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 book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The real Jobs-get to know the man, good and bad.

Any additional comments?

I am listening to the last chapter, knowing I will miss my daily Steve Jobs.

Amazing

Everything that I was specting and more, a book with a pleasant voice, that even made me cry at the end.

Informative and enlightening good listen

This story, well written, well researched and creatively organized (not sequential) stays with me long after having listened. Clearly not meant to be a flattering send up of an icon since it exposes many human flaws, the book is nevertheless touching and exceptionally memorable. Jobs was a remarkable man without a doubt.

Excellent read! Even if you listen!

You will never get a better understanding of who Steve Jobs really was until you listen/read this book. It walks you through his life so you understand why Steve and Apple are the way they are. To understand is to appreciate even if you don't like. This book does a great job.

Purpose and passion changed the world

If you could sum up Steve Jobs in three words, what would they be?

Purpose, Passion, and Power. The purpose and passion of this icon has changed the world. Although Jobs seems to be a conflicted character, this book is a remarkable testimony to the journey of a man, a company, and an industry. This book revealed the power of this man to influence lives, sometimes through intimidation but usually through shear brilliance. I thought the narration was excellent!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but due to length I listened in the car, on the job, and at home and finished it in three days

Super long, but amazing story. Worth reading!

There are so many different eras to Steve Jobs' life that it feels like this book begins and ends several times over. It's a beautifully crafted story and I appreciate that the author made it balanced and accurate.

Speechless.

A truly inspiring story of a strong willed man who forever changed the world. One of the best books I will read.

Very interesting story for 80's computer kids

Yes. I listened to it mainly in the bus while commuting to work. Lots of times, I missed part of story by the noise of bus but really enjoyed the moment of getting behind stories of Silicon Valley during 80's & 90's. It especially impressed me since I was also computer kids during 80's. He was only ten years older than me but arrived at the great achievements mostly in his twenties which makes me really embarrassed. On the other hand, it's amazing to know how all those fascinating little machines were created. This is the most interesting story among all I"ve ever read.

Interesting personality

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is good for anyone who is curious about Steve Jobs and wants to know more about his personal life, early and late.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Gratuitous profanity and vulgar language always makes me cringe, and there is a lot of it in this book.

Any additional comments?

Overall, enjoyable and fascinating to read about the life of a man who so fundamentally changed our world

amazing story of an amazing life

loved this bio. learned a whole lot about how tech is where it is now. learned a lot about how and why steve touched our lives in so many ways. highly recomended read.