Elon Musk

by Walter Isaacson, Ashlee Vance
Elon Musk cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Biography and Memoir
Buy online
Bookshop
Format • £18.04
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99 Hardback • £28.00
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 2680
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780753545102
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2017-01-24
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

Elon Musk is not just a tech mogul but a symbol of innovation and optimism for a brighter future. From his early days in apartheid South Africa to becoming the real-life inspiration for Iron Man, his story is one of resilience and groundbreaking achievements. He founded PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and Solar City, proving that with bold thinking, anything is possible. /n/n Musk's influence extends beyond business; he is seen as a superhero-like figure for today's youth, embodying the spirit of inventors like Steve Jobs. His work in technology and innovation offers children a vision of a more exciting and hopeful tomorrow, making him a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

Reviews
Pechey Ponderings · Pechey · 2024-03-31
positive 4.00

The reviewer praises Isaacson's deep exploration of Musk's complexity and the choices that shaped his career, highlighting the book's engaging and balanced approach.

Pechey from Pechey Ponderings offers a thoughtful review of Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk. They appreciate how the book delves deeply into Musk's complexity, exploring the various choices that have defined his career. The reviewer finds the book to be engaging and well-balanced, providing a comprehensive look at both Musk's personal and professional life. While acknowledging the challenges of capturing such a multifaceted figure, Pechey commends Isaacson for his thorough and insightful approach.

Quick quotes

    Isaacson delves deeply, yet effectively, to show how complex Musk has been and explores many of the choices made by the man whose money speaks ...

    The book is incredibly smooth, consumable, and yet not lacking in depth.

    I'm not always one for reading biographies, especially about people from this ...

The Guardian · 2023-12-17
mixed 3.50

The reviewer critiques Elon Musk's management style, highlighting his dismissals and indifferent decisions, while also exploring his genius. The book reveals a complex figure with both admirable and flawed traits.

This review from The Guardian delves into Walter Isaacson's portrayal of Elon Musk, painting him as a multifaceted individual with a mix of brilliance and significant flaws. The reviewer points out Musk's harsh management style, including sudden dismissals and seemingly indifferent decisions, which raise questions about his empathy and leadership. However, the book also acknowledges Musk's visionary genius and the impact he's had on multiple industries. The reviewer seems to present a balanced view, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of Musk's personality and career.

Quick quotes

    Isaacson's study of Musk's management style is filled with sudden dismissals, capricious decision-making and apparently sociopathic indifference ...

    The narrative is filled with moments of similar dissonance, with Isaacson quick to praise Musk's incessant risk-taking after a disaster, or to

    The book feels repetitive, especially when discussing Musk's management style and decision-making.

Reddit - r/elonmusk · 2023-10-25
positive 4.50

Reddit users discuss Isaacson's biography, praising his masterful insight into Musk's world and relationships, while also acknowledging the man's relentless work ethic.

In this Reddit thread, users share their thoughts on Walter Isaacson's Elon Musk biography. Many praise Isaacson's ability to provide direct insight into Musk's world, offering a forensic evaluation of his influential relationships, both good and bad. The discussion highlights Musk's relentless work ethic and the complexity of his character. Overall, the community seems to appreciate the depth and balance of the biography, though some acknowledge the challenges of fully capturing such a dynamic figure.

Quick quotes

    Isaacson is masterful. Direct insight into Elon's world and forensic evaluation of his family and influential relationships (both good and bad).

    I read it, huge musk fan here to begin with. Makes you realize the guy is a workhorse and ...

    Did the Walter Isaacson biography improve or ... 650 answers 25 Oct 2023

Astral Codex Ten · Scott Alexander · 2023-09-13
fascinating 4.00

The reviewer finds Musk to be brilliant and deeply involved in various fields. They appreciate the comprehensive nature of the biography.

Scott Alexander's review on Astral Codex Ten highlights Elon Musk's brilliance and his involvement in a wide range of industries. Alexander praises Ashlee Vance's ability to capture Musk's multifaceted personality and his deep understanding of various fields. They note that Musk's questioning nature and his ability to engage with complex topics make him a fascinating subject. The review also touches on Musk's impact on technology and innovation, emphasizing his role as a visionary leader.

Quick quotes

    Elon is brilliant. He's involved in just about everything.

    He understands everything.

    If he asks you a question, you learn very quickly not to give a stupid answer.

Appears in Lists