Elon Musk

By: Walter Isaacson, Walter Isaacson - introduction

Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb

The #1 New York Times and global bestseller from Walter Isaacson—the acclaimed author of Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and World, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo da Vinci—is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating, controversial innovator of modern times. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Elon Musk as he executed his vision for electric vehicles at Tesla, space exploration with SpaceX, the AI revolution, and the takeover of Twitter and its conversion to X. The result is the definitive portrait of the mercurial pioneer that offers clues to his political instincts, future ambitions, and overall worldview.

When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist.

His father’s impact on his psyche would linger. He developed into a tough yet vulnerable man-child, prone to abrupt Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive.

At the beginning of 2022—after a year marked by SpaceX launching thirty-one rockets into orbit, Tesla selling a million cars, and him becoming the richest man on earth—Musk spoke ruefully about his compulsion to stir up dramas. “I need to shift my mindset away from being in crisis mode, which it has been for about fourteen years now, or arguably most of my life,” he said.

It was a wistful comment, not a New Year’s resolution. Even as he said it, he was secretly buying up shares of Twitter, the world’s ultimate playground. Over the years, whenever he was in a dark place, his mind went back to being bullied on the playground. Now he had the chance to own the playground.

For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. The result is the revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress?

Elon Musk is John Galt

My fourth finished and thoroughly enjoyed Walter Isaacson biography. Now I understand. Elon Musk is John Galt. Certainly not without faults (he is human, I think), he has and is changing the world. He sees through it all. And he will be persecuted for his drive and intelligence and wealth. Yet he truly cares about the future of humanity. Wow. Great read.

I could not stop reading

A powerful and mindblowing story of a living legend and..... a lot more to come!!! I look forward to it.

Good, well balanced book

Well balanced book. Good story. Feels in a lot of holes in the Musk story.

Kind of a boring narrator. I’ve listened to probably around 100+ audiobooks. This narrator’s performance ranks near the bottom, if I’m being honest. Not one of the worst, but also not one of the best.

Shallow insights

It felt mostly as presenting public data on Elon in a reliable and organized manner, with some mild psychological analysis by the author. The “inside” insights from his 2 years with Elon seemed few and shallow. Still it was a light listen with some insights and the narration was fine

Fabulous

This a really interesting audio book that dives into the mind of Elon Musk. It really lets you see his struggles, achievements, and understand more about what has made him so successful.

Insightful and most importantly balanced view on Elon.

I think the book reveals a lot about Elon and most importantly his inner circle. It was entertaining, and I learned a lot about a lot of things. I am more confident in my investment in Tesla after reading this.

Wow! Must read.

this was absolutely amazing. great insights into what makes elon tick. primary focus is spaceX. Tesla second.

Excellent!

Entertaining and insightful. Isaacson’s books are always well though out and structured, but this ways more than just a chronological biography. Inside the mind of Elon Musk (as much as a mortal can be). And occasionally hilarious.

Insightful

I can think of no other living figure that generates as much attention and consternation, so this biography has much to accomplish. It did a great job, providing insights and explanations that are really interesting.

Incredible!!

Wow! Superb bio on the most dynamic, brilliant and complex person I have ever heard about! A must read on so many levels; personal, career, existential. Enjoy!!