2012 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year
Walter Isaacson’s “enthralling” (The New Yorker) worldwide bestselling biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs—the inspiration for the movie Steve Jobs starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels, directed by Danny Boyle with a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin.
Based on more than forty interviews with Steve Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than 100 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. Isaacson’s portrait touched millions.
At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in the twenty-first 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 the author, he asked for no control over what was written. He put nothing off-limits. He encouraged the people he knew to speak honestly. He himself spoke candidly about the people he worked with and competed against.
His friends, foes, and colleagues offer 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.
His tale is instructive and cautionary, filled with lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values.
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"A fascinating look at the life of Jobs who saw the world in black or white and lived a life that swung back and forth between both extremes. There's a lot to not like about Steve, but one thing to give him credit for is allowing this book to be written without his editorial control. "
— Phil (5 out of 5 stars)
“This is a timely and complete portrait that pulls no punches and gives insight into a man whose contradictions were in many ways his greatest strength.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“This authorized, highly discussed work delivers significant details of Jobs’s secretive life, career, and creative sensibility.”
— Audiofile“A wonderfully robust biography that not only tracks Jobs’ life but also serves as a history of digital technology.”
— Booklist“An unforgettable tale of a one-of-a-kind visionary.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Worth reading. Insight into the person and the rise of personal computing/technology. "
— Michele, 2/11/2014" I'm just a huge fan. I loved it. I understood his passion for great products and never settling. This book inspired me in so many ways. "
— Christine, 2/9/2014" The book was o.k. Jobs was an interesting person, he does not come across as a very likable fellow, but I don't think that was ever his aim. Well-researched. Well-written. Jobs was definitely an innovator, but at times crossed the line in civility and common sense. The book is an insight into the role he played in the evolution of technology. Glad I read it. Glad it's over. "
— Vera, 1/31/2014" Probably the longest book I've ever read, but extremely engaging all the way. Nice balance between personal, technical and business. What a cool guy Steve was! Consider me an iFan for life. "
— Julie, 1/24/2014" Great telling of an amazingly complex man. "
— Cyndi, 1/22/2014" This is a great book.Steve Jobs was a very interesting character and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his life story. I highly recommend it! "
— Betty, 1/17/2014" awesome book about awesome person "
— Ferdi, 12/15/2013" I enjoyed it so much I read it twice, and will likely read it again. "
— Barry, 10/11/2013" Excellent, engaging study into a megalomaniac genius. "
— Joy, 9/2/2013" Awesome book. It is very well written and quite hard to put down. Even though Steve Jobs could be a huge jerk, he is truly on of the great visionaries of our time. I will always be a fan. "
— Mark, 9/2/2013" I really enjoyed the book. It was as gripping as a fantastic fiction. It really portrayed Steve Job exactly the way he was. A true loss. "
— Sonu, 8/23/2013" A well-told story. A little repetitive but Isaacson wisely puts the exciting bits of the story at the right time to create a series of peaks and valleys. When it was over I felt a little sad because it made me feel like I had gotten to know Jobs well. "
— Adam, 8/12/2013" Really long. Good writing style. Interesting subject. But really long. "
— Mandy, 8/7/2013" A story of a successor and his creation on products that have changed the way we live. inspirational "
— Benson, 6/18/2013" Very detailed, hence long and sometimes repetitive. But very impressive biography of one exceptionally creative personality with quite a lack of empathy. Really sad in the end of course "
— Michael, 8/1/2012" I AM BIG FANS OF YOU! "
— Andiiarini, 6/29/2012" Started off well, and I fully expected to enjoy it but it just became to loooong. "
— Thanya, 6/21/2012" I think this was a little long. I've read other books and heard the stories. Overall I was left thinking this was a relatively accurate book on the life of Steve Jobs. "
— Matt, 5/8/2012" interesting and accurate biography. alternate title should be the jerk "
— Glen, 4/4/2012" Not only one of the greatest influences in technology i our generation but one of my personal role models. Reading this helped me look at my hero in a different light. "
— Leon, 3/3/2012" It's an engaging, eye-opening and, overall, a well-done summation of an unbelievably intriguing person. In the end, you don't quite know what to think of Steve Jobs the person, but, through his contributions, his legacy will live on for years and years and years. "
— Alex, 11/8/2011" Awesome book about a great character and visionary - Steve Jobs was one of a kind. "
— Paul, 11/8/2011" I liked the book much better than I liked Steve Jobs. What a disappointment. I guess genius and good behavior don't always correlate. "
— Francha, 11/6/2011" The man wasn't perfect (who is!?), but he had three amazing and informative Acts to his business life and sat at the helm of more than one company that changed the world.<br/><br/>And Walter Isaacson is a helluva narrator. <br/><br/>Worth the read. "
— Jim, 11/6/2011" As a recovered Mac fanboy who started way back in the 90s, there wasn't an awful lot new here in terms of the Apple story. <br/> <br/>That being said, it was an enjoyable read, particularly if you're trying to build a company. "
— Nigel, 11/6/2011Walter Isaacson is the author of highly acclaimed works of nonfiction, including several biographies that have made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. A professor of history at Tulane University, he has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.
Dylan Baker is an American stage, screen, and television actor. He attended Georgetown Prep and William and Mary College before earning his BFA at Southern Methodist University, where his passion for acting was ignited with numerous stage roles. Later refining his talents at Yale’s School of Drama, Baker turned professional with big screen roles in movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Delirious, and Love Potion No. 9. His audiobook narration has won him eleven AudioFile Earphones Awards.