Review: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off, regardless of how much you know about Jobs or Apple this is a really thorough bio. However, since I have followed apple and jobs since 1983, many of the stories in this book are well known to those who followed him and Apple. Also, most of the best bits have been put out in the media over the last several weeks. I was also struck by the fact that, as an apple watcher, how many of the "rumored" stories were either true or mostly true.

The real insight here is the fact that Jobs provided 40 interviews to Isaacson so you get to hear his take on his life. That said, I would have liked to see a bit more independent analysis from Isaacson. Its clear he likes Jobs but he never really takes a critical eye to Jobs' place in history. Isaacson is rightly critical of Jobs' personality flaws, but as to his technical and business decisions (many of which I think were right) - not so much. Perhaps that has to come when some more perspective has been gained by time and by someone more grounded in technology. That said, definitely worth the read.

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