''My Wonderful World of Slapstick'' is the intimate 1960 autobiography of legendary silent film comedian Buster Keaton, co-written alongside journalist Charles Samuels. The book offers a fascinating, firsthand glimpse behind "The Great Stone Face," tracing his 60-year journey across vaudeville, silent movies, talking pictures, and early television.

Keaton details his chaotic childhood as the "undentable tot" in his family's vaudeville act, "The Three Keatons". His father would routinely hurl him across the stage, into the wings, or directly into bass drums—a rough-and-tumble training ground that built his unmatched physical comedy skills.

The memoir captures his transition into Hollywood, triggered by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, who taught him the art of the custard pie pie-throw. He reflects fondly on creating cinematic history alongside peers like Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Mack Sennett.

Rather than purely dwelling on the glitter, Keaton candidly addresses his harrowing battles with severe alcoholism, career downfalls after the silent era ended, and his ultimate personal and professional survival. The narrative is, however, rich with performance anecdotes.