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.

The real story from the perspective of the Woz!!!

There have been so many different versions of what really took place in the beginning of Apple. This story shows how Steve got started and became interested in electronics, engineering, phreaking...etc. One of my favorite parts of this was that he actually went into detail about several of his inventions and hacks. While some of it was a little distracting from being narrated and probably better if reading it was still extremely enjoyable.
Woz is, in my eye, one of the best innovators and engineers of our time. I mean he gave us the personal computer as we know it today.
The Woz is the king of digital engineering and of course the father of the personal PC. If you are interested in finding out the details of how this whole industry got it's start this is THE book to get....Honestly, THE book!!!

iNteresting

This book was a good read overall. It really is neat to see someone who was encouraged as a child to explore and whose dad would take the time to answer all the "why" questions. A general knowledge of electronics and binary language will help a reader follow most of the events occurring in his life, even though he does explain the basic ideas as he comes by them. Not much on Apple per se. Steve Jobs is not a front man in this book. It really is about Steve W. as it should be. I enjoyed it and the narration was good.

Woz is an engineer's engineer!

As an electronics engineer I really enjoyed listening to Woz's book. He could have really slammed the late Steve Jobs, but he took the high road and only said nice things. I enjoyed how Woz described in detail how he made his designs. Overall, a good book.

Terribly egocentric, but still a fun read

It was hard to tell how much of this was Steve Wozniak and how much was Gina Smith. Perhaps it doesn't matter. Mix in the boyish enthusiasm of the narrator Patrick Lawlor, and you have a narrative that probably pretty well captures Wozniak's persona.

I liked this book in spite of the self-righteous egocentrism of its subject. I am always amazed at people who are so insecure that they must constantly tell us how great they are...and Steve does this with gusto!

Still, there can be no doubt about his genius, and it was fun getting the inside story on so much of the early history of computing and the development of the Apple I and ][. The first computer with which I had any significant experience was an Apple ][, and the first computer I ever owned (after a failed affair with a Texas Instruments "toy" that was given to me) was an Apple ][c, so I enjoyed revisiting the "old days".

All in all there is much to like in this book--especially if Woz' ego trip doesn't particularly bother you.

Great!

I really enjoyed this book. Its written just as how Woz speaks so the result is a feeling like you're in the same room as him as he tells you how he became who he is today. I totally recommend this book!

With self respect, and remarkable candor and

Would you listen to iWoz again? Why?

I have and I will.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Woz living Woz

Any additional comments?

With self respect, remarkable candor, and clarity, Woz shares an historical recount that is unassailable on grounds of his contributions, and his character. The path of least resistance for a person like him is to answer the passion born from his outlying engineering IQ. As this unfolds, other important skills go underdeveloped. He does not attempt to hide or distort this fact. He also does not claim he can't do it, rather he makes it very clear it's just not his thing.

I learned about the integrity and character of the story teller by his unpacking of his story vs first and second hand promotion which, obviously is effective right? He got sacrificed pretty bad on more than one occasion because well, he's got some really significant blind spots that probably would not exist if it were not for heavy duty compensation from his strengths. Amazingly, amazingly it's all good though, learning moments, keep it light, and keep moving forward, "still I had a lot of fun and I would do it again because I love this stuff" , referring to programming, concerts, and so on.

I love this guys attitude. I relate to how he thinks, deeply.

What a fantastic story and very special man.

I absolutely loved this book! I appreciate all of the minute details related to many of the amazing computer advancements Woz helped to bring into this world.

And toward the end, I felt as though Woz was speaking directly to me, since he specifically gives advice for independent inventors. I am even more energized about my future now thanks to the messages in this book.

iWOZ...apparently the best at everything!

I am an admirer of Apple, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak...well, iWOZ an admirer or Wozniak. Everything I had known of him was 3rd person. Maybe Jobs was wise enough to keep Woz from talking when Apple was starting out, because Woz would have alienated anyone in earshot if he was anything like this book, and since it's his autobiography, one has to believe that this is, indeed, his personality. I never knew that Woz was the smartest elementary school student in the U.S., smartest High School student, smartest College student, smartest engineer in computer history, did you? Did you also know that his logic outshines anyone else in history? The ego here is truly breathtaking. I would agree that he is a genius (or was, anyway) but I don't need to hear that everything he ever attempted was groundbreaking, brilliant and successful. Oh, yes, he NEVER failed at anything. Also, he states that he NEVER lies about anything, or ever lied...but then he recounts instances where he lied, often. He even states that he was euphoric at lying to the police and pulling the wool over their eyes. He admires his sense of humor and practical jokes, but had I been around him, I would have beaten the crap out of him for some of his "pranks". I guess some people can't handle success. I purchased this title because I love the whole Apple story and it's soft counterculture beginnings. I did learn some interesting things about the evolution of Apple. I still love Apple and admire Steve Jobs, but Wozniak is no longer in my list of people that I admire. He is, basically, an egocentric, juvenile, self-centered jerk. Technically this audiobook has a number of flaws. The most egregious is the "hiss" (did someone forget to record with the Dolby filter on?) and the audible time-code track which adds a sound like a Vespa in the background. This narrator, no matter the title he has done, sounds like everything is a joke to him and that he is, like Woz, very interesting to listen to. Barely worth it.

iWoz you to read this book!

If you love Apple, engineering, technology, history, or a wonderful story - you will love this book. It offers great insight into how the Apple I and II came about - including all the inventions, designs, and experiences that lead up to these moments.

I enjoyed the book immensely and is a must for anyone who owned an Apple II and/or grew up during the early days of personal computers. It really brought back some memories.

Woz should be looked at as one of the top inventor / engineers of the 20th century. He truly was brilliant when it came to implementing elegant designs. Hats off to a man who appears to have lived his life his way!

This is a very entertaining book and found it well paced. Actually had a couple of parts that had me laughing or at least grinning. The couple of slow pieces are understandable given it is a true story.

If you ever remember having problems with OS7/8 ? the book contains the answer? not surprising who?s product caused the issue (even when it was not running).

Not Another Apple History!

If you are looking for a blow by blow history of Apple this is not it, which is refreshing. This book focuses on Steve Wozniak's life and what motivated him to design the first personal computer, the path that led him to that point and the path he took from that point. Steve Jobs is mentioned in the book but only sparingly where it contributes to Wozniak's narrative. Of course the book focuses on Steve's engineering life but also focuses on his relationships with his father, wives and children. Overall a very well rounded account of Steve's life and is a must read for any Apple fan, especially as a foil to the books on Steve Jobs.