Steve Jobs

by Walter Isaacson
Steve Jobs cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 135
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781451648546
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 34
  • Reviews: 4

Steve Jobs is a comprehensive biography that delves into the life and mind of one of the most influential figures in modern technology. Based on over 40 interviews with Jobs and more than 100 others, the book offers an intimate look at his roller-coaster life, intense personality, and groundbreaking contributions to personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing. /n/n The narrative captures Jobs' fierce drive and passion, providing a nuanced portrait of a man who was as complex as he was brilliant. It explores his relationships, his struggles, and his unyielding vision, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in innovation, leadership, and the impact of technology on society.

Reviews
Nick Roadnight · Nick Roadnight · 2024-08-30
riveting 4.60

A riveting biography that offers an in-depth look at Steve Jobs’ life and legacy, balancing his innovative achievements with his personal challenges.

Nick Roadnight found Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs to be an engaging and thorough exploration of the Apple co-founder’s life. The book provides a rich narrative that does not shy away from Jobs’ imperfections, including his demanding personality and complex relationships. Roadnight appreciates how the biography captures the essence of Jobs’ visionary mind and his impact on technology, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the man behind the myth.

Quick quotes

    Walter Isaacson's “Steve Jobs” is a riveting biography that offers an in-depth look at the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in technology.

    The book balances Steve Jobs’ innovative achievements with his personal challenges.

    It captures the essence of Jobs’ visionary mind and the complexity of his character.

Why Evolution Is True · 2023-06-18
enjoyable 4.00

The book is enjoyable and provides a thorough exploration of Jobs' life, though another biography is noted for its focus on a later period.

The reviewer enjoyed reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, finding it to be a comprehensive and engaging account of his life. They particularly appreciate the detailed portrayal of Jobs' early years and his impact on the tech world. However, they also mention that another biography, 'Becoming Steve Jobs,' offers a more in-depth look at the later part of his career, which they found equally compelling. Overall, the reviewer recommends the book for its insightful look into Jobs' life and achievements.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed the Isaacson book, but also thought that 'Becoming Steve Jobs' was outstanding.

    It focusses more on the period after Jobs was thrown out of Apple.

    It's a riveting book, with as much to say about the transformation of modern life in the information age as about its supernaturally gifted and driven subject.

sjhoward.co.uk · 2013-05-15
compelling 4.40

The biography is praised for its portrayal of Steve Jobs as an excellent subject, revealing the complexity and brilliance of his character.

The reviewer is impressed by how the book captures the multifaceted nature of Steve Jobs, portraying him as a fascinating and dynamic figure. They highlight the book’s ability to balance the portrayal of Jobs’ genius with his imperfections, making the narrative relatable and engaging. The book is seen as a tribute to Jobs’ innovative spirit and the lasting legacy he left in the tech world, making it a compelling read for fans and newcomers alike.

Quick quotes

    It's a measure of the brilliance of this book that my first thought having read it was that Steve Jobs was an excellent subject for a biography.

    The book reveals the complexity of a man who was both inspiring and difficult.

    Isaacson manages to portray Jobs' genius alongside his human flaws.

Obliquely · 2011-11-05
insightful 4.50

The biography provides an honest and detailed portrayal of Steve Jobs' complex personality and visionary drive, highlighting both his brilliance and flaws.

This review appreciates the depth with which the biography explores Steve Jobs' character, emphasizing his relentless ambition and unique approach to product design and management. It acknowledges the nuanced depiction of Jobs as a demanding and sometimes difficult individual, but ultimately a visionary whose impact on technology and culture is undeniable. The reviewer finds the book compelling for its candidness and the insight it offers into Jobs' personal and professional life, making it a valuable read for those interested in the man behind Apple.

Quick quotes

    Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs makes some play of the fact that Jobs deliberately ceded control of the 'product'.

    It's the sense of relentlessness about Steve Jobs' ambition, expressed through iPods, iPads and iPhones, that comes through Isaacson's book.

    The book offers a candid portrait of a man who was both visionary and deeply flawed.

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