Steve Jobs

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Length: 25 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Featuring a new epilogue read by the author.

From the author of the best-selling biographies of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein, this is the exclusive biography of Steve Jobs.

Based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years - as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues - Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, and when societies around the world are trying to build digital-age economies, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in the 21st century was to connect creativity with technology. He built a company where leaps of the imagination were combined with remarkable feats of engineering.

Although Jobs cooperated with this book, he asked for no control over what was written. He put nothing off-limits. He encouraged the people he knew to speak honestly. And Jobs speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about the people he worked with and competed against. His friends, foes, and colleagues provide an unvarnished view of the passions, perfectionism, obsessions, artistry, devilry, and compulsion for control that shaped his approach to business and the innovative products that resulted.

Driven by demons, Jobs could drive those around him to fury and despair. But his personality and products were interrelated, just as Apple's hardware and software tended to be, as if part of an integrated system. His tale is instructive and cautionary, filled with lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values.

©2011 Walter Isaacson (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Great "read"

I have used Macs for since 1988 in my profession as a graphic artist, but I have never really be a freak who had to tune into every speech Jobs ever made. I did want to learn more about the man who through his creativity and innovation, made it possible for me to have a great career. The book is a fine biography. It's very balanced, and exposes the good, bad and ugly of Mr. Jobs. Yeah sure, there is a mispronounced word here and there, but I have found this in all audio books. I heard this book over the course of 4 days, at work, working on my new Mac, listening on my iPhone 4. I could not stop playing it. GREAT READ.

Absolutely INCREDIBLE Biography!

Authors PAY ATTENTION...This is what a biography SHOULD be. Well researched, perfectly constructed, and structurally sound, this biography will leave you fulfilled. Whether you were a casual fan of Jobs, or a die hard Apple nut, this book is a must read! Highly recommend unabridged.

Fantastic book about a troubled genius

This well-written portrayal of the genius founder of Apple Steve Jobs is hard to put down once you get started. Thankfully, the author was allowed by Jobs to get the true story behind his interesting life by interviewing his former employees, friends and family. The best part is following his long list of amazing accomplishments while learning the inside secrets of his troubled personal life. Amazing book!!

Wonderfully told. Wonderfully narrated.

I've had a computer since the 70s. That was way before the Internet, way before practical software such as word processors and spreadsheets. Back then, it was something for hobbyists called "Hackers" who loved to explore the possibilities of using devices that would one day change the world.

Because my history with computers ran parallel with Apple's history, I've always had a connection with Steve Jobs and Apple, so this book brought back a lot of memories.

I was hesitant at first to buy the book, because I always felt I knew all there was to know about Steve Jobs and Apple, because I followed his story most of my life, but I'm so glad that I did. Although I knew he was part of the "Hippie" movement, I had no idea the extent of his counter culture roots.

The bottom line is that the story of Steve Jobs is fascinating, even to those who have never felt a connection to technology. He had a famously unique rough exterior, but deep down there was a pure passion for greatness at the core every outburst that drove those whom he lashed out at to achieve bigger and better goals.

One last comment regarding the narration by Dylan Baker. I've listened to over 200 audiobooks, and I consider his narration to be one of the best I've heard so far, so I can't figure out why there have been so many negative comments about the narration. I kept reading people say he sounds nothing like Steve Jobs and knows nothing about his speaking style. It seems to me that some people think this was an "Autobiography", so it should be told in Steve's own voice. This is a biography, so it's not meant to sound like Steve. It's Walter Isaacson's story of Steve Jobs, so there is no reason for him to try to sound like anyone but himself. If they want to hear a more realistic voice, look for his speeches on YouTube or wait for Hollywood to make a movie.

Lots of new material & food for thought

I would imagine that it is very difficult to find much new to say about a figure who, despite his penchant for privacy, spent so much of his life in the public eye. But Mr. Isaacson succeeds admirably. This books was probably intended to be the definitive record of Steve Jobs' life, and it is certainly that. The timeline approach shows the development and maturing of his character as well as his professional accomplishments over the span of his life.

There is no doubt that he was a genius and the book traces the unfolding of that brilliance, and in what I think is the key value of the book, shows the cost that those around him paid for their relationship with him.

Even as he was in the hospital for his liver transplant, he was a terror to those around him; family, doctors and nurses. One is left wondering if this person felt love or empathy or compassion for anyone. His self centered and often cruel existence was seemingly tolerated because of his wealth, talent, and accomplishments.

In the end the book raises an existential question (at least for me)...do his accomplishments and revolutionizing products excuse his behavior towards others? I would grade his professional life as an A+, but his interpersonal life would be an F-.

As we would say in Southern California, that dude is going to have some crazy karma in his next life.

Being Honest and Trueful

This has to be one of the best biography that I've ever read, not because it's Steve Jobs, but the book showed many of his faults and obsessions and tantrums from a grown man. Steve Jobs always got his way. There are some parts of the book where you get tired of reading, like his childlike stubbornness, but he was the ten ton gorilla in the room, everywhere he went. Steve Jobs burn many bridges in his life, but Apple was his more than his passion for living. He was not a philanthropist by any means. If Bill Gates ever authorize a biography, we would learn that Gates went beyond Microsoft, but with Jobs and Apple, they were constantly not reinventing the wheel, but figuring how to build a better rocket ship which each product that they release.

After finishing this book, it's really hard where Apple will be in the future because their former CEO was more than a control freak beyond the normal.

Good read and a smooth narrator.

What do u want-a dance interpretation?

This book is a chronicle of events in the life of Steve Jobs. It wasn't written as a suspense novel. I find it fascinating and the narrator did an excellent job. If he had added drama to his reading it would have been obnoxious. The purpose is to give us insight into the man and the back office events at Apple and it accomplishes it very well. Give the narrator a break!

WOW...... This is a must read

The book is amazing... I can't put it down. If you want to understand a GENIUS this is the book to read. As I listened to the audio I felt like I was Steve Jobs. That's the depth you and clarity you get to know Steve. He changed the world!!!!

A fascinating life, warts and all!

First, I thought the narrator was fine, so don't let the criticism steer you from the book. This book gives you thoughts on Mr. Jobs from many different view points. It is not a sugar- coated, fluff piece, or a scathing rebuke, but an attempt at the honest story of a man who along with others, changed all of our lives.

Intelligent well written biography

Isaacson is a wonderful writer who can keep a reader engaged even through the mundane events necessary in the telling of a biography. Jobs of course is an icon of our age and I'm so glad that someone with the stature and capacity of Walter Isaacson was engaged to document his life and accomplishments. Recommended to all but with a special emphasis to my fellow long time Apple users.