Becoming Steve Jobs

by Brent Schlender
Becoming Steve Jobs cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 907
  • Added: 2025-09-21
  • Updated: 2025-09-21
  • ISBN: 9781444762006
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2015-03-24
  • Formats: 25
  • Reviews: 3

Becoming Steve Jobs offers a fresh perspective on the life of the iconic tech visionary, focusing on the pivotal decade after his ousting from Apple. Through exclusive interviews and unprecedented access, the book delves into how Jobs reinvented himself and his approach to leadership, ultimately leading Apple to unprecedented heights. This intimate biography challenges conventional narratives and provides a nuanced portrait of one of the most influential figures in modern history. The author, who knew Jobs better than anyone, explores the personal and professional growth that turned a reckless upstart into a visionary business leader, answering long-standing questions about what truly drove his success.

Reviews
Alex Meehan's Blog · Alex Meehan · 2015-09-09
insightful 4.00

The reviewer finds the book important for shedding new light on Jobs's life but expresses regret over some interactions with the subject.

Alex Meehan's review of 'Becoming Steve Jobs' highlights the book's significance in providing additional insights into Steve Jobs's life. Meehan notes that the book is important for the new perspectives it offers, but also mentions that the author, Brent Schlender, regrets some of his interactions with Jobs. This adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making it a compelling read for those interested in understanding Jobs's multifaceted personality.

Quick quotes

    It's clear that Schlender regrets some of his interactions with his subject.

    Becoming Steve Jobs is an important book for the additional light...

    This moving book reveals the many sides to the Buddhist but fiercely capitalist Steve Jobs.

Wired · 2015-04-14
critical 2.50

The reviewer suspects Steve Jobs would not have appreciated this biography, finding it unflattering and critical.

The Wired reviewer expresses doubt that Steve Jobs would have liked 'Becoming Steve Jobs'. They find the biography critical and unflattering, suggesting it paints Jobs in a less favorable light compared to other biographies. The reviewer's tone is skeptical, indicating that the book might not be the most favorable portrayal of Jobs. This perspective offers a critical view of the book, which could be valuable for readers looking for a more balanced understanding of Jobs's legacy.

Quick quotes

    I suspect that Steve Jobs would not be thrilled with Becoming Steve Jobs, a new business biography by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli.

    The main point of the new business-oriented biography 'Becoming Steve Jobs,' by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli is that Steve Jobs has been misrepresented.

    Isaacson, says Cook, did Jobs a 'tremendous disservice' by rehashing 'a bunch of stuff that had already been written' and presenting 'somebody I ...'

The New York Times · 2015-03-31
mixed 3.00

The reviewer feels the book doesn't significantly improve Jobs's posthumous reputation. They highlight that Jobs is portrayed as an incorrigible perfectionist.

The reviewer from The New York Times suggests that 'Becoming Steve Jobs' doesn't do much to enhance Steve Jobs's legacy. They point out that the book portrays Jobs as a perfectionist, much like previous accounts. However, they also acknowledge that the book provides new insights into Jobs's personal and professional life. The reviewer seems to have mixed feelings about the book, appreciating the new details but not finding it groundbreaking.

Quick quotes

    The new book doesn't really succeed in improving Jobs's posthumous reputation.

    Isaacson showed Jobs as an incorrigible perfectionist who often...

    There have been many books—on a large and small scale—about the life of Steve Jobs.

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