From a jerk to a genius, the life and work of Steve Jobs is one that has intrigued many to say the least. Very possibly, Jobs was the greatest innovator of our time. He was revolutionary. Ironically, one of his life songs–The Beatle’s “Revolution” speaks to Jobs desire to “want to change the world” and truly ignite a revolution.
In the book, Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson does an incredible job of giving the reader an inside look into the life of the man, the myth and the legend that we know as the creator and leader of Apple Inc. This biography truly provides an insider’s point-of-view because Jobs allowed Isaacson to get up close and personal. In fact, the author and the subject became friends–spending time together, taking long walks or sitting in the Jobs’ family room hearing stories. Isaacson even sat at the edge of Steve’s bed just days before he resigned as CEO of Apple as Steve recounted and told stories, shared his personal struggles and even showed Isaacson pictures of his father, Paul Jobs.
The book is unique because it is almost an autobiography due to the depth of detail provided by Jobs, his family, friends and associates, yet it is the work still remains objective and raw. The reader can see the positives and negatives of the life of Jobs and reap valuable insights and lessons in leadership and business. There were so many times that I personally was inspired by Steve Job’s drive for excellence and detail. As you read, you will be astonished that parts of our modern world from cell phones to the music industry are the way they are in a large part to Jobs’ contributions. Some of the lessons you can reap from the book are not necessarily “best practices” but instead ways and ideas of how not to do something.
The only downside to the book is length. It covers just about every part of Jobs’ life from childhood up through days just before his death. Most of the time, the stories were interesting enough to hold the reader’s attention, though at some points your mind may wander. However, overall the book is a must-read for anyone that wants to be an innovative, cutting edge leader that, as Steve Jobs said, will “make a dent in the universe.”