The Steps: A Memoir
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A gritty, inspiring, heart-wrenching memoir by the Academy Award-winning legend and icon Sylvester Stallone, about his unlikely path to stardom and the creation of the greatest underdog story ever told.
In the fifty years since Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, he and those steps have become symbols of resilience and determination, and have inspired millions from all over the world to pursue their dreams. In The Steps, Stallone recounts how he pursued his own dreams. A culmination of decades of reflection, Stallone shares where he came from--a difficult birth, an even more difficult childhood, years of struggle in school being misunderstood--and he explains how the real story of a successful life is built by facing, embracing, and ultimately overcoming our challenges. It's found in the distances we are willing to go and the steps we must take to get from where we are to where we want to go.
In a narrative framed between his arrival in New York City in 1969 and the triumph of Rocky at the 1977 Academy Awards, Stallone weaves a vivid and propulsive portrait of struggle, subsistence, and ultimately success. He writes of his early days and later years, too, and the persistence, creativity, and resilience that led not only to the creation of Rocky but to a career filled with remarkably iconic roles. The Steps is a testament to Stallone's extraordinary life and a profound meditation on the importance of vision and willpower and hard work.
Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780063443914
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Sylvester Stallone
- Publisher
- William Morrow & Company
- Published Date
- September 29, 2026
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 304
As someone from Philadelphia listening to Sylvester Stallone tell his story made this book feel personal to me. I could hear his voice as if he were sitting in the same room telling the story. I loved hearing him talk about his own real life story. Fighting through rejection, struggles and setbacks while holding onto his dream of becoming recognized.
A real page turner!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!! If you're a Stallone fan like I am, I highly recommend this book. I collect anything Stallone related and this is a PERFECT addition to my collection. KEEP PUNCHIN 🥊🥊
A very inspiring and enjoyable book. Sylvester Stallone’s story shows how determination, hard work, and believing in yourself can help you overcome difficult moments. I really enjoyed reading about his journey and the lessons he learned along the way. Definitely worth reading!
Exemplary. A man to be admired. Sets a great example for the rest of us
Fabulous and well written!
I'm notorious for starting books and not finishing, not this one, picked it up and couldn't put it down, some great insights and correlations to movies Sly was in that I have never seen or hear of before, excellent read!
I just finished Sylvester Stallone's new memoir, The Steps. I devoured it in one sitting. In short, it's terrific - a literary knockout. Stallone is a wonderfully gifted writer and his story which ends with the making of Rocky is even more inspiring and stirring than the movie itself.I especially recommend it to anyone involved in entertainment. It's food to fuel you on in your own life's endeavors.
I’ve read so many books. Great books. This book, I think may top them all. The greatest underdog ever, was Rocky. Who learned everything he knew from Sly. Absolutely a great book!
The reviewer that gave this 3 stars saying it’s just about how he made Rocky obviously didn’t read the book. This is a great recap of Sly,s life. Great book.
The author has poured his heart into this book so it belongs in every library of the world. The detail conversational style writing and even being the best in all different movie industry careers, author is a good listener, dedicated to put in hard work, persistence, willpower, creativity, focus, and vision in achieving success to encourage every child in the world to face, overcome challenges and develop the winning spirit to achieve dreams.Pep talks to himself from age 10 helped author keep positive mindset during cleaning lion cages, seeing constructive way in discouragements, and keep moving forward.Supportive words from Director Dr. David Swanson, Mr.Henry Winkler, Mrs. Jane Oliver are encouraging. The cross country trip story is challenging and filled with sense of humour and kindness example, and getting his dog back are inspiring.Marine Ray Notaro trained author to be a fighter for the movie. I learned a lot from how author overcame challenges based on card dealt in life. Great job, Mr. Stallone! God bless USA for freedom, and opportunities.
I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS GOING TO BE A FULL BIO ON SYLVESTER STALLONE.THIS BOOK IS ALL ABOUT "ROCKY"THE MOVIE AND WHAT STEPS IT TOOK TO MAKE.
Epic. Truly inspiring person & incredible story. Grateful to know some of the life that went into the heart of Rocky.
Excellent book arrived THE DAY it was released. A+ All The Way !
I don’t have the words to express how Sylvester’s book has made me feel. All I can say is every time I feel like giving up and pain becomes too much from this point forward, I will remember a fellow brother who has walked a similar path and lived to tell the story. Thank God he made it and had the courage to share his experiences with the world. We need it.
This book was very inspiring, sad, and joyful. What a life he had to overcome to get where he is today. His childhood was undesirable and yet he persevered to make something of himself. A great read!!
This is one of the most inspiring stories of courage I have read in my life. Speaking from personal experience, with a loved one who has suffered PTSD from the same background, it gave me a deeper understanding of the deep pain that these victims experience. I have always admired the talent of this gifted actor and writer. This admiration goes even higher because of his brave heart. These people never totally heal from these experiences, but the learn to live their lives as fully as they can and it is especially important that they find a helpmate to love them for who they are in spite of the great pain they carry. His wife and his family are his "lifesavers" They love him and know his true value. I also read the book to to learn more on how I could help my loved one in his pain. We have been married for 60 years, and I really believe that Sly has found his love of his life with this beautiful loving women who gave herself to him for the rest of their married life.
Already started reading. Cant put it down. Sylvester Stallone is my favorite actor.
Sly is a true artist with a unique and indelible voice that comes through like a primal scream in this book. I always understood intellectually that Rocky was Stallone’s story, but to now read all the pieces of that story, I don’t think I’ll ever watch Rocky the same way again. This was such a beautiful and painful and honest book.
I just finished Part 1 (Chapters 1–21), and this is an absolute masterpiece of endurance. Reading about his childhood and his heartless mother really drives home a tough lesson: "sticks and stones" might break bones, but words and emotional neglect continuously damage your self-esteem. He was given an incredibly unfair start in life carrying major Joseph from the Bible energy. By all statistical accounts, this guy shouldn't have made it to Hollywood, let alone to 80 years old. But he just kept punching.The craziest part is that I'm not even at the Rocky era yet, and I'm already hooked. This was the absolute perfect companion to read during my overnight shift. The only reason I am putting my Kindle down right now is because I desperately need to get some sleep. It’s definitely a one day, can't put it down page turner, and I'll be finishing it as soon as I wake up. Highly recommend!
