Ep. 200: Decoding the Deep Life

In 'Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life', Steve Martin provides a detailed and candid account of his journey from his childhood to his rise as a stand-up comedian. The book delves into his early jobs at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, his development as a magician and comedian, and the struggles and successes he faced in his career. Martin also explores his strained relationship with his family, particularly his father, and how he eventually reconnected with them. The memoir highlights the dedication, discipline, and originality that defined his career and explains why he chose to leave stand-up comedy in 1981 to pursue other creative ventures. The book includes photographs and offers a unique insight into the life of one of the most iconic comedians of his time.

The book recounts the story of Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who vanished in the Amazon jungle in 1925 while searching for a fabled city he called 'Z'. David Grann delves into Fawcett's expeditions, using previously unseen diaries and correspondence to reconstruct the events leading up to Fawcett's disappearance. The narrative is a mix of biography, detective story, and adventure tale, highlighting the dangers and mysteries of the Amazon jungle and the obsessive nature of Fawcett's quest. Grann's own journey into the jungle to uncover the truth adds an additional layer of suspense and personal risk to the story.

In 'Lost Moon', Samantha Moon faces new challenges and mysteries in her ongoing journey as a vampire and private investigator. This book is part of the larger Vampire For Hire series, which explores Samantha's life, her relationships, and her efforts to balance her supernatural existence with her human connections and professional duties.

Blood and Treasure tells the story of Daniel Boone, a legendary frontiersman, set against the backdrop of the brutal conflicts in 18th-century America. The book explores Boone's life and the broader historical context of the trans-Appalachian frontier, weaving together the stories of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who shaped this era.