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 great biography!

This biography of Steve Jobs does a great job at capturing the man and the Apple technology he played a big part with. I avoided this book for a long time, thinking that there was no way his story could keep my interest for more than 25 hours. I almost opted for the abridged version, but finally went for the unabridged (if it dragged, I planned to return it and get the abridged). This full book captured my interest from beginning to end. It is well researched and incredibly well written. I credit Jobs for letting the author write whatever he liked. Jobs knew that he was not beloved by all, and wanted an accurate portrayal of his life. This bio captures him in all his brilliance, warts and all. I enjoyed the personal story of this charismatic and irritating man, and I loved reading about the development of so much technology that I know so well. From the Mac computers to the iPods and iPhones, and even the Apple stores with their genius bar, the story of each is fascinating. Even the business end was interesting in this story of a great entrepreneur. I enjoyed this as much as any biography I have listened to. It was also cool that I listened to this on my iPod while using my iPhone for a GPS for a good part of this book. Meanwhile, iTunes organizes my audiobook collection. All thanks to Steve Jobs.

Incredible narrative of a great man's life

I read the initial reviews of the book, and was very nervous about the narrator's voice. However, I don't have any problems with Mr. Baker. I don't know why people expect him to sound like Steve, he is not and does a nice job reading the story. The book itself is phenomenal, especially for Apple fans that are somewhat familiar with the history of the company. Isaacson is an incredible biographer and does not disappoint with an excellent narrative of Steve's life. My only complaint are the few times that he inserts his opinions into what made Steve great. Don't be afraid of the narrator, unless you expect Steve himself to read the book, which of course will not be the case. The book will enthrall you, and you won't be able to stop listening until it's over, then when it's over, you'll just want more.

Most entertaining listen I had all year

I had to put down my other book when this was released. I finished it pretty quickly because it was so entertaining. It was also informative about the cutthroat businesses of music, movies, and technology as a whole. I respect Steve Jobs as an innovator even more now, but perhaps respect him less as a human being. That may sound harsh, but it's a testament to the honesty behind this book. They didn't sugar-coat any of Jobs's quirks or bluntness when dealing with others. Some people here complained about the narrator. I thought the narration was well-done. He may not do a good "Steve" impression, but I don't think he was going for that either.

Not an apple or Jobs fanboy but love the book

What made the experience of listening to Steve Jobs the most enjoyable?

A great life story, very inspiring despite Jobs being a terrible human being most of the time.
Some funny moments where you find yourself laughing out loud while running in the park.
:-)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably Woz...

What about Dylan Baker’s performance did you like?

Dylan Baker's performance was fine. Don't find him annoying at all.

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

The man who didn't give a f--k.

Great book, reader was...meh.

Great insight into the genius that was Jobs. Reader seemed to be mocking Jobs by making his voice whiny and childish.

Good Biography

Good work, Walter Isaacson's best work so far.

One of the reasons I didn't give the review a 5 was that Isaacson repeated a lot of the stories over the different chapters of the book. He could of made the book a little more concise.

Over all, I'm glad Isaacson did it and I learned so much about Steve.

Thank You!

Excellent work

Not sure why all the B and M'ing about the reader. Extremely well written, extremely well read. A true story of a brilliant American icon. World changers are allowed to be a little eccentric.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly...

I was impressed with the story. However I was more impressed with how Steve let them tell the full story. I think this is a fascinating read and I really enjoyed it!

Must Read

What did you love best about Steve Jobs?

It is a story of an era not just a man. Excellent narration of a compelling story. Gave me a much better context for thinking about where technology has been and more importantly, where it is going.

Inspiring

The original Elon Musk. #RIP

Well written and well performed. One of the better biographies one might come across.