Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several biographies written by best friends of celebrities, but this one seemed a little off. There were things the author talked about that I'm not sure the private Steve Martin would like him revealing. He even talks about how private Steve is at many points in the book! Sometimes he seemed to talk more about himself than Steve. He vacillated between over praising Steve and being almost resentful of his success. I may wrong and Steve might completely approve of this book, but I found myself questioning certain parts. I need to read Steve's actual memoir to be sure.

[George Hamblen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed bag here. On the one side it’s was fun to learn the origins of excuse me and two wild and crazy guys, on the author goes into some very private items. The author also goes into two many tangents about his own family. The stories start to repeat as well. The bad outweighs the good.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting anecdotes if they're true, but I wonder about this since Steve Martin makes no mention of any of this in his autobiography.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great account of a wonderful comedic genius from a friend of his. I didn't have time to finish it but it was heartwarming and funny.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this falling asleep but I got most of it. Reads almost like a book report by an A student, but there are some good stories, and he seemed to be a good friend to Steve Martin.

[robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio. Gave up after 3%. I quickly came to the conclusion that I didn't really care all that much about Steve Martin, especially after already reading Pure Drivel and Born Standing Up by Steve.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and had me laughing several times.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book. The author has been friends with Steve Martin since childhood so the book is filled with all kinds of personal stories. It becomes clear how certain events and experiences have inspired Martin's work. We also see how Walker views his own career path in comparison to his lifelong friend's through the writer's reveals of his own struggles as an entertainer. As a Disney fan, I enjoyed the glimpses into early "D Land" (as Martin and Walker referred to their early place of employment, Disneyland). A recommended read for fans of Martin.

[Mtujohn · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you'd like to know a lot about the author, Morris Walker, then by all means read this.

Way too much fluff, obvious fluff, repetitive fluff.

As to Steve himself, I don't find Walker's analysis of Steve to be very insightful or necessary. Give me the facts and let me decide who Steve is; comments like "He is great" just don't add a lot of value.

[Slightly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can you include books that you stopped reading because they were so self involved. morris walker was Steve Martin's best friend. the book reads like he's also Martin's biggest fan and most resentful pier.

[Brent Benbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to understand what Steve was like from a childhood friends prospective. It would be hard to tell the story without learn some about the author, but he didn't try to make the book about him.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walker was a good friend of Martin's in high school and I enjoyed this book when I listened to it several years ago. It also provided a great backdrop for reading Martin's "Born Standing Up".

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually listened to on audiobook. It was a bit repetitive but all-in-all a very interesting look at Steve Martin's life.

[Sarah Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and loving tribute from a lifelong friend.