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

A Glimpse into the Mind of Genius

I have really enjoyed the book. It is inspiring, heartbreaking, and insightful. My only wish is that Isaacson could have spent a few more rounds editing and revising the text so it was organized better. I do not blame him for this, because I'm sure he wanted more time, but the publishers were pushing it out. How un-Jobs-like???

More entertaining than fiction

I found this book riveting, funny and informative. My field of work is computers so maybe that made it even more attractive and I don't go anywhere without my IPod. I have never "read" so many books since I started using Audible six years ago. Everything I do, suc as: walk my crazy, adorable, huge Boxer; swimming; cooking; when I don't want to listen to my husband :), has become "my time". Thank you Steve, thank you Audible!

...Jerk to Hero...

As I progressed through the book, Steve Jobs went from being the biggest jerk of my time, to becoming the greatest person of my time...I'm not saying his people skills improved, they didn't...I began to admire him for his relentless passion to make"Good Products"...
He would not compromise his opinion for a faster or quicker product...The book was very well written and read and very thorough...I will also try Mr. Isaacson's other books (Einstein and Franklin) because I enjoy this book so much...

Excellent read

I thought the reader actually did an excellent job. It was very intersting to find out what a contrasting character Mr Jobs was compared to my view and the public view of this man.

Loved every moment of it

I really enjoyed this audio book. Some wrote that the reader sucked. However, I thought he did fine. I have told everyone who has asked that this is a book they need to read or listen to. It was really good.

Inspiring-a tribute to jobs-a long story 3 parts!

I have heard a lot of audible books. This one is riveting! I listened when I had a project that took severaL days to accomplish. Great!!

Inspirational, touching and heroic

As a novice reader, I was amazed by how emotional one can get listening to Steve Jobs Biography - as if you were sitting right next to him witnessing every breakthroughs to playing a part in shaping the country and lastly eavesdropping on his personal life. A truly mesmerizing book that kept me engaged till the very end.

Look Past the Flaws for Some Inspiration

I was never a Steve Jobs fan. I never knew much about him. I almost gave up on the book about halfway through. He is manipulative and selfish. I would not ever want to be friends with him. That kind of bad behavior is difficult to enjoy in a book.
That said, he was brilliant! The story of his company(use) is inspiring. There is a lot to admire from him.
The ending of the book is lovely and sorrowful. I’m uncertain if I will listen again. I probably will.

A Man of Many Colors

I struggled trying to find a title to describe Steve Jobs' biography, but who wouldn't? He was a man of many colors, which is revealed throughout the book. It is not a quick read. I would recommend the book to anyone who has background knowledge of Steve Jobs and a love of technology; otherwise, you might not enjoy it as much. On the other hand, it's about far more than Steve Jobs and computers. I learned more about a man in search of his identity and love of family than was ever revealed to the public. Yes, he was a control freak! Now I have a better understanding of why.

" Amazing "

what could I say except exquisite exceptional the narrator was spot on a perfect audible book.