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The Steps

The powerful new memoir from the Academy Award-winning actor and icon, read by Sylvester Stallone

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The Steps

By: Sylvester Stallone
Narrated by: Sylvester Stallone
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THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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.

Read by Sylvester Stallone and featuring an exclusive new score composed and performed by legendary Academy Award-winner Bill Conti, the original composer of Rocky.

'Smart and dumb, thoughtful and ferocious, underestimated and overblown - Stallone's contradictions make him a cut above the average celeb, and this book a cut above the average celebrity memoir'
The Times

'I had no idea what to expect from this but it's an absolute knockout; a hugely entertaining page-turner that is both funny and uplifting . . . I hope he is already writing the next instalment'
Mail on Sunday

***

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, Sly 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 Stallone's arrival in New York City in 1969 and the triumph of Rocky at the 1977 Academy Awards, Sly 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.©2025 Sylvester Stallone
Boxing Combat Sports & Self-Defense Entertainment & Celebrities Personal Development Personal Success Memoir Inspiring Dream
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Critic reviews

Smart and dumb, thoughtful and ferocious, underestimated and overblown - Stallone's contradictions make him a cut above the average celeb, and this book a cut above the average celebrity memoir
I had no idea what to expect from this but it's an absolute knockout; a hugely entertaining page-turner that is both funny and uplifting . . . I hope he is already writing the next instalment
A sobering reminder of just how far Stallone had to go to make it . . . Grit made the man; The Steps shows us how he did it
All stars
Most relevant
My husband put up with me telling him constantly about Sly’s life and all those early struggles. I cried about 19 times. And then we watched Rocky last night so I could spot all the things he mentions.

Sly Stallone is a fighter. What determination and grit. I’m so happy for his successes!! And as I grew up in the 80’sxwe all adored the Rocky movies. Still do!!!! Thank you Sly. Love & Respect
Samantha Sweet

I just loved this this!!!

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Street bum to screen boxing god….. can’t wait for the film “I Play Rocky” Just goes to prove you should never give up ❤️🥊

If you love anything “Rocky” you’ll love this!!

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Amazing story and love it narrated by himself. Best told by the person themselves then by someone else

His story

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This is one of the best memoirs I have listened to, and having Sly Stallone do the audiobook version makes it even more compelling. I never knew he had such a tough upbringing, and the fractured relationships with his parents was also an eye opener.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is going through some rough patches in their life right now, and maybe in need of a little pick me up these troubled times. This book will give you hope no matter your education or background, that you can make it if you just apply yourself and believe in the impossible.

For all the Rocky's.

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This is honestly, one of the best autobiographical audio books I've ever heard, with Sly himself narrating, I really felt the emotions, even tearing up a couple of times, wonderful, can't recommend it enough

Absolutely Superb!

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