iWoz

How I Invented the Personal Computer and Had Fun Along the Way

By: Steve Wozniak, Gina Smith

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The mastermind behind Apple Computer sheds his low profile and steps forward to tell his story for the first time.

Before cell phones that fit in the palm of your hand and slim laptops that fit snugly into briefcases, computers were like strange, alien vending machines. They had cryptic switches, punch cards, and pages of encoded output. But in 1975, a young engineering wizard named Steve Wozniak had an idea: what if you combined computer circuitry with a regular typewriter keyboard and a video screen? The result was the first true personal computer, the Apple I, a widely affordable machine that anyone could understand and figure out how to use.

Wozniak's life before and after Apple is a "home-brew" mix of brilliant discovery and adventure, as an engineer, a concert promoter, a fifth-grade teacher, a philanthropist, and an irrepressible prankster. From the invention of the first personal computer to the rise of Apple as an industry giant, iWoz presents a no-holds-barred, rollicking, firsthand account of the humanist inventor who ignited the computer revolution.

©2006 Steve Wozniak (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

iWoz (a unique view from a unique man)

The narrator for this audio book made it a great listen. The story, the history, the man behind the apple computer made for great history lesson as well as a unique view into a great mans life. I say that because he did something incredible and he knows it and isn't shy to say it. I'd have to say it was well worth my time to enjoy his look on life even if I'm not an engineer.

His voice.

When listening to this book you get the sense that you have Woz telling you his story. It is a great contrast for anyone who has listened to Jobs biography.

Great story that meanders

Steve Wozniack's story is one of a genius that luckily ends up at exactly the right place and time to change the world. He does tend to repeat himself at times and goes into extreme detail regarding the technical aspects of designing things like the floppy disk controller for the apple II, sometimes times way, way too much technical detail. I mean I love Apple products and Steve seems like a swell guy, one you could really relate to, and I'm sure that he is rightly proud of the technical details of these things but they sometimes get in the way of the human side of the story. Still a very enjoyable story.

Too technical for my taste...

I was interested on reading his story after I was done with Steve Job's auto biography....

Book was to technical. I lost interest on more than a few chapters.

Great story

There is a lot more to Woz than I realized. He seems like such an interesting guy, and hearing some of the things he did, especially the ones he did first before anyone else is really remarkable. Definitely worth a listen. I do think it would be better if read by Woz himself, because of the voice it is written in. The narration was good, but I think it misses a bit by not being read by the author.

Woz is an amazing guy!

This book is a wonderful time travel through Steve's life. I really enjoyed the stories about him growing up, his love for technology and the great values he has as a person. Steve Wozniak is truly a hero and this book tells it all. It was a great listen on my drive to work each day.

Calling all Geeks!

Okay, this book is not for everyone. I am in IT, what can I say? I gave it 3 stars not because I did not enjoy it, but because this is a book written from the perspective of a geek to people who can relate to geeks -- nothing wrong with that! It is the story of a particular quest for perfection by searching for simplicity. This is not unique to technology since, for example, particle physicists spend their lives striving to deliver to their peers a description of reality via an "elegant formula," writers through thoroughly, yet succinctly, explain an intangible idea, and artists by engaging the viewer/listener's sense of awe to communicate a state of mind. Wozniak did this through his pursuit of turning the complexity of a technical problem into a succinct and elegant piece of technology -- gee, sounds a bit like Apple doesn't it? Jobs was the left brain of Apple as Wozniak was the right-brain: it was this that gave Apple is birth. This book is an insight not only into the mind of a great engineer but into the core 1/2 of what made Apple tick and continues to color its approach to its products. Apple did not invent most of the technology that made it a top company, it strove to break technology's complexity and ugliness by delivering elegant products in the vision people like the two Steves that were its founders.

Vey Good and motivational

I was captivated buy Steve's story telling. I studied electronics in the past,and now listening to his story makes we want to head to Radio Shack and get a electronics kit again! I was a little disturbed by his pranks and jokes on his peers and the adults he came into contact with though,but nobody got actually injured. A great audio book for anyone who is interested in taking on the great adventure in electronics engineering.

Great computer history

What did you love best about iWoz?

It brought back memories of my early yearsin computers

Any additional comments?

It does require some tech. background to fully appreciate it.
Those who have in the business for 20 years or more will love it.

Human Story of a true Engineer

This is a biography on an engineer who developed a unique computer system for masses. A character of a brilliant inventor is painted with vivid color, humor and a human touch. It is a story of life of an inventor, a life of his invention: Apple computer, and a life of a successful engineer who ended up teaching computers to school children . The story is frank and full of light humor.