- Hardcover: 338 pages
- Publisher: Harper & Row; [1st ed.] edition (1959)
- Language English
- ASIN: B0006AVZ2Q
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 14.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,817,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #53 in Books > Biography > Theatre & Performance Art > Dancers
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It was a pleasure and an exciting thrill to read about Fred Astaire's life in his own words up until the late 1950s, at some points you really did feel like you were there, even when he talked about places or films you've never seen or even heard of! The ups and downs of Astaire's life are thought provoking and inspirational. There are parts where everyone can fit into Astaire's shoes; he seems to reflect on everyone's life in some way or another. This is a brilliant autobiography, it is one of the best I have ever read and I recommend it to all Astaire fans or people who are interested in taking a career in the theatre or on the stage.
63 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
STEPS IN TIME is a must for fans of Fred Astaire. It is important to bear in mind - and this book helps remind us - that Astaire was first and foremost one of the most talented dancers of the 20th Century, as well as a superlative musician. He was not, however, a writer and is candid about his lack of literary ambition. In spite of its 'unliterary' style, STEPS IN TIME is a fascinating read. It is an authentic testimony of someone who, for many of us, represents the song-and-dance-man par excellence, about the Vaudeville circuit and the making of some of the best known Hollywood musicals.
Astaire is sparing with personal details, using them chiefly as a framework for the history of his impressive career. In spite of his self-professed amateur status as a writer, he succeeds in transporting us to the legendary world of stage and film entertainment, often relating very interesting and funny episodes involving musical heros, such as Gershwin, Berlin and Ziegfeld. He also gives us a portrayal of stars such as Ginger Rogers and of his own, talented sister - the unimitable Adele. Yet, Astaire is always candid about his own flaws, both personal and professional.
STEPS IN TIME offers a unique insight into a world where perfectionism was not just a quality but a professional necessity.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just started reading this and am really enjoying it. The book has some nice photo's of Fred at various stages in his career - with sister Adele as a child and on through his stage performances and movies. Great to learn his history "from the horse's mouth". Fred's writing style is very conversational and to the point. I can almost hear his voice when I'm reading it, which is nice.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Lighter than air, tougher than teak
This autobiography reflects Fred Astaire's screen persona: grace, charm and skill delivered with no apparent effort. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Friend of Dorothy
Interesting read
I became curious about Fred Astaire through watching his films. It was interesting to read Steps in Time and found out information about the man and his journey into dancing. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sue
Great insight into the legendary performer
Having grown up watching Fred Astaire films from the 1930s on TV as a child I was keen to find out more about his background. This autobiography was written before the 1970s. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Happyuser
Recent Fan
I recently became a fan of Fred after watching a YouTube of Pick Yourself Up from Swing Time. Flawless, light-hearted, graceful - it just grabbed me. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Frugalsnail
An easy going read
This autobiography from Fred Astaire is just what you'd expect as it's like the man himself. It's stylish, easy going and entertaining. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2009 by Mr. A. Whiteside
Astaire's memories
This works well with other books such as Ginger's autobiography and other biographies. By itself it does not have loads of juicy stories as his style is not charismatic but does... Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by H. Birtwell-Franklin
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