Elon Musk

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb, Walter Isaacson

The #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Steve Jobs—this is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. Oh, and took over Twitter.

When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist.

His father’s impact on his psyche would linger. He developed into a tough yet vulnerable man-child, prone to abrupt Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive.

At the beginning of 2022—after a year marked by SpaceX launching thirty-one rockets into orbit, Tesla selling a million cars, and him becoming the richest man on earth—Musk spoke ruefully about his compulsion to stir up dramas. “I need to shift my mindset away from being in crisis mode, which it has been for about fourteen years now, or arguably most of my life,” he said.

It was a wistful comment, not a New Year’s resolution. Even as he said it, he was secretly buying up shares of Twitter, the world’s ultimate playground. Over the years, whenever he was in a dark place, his mind went back to being bullied on the playground. Now he had the chance to own the playground.

For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. The result is the revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress?

©2023 Walter Isaacson (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Almost a Must Read

I think that it will be what you expected. It does portray a driven man, but no more than anyone else I've ever met. The amount of stress portrayed may be superhuman to some, but it's not. The story weaves the chances, risks, and opportunities very well and cites specifics that corroborate some of the most influential actions taken. There is a piece of the story that most should accept as doctrine: right place at the right time; just as Bill Gates had the opportunity out of millions of children to learn computers when they were super rare, Mr. Musk displayed an aptitude and foresight for growth opportunities in the early 2000's. It's that early strike that proves successful, yet there are failures to this day. I won't ruin the story, because if you really want to know what it takes; you should read / listen to the boom, but it is what you expect. Overall a 4.5 just because there is some truly long passages (interesting, but long) and I've given so many 5's that this 4.5 ought to make you think twice between this interesting read or a series you've been waiting to continue.

A little too long

The Steve Jobs autobiography was better this was good but the timing of this book seems odd and premature to his FSD and robotaxi launches. Elon is a narcissist and this book was clearly his doing.

Long, not boring and not too technical

Well written and well narrated, this story provides an understanding of a brilliant and very complex man. He is a visionary driven to achieve his goals with little regard for risks. I had no difficulty listening to this book the very end because it was so interesting.

Isaacsson delivers another great biography on a worthy subject

Isaacson is one of the great biographers and his latest contribution is the best of his work I have read so far.

Elon Musk is someone we should all understand better. This is a fair and balanced glimpse into the personal, business and public life of a very complicated figure.

My one complaint is that I wish it had been longer.

A must read

The biography is solid, not shielding from Elon’s dark side. It left me inspired to do and be so much more.

Great overview of Elon Musk

This book is well researched with much of the information coming from first account interviews. Elon Musk is certainly a fascinating person, and the author explores the different aspects of his personality. Everyone knows Musk is a genius, but this book also demonstrates his humanity - both good and not so good. As far as the book, after a while it gets a bit repetitive, but that's just true to life for Musk. I think this is an important read at the current time in light of the influence that Musk will have on the country if his proposed role with the incoming administration comes to fruition.

Well researched, written, and narrated

The author captures the good, the bad, and the ugly qualities of Elon Musk. Highly recommended.

Another great work by Isaacson

I have read all Isaacson’s work and this is no exception. A great art of storytelling. How much there is truth and how much is not, I can’t tell. I can tell though it is a fascinating biography and it does feel truthful.

5 stars

Elon Musk operates his business with risk! What America used to be in business! I compare him to the great innovators. Tesla! Edison, Hughs, Getty, Van Der Built, Ford, Van Braun, Jobs, Gates, Musk? I would really compare him to Howard Hughs. Driven, Focus and nothing can stop my goals. Risk taker, leader and a winner. Message from boo: “Get off your ass America the dream is alive, take it.” 5 stars

Incredible

Well written, well read, inspiring. Would recommend highly. Great anecdotes and insights into Musk’s thinking.