Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

by Ashlee Vance
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Business and Economics
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  • ID: 154
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9780753555620
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2015-01-01
  • Formats: 34
  • Reviews: 4

South African born Elon Musk is the renowned entrepreneur and innovator behind PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. Musk wants to save our planet; he wants to send citizens into space, to form a colony on Mars; he wants to make money while doing these things; and he wants us all to know about it. He is the real-life inspiration for the Iron Man series of films starring Robert Downey Junior. The personal tale of Muskâe(tm)s life comes with all the trappings one associates with a great, drama-filled story. He was a freakishly bright kid who was bullied brutally at school, and abused by his father. In the midst of these rough conditions, and the violence of apartheid South Africa, Musk still thrived academically and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he paid his own way through school by turning his house into a club and throwing massive parties. He started a pair of huge dot-com successes, including PayPal, which eBay acquired for $1.5 billion in 2002. Musk was forced out as CEO and so began his lost years in which he decided to go it alone and baffled friends by investing his fortune in rockets and electric cars. Meanwhile Muskâe(tm)s marriage disintegrated as his technological obsessions took over his life ... Elon Musk is the Steve Jobs of the present and the future, and for the past twelve months, he has been shadowed by tech reporter, Ashlee Vance. Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of Spacex and Tesla is Shaping our Future is an important, exciting and intelligent account of the real-life Iron Man.

Reviews
linkedin.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
inspiring 4.50

The reviewer praises Elon Musk's visionary leadership and the book's engaging narrative, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of Musk's ventures. They appreciate the detailed insights into Tesla and SpaceX but note that the book sometimes glosses over Musk's controversies.

The reviewer finds Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future to be a compelling read that captures the essence of Elon Musk's ambitious projects. They particularly enjoy the book's detailed account of Musk's leadership style and the innovative spirit behind Tesla and SpaceX. However, they mention that the book could have delved deeper into some of Musk's controversies and personal life, which might have provided a more balanced perspective. Overall, the reviewer appreciates the book's ability to inspire and inform, making it a great read for anyone interested in technology and entrepreneurship.

Quick quotes

    The book provides a fascinating look into the mind of a true visionary.

    Musk's leadership is both inspiring and polarizing, and the book captures this duality well.

    While the book is engaging, it sometimes feels like it skims over some of the more controversial aspects of Musk's career.

sandymaguire.me · Unknown · 2025-09-18
balanced 4.00

The reviewer initially worried the biography might be overly praising but found it balanced, offering a nuanced portrait of Elon Musk. They enjoyed the early days of PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX but criticized the author's use of Silicon Valley lingo and armchair psychology.

The reviewer initially approached Elon Musk's biography with skepticism, fearing it might be overly flattering. However, they found Ashlee Vance's work to be balanced and engaging, providing a well-rounded view of Musk's character. The book felt like a conversation with Musk himself, highlighting his ambitious and opinionated nature, which can be both admired and contentious. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the sections detailing Musk's early days at PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, finding them fascinating and relatable as someone in the tech industry. However, they took issue with the author's occasional use of Silicon Valley startup lingo and the attempt at armchair psychology towards the end, which they found unconvincing and out of place.

Quick quotes

    The biography felt more like I was the one sitting down to chat with Elon Musk over dinner.

    You could certainly understand why some people had come to despise Elon, while others had placed him on a pedestal.

    The most jarring part of the book came toward the end when Ashlee was drawing conclusions.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
engaging 4.00

The biography of Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance is a comprehensive and engaging portrait of the entrepreneur, highlighting his ambitious ventures in electric cars, space exploration, and solar energy. The book is praised for its thoroughness and wit, though it occasionally veers into hagiography.

Ashlee Vance's biography of Elon Musk offers a detailed and lively account of the tech mogul's life and achievements. The book delves into Musk's ambitious projects with Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity, portraying him as a modern-day industrial titan with a visionary outlook. The reviewer appreciates the book's thoroughness and the author's ability to capture Musk's charisma and drive. However, there are moments when the narrative leans towards hagiography, and the language can feel overly promotional. Overall, the biography provides a compelling look at a man who aims to save humanity through his innovative endeavors.

Quick quotes

    He’s the possessed genius on the grandest quest anyone has ever concocted.

    He’s less a C.E.O. chasing riches than a general marshaling troops to secure victory.

    The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads.

realclearmarkets.com · Unknown · 2022-03-24
inspiring 4.50

The reviewer found 'Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future' by Ashlee Vance to be an interesting and easy read, providing insights into Elon Musk's life and achievements. They were particularly impressed by Musk's ambition, scientific mind, and the innovative work of the people behind his companies. The book highlights Musk's vision for a colony on Mars and Tesla's advancements in electric vehicles.

The reviewer had been eager to read Ashlee Vance's biography of Elon Musk and found it to be a compelling and accessible account of Musk's journey from childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They admired Musk's no-nonsense approach, scientific mindset, and ability to work under stress. The book also shed light on the remarkable individuals who contributed to the success of SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and SolarCity, making the reviewer feel like an underachiever in comparison. One of the most exciting aspects highlighted was Musk's goal to establish a colony on Mars and turn humans into an interplanetary species. Additionally, the reviewer was impressed by Tesla's innovative electric cars, which can be recharged for free at solar-powered stations and receive software updates remotely.

Quick quotes

    I think there are probably too many smart people pursuing Internet stuff, finance, and law. That is part of the reason why we haven’t seen as much innovation.

    Tesla Motors changes everything about transportation. It's a computer on wheels.

    Elon Musk has built the automotive equivalent of the iPhone.

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