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

Genuinely a genius

Although Steve didn’t create the first Mac his vision revolutionized how we use technology today. A truly great story if you are a fan of Apple.

Mixed feelings towards Jobs

in this book you fall in and out of love with Steve. Many times. Often, within the same chapter. An intense and passionate man, with a vision and desire to make the best possible products and leave a mark in the world.

Long live Steve Jobs

Man, finishing Walter Isaacson’s take on Steve Jobs really hit me with a wave of nostalgia—I miss Steve Jobs now. It’s like he left a piece of himself in these pages, not just for kicks but for us to really get something out of it. Isaacson’s got this way of pulling you into the journey, making every bit about Jobs—his ups, his downs, his passion, and his intense love for what he did—feel super relatable and real.

Reading this felt like hanging out with the most intense, passionate friend you’ve got, and now that it’s over, I’m just sitting here, inspired and a bit in awe. The people, the drama, Jobs’ own roller coaster of a life—it’s all in there, painted in shades that make you feel like you’re right there with them.

So yeah, if you’re up for a ride through the life of a guy who changed how we interact with the world, this book’s for you. It’s a solid journey, one that’s got me pumped and ready to dive into my next read, which, by the way, is gonna be the biography of Henry Kissinger. But, Isaacson’s story about Jobs? That’s a five-star experience right there. Chill, enlightening, and downright captivating.

Changed my perspective

For better or worse I got to learn so much more about Jobs. Thanks for writing

Jobs Vision and steadfast commitment to his principles and not money.

The book eloquently described Jobs’ albeit a narcissistic and unforgiving individual who was arrogant and rude, and gave many reasons for those he encountered to dislike him, never wavered from his underlying beliefs and goals for making the world a better place which made it difficult for any one of the same individuals to not respect him.

Best Biography in the World

I've read a lot of biographies and own all the Isaacson books, but this might be the best one ever. the reason is because it is so comprehensive it is both a biography on Jobs, which makes it clear how impactful of a human being he was, and a business book. It is a case study on business in tech, how to be and not be a CEO, how to be a founder, and how to grow a company to Fortune 100 and beyond status.

Finally, the narration is great, perfectly capturing the emotions and moments. 10/10

Great read

Such a great book to read/listen to. Any one who have passion for technology should read this book.

Insights on how Innovation Impacted my Life

This book explained so much about how technology impacted my life. So relatable. Fascinating was Steve Jobs himself as are most entrepreneurs. I have even more respect for Apple as a company where ideas were expected and came to life.

Rough diamond

Amazing life story of a genius. A strange but focused businessman, artist, and indeed an important tech innovator. Enjoyed his products and enjoyed knowing his life through his own words.

No complaints here

He wasn't perfect and I'm glad I never met him in person, but he had many thought provoking insights. Definitely recommend this book.