Monday, January 7, 2013

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson


I have finished the monstrosity that is the Steve Jobs Biography. The last chapter sounds like the pitch to publishers, and if you want the summary of the whole book that's all you need to read. I got through the obsessive repetition; exact sentences are copy-pasted throughout the whole book. Obviously there was a push to be on the market days after Jobs' death, but with his only perfection attitude, he's surely rolling in the grave. I was hoping it would end with 'he died on a Tuesday, yadda yadda, explain funeral, yadda yadda' but no, the ending is a disappointing drawn out recollection of mini uninteresting interviews with his kids followed by more bland summary description.


I enjoyed reading about Jobs' philosophy, the whole A players only want to play with A players, B players must not be tolerated. Then the idea that integrated systems is best, collaboration between each department creates a synergy for a product, and a reputation for excellence, nothing less. I've read a lot of business and management books, and Jobs' recipe is the opposite to a Politically Correct and Human Resources friendly work environment.


There are some good nuggets, like the Pixar story, dating Joan Baez, and finding out he had a sister when he finally sought out his birth mother, but unless like me, you love and are passionate about the intersection of art and technology, or leaving behind a corporate legacy, you'll probably rue the day you picked up this heavy book about the life of a narcissist. I look forward to a racy retelling or a handbook just filled with Steve Jobs quotes.

3 comments:

  1. Must read book of life time... if u dont know and dont read about this legend..?? then u r wasting the whole life... Wow what a book... His writing is extraordinary .... hats off to walter issacson ..... I like steve jobs before also... no one can forget his legacy... he is my role model.... but After reading this book... steve becomes god in my mind.....
    Must read one... plz do it soon before u die... :D

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    1. Yes, I realized later that it really is an excellent book, because there were many memorable moments. I just wish some more editing out had happened. But yes, he did leave a wonderful legacy, but only time can tell if Apple can strive without him as the visionary.

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  2. Thanks for reading the post. Have you read the book?

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