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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Read this. In the book, you get to see how Steve’s character grows. You get to fall in love with a man who accomplished so much and literally changed the world. This book made me appreciate my own Mac and iPhone and see them in a new light. I was for the first time able to appreciate all the nuances of design that went into Apple devices. At the same time, it made me acutely aware of the cage Apple has created in the name of protecting user experience and convenience. In the open vs. closed debate, I tend to side on the open side theoretically but still own an iPhone and a Mac. That is likely to change.
To use the technical phrase from the book, Steve Jobs was a jerk. He was driven and forceful and sought to control and dominate everything and everyone. But he was also creative and had a strong sense of purpose. He will be remembered for the products he brought into being, but the methods he used should never be excused.
A seriously fascinating biography, particularly for anyone who is interested in the history of technology. I came out of this feeling as if it was very accurate as well, as opposed to just being flattering. In fact, it's NOT flattering, which I think makes it even better. I didn't come out of this book thinking that Jobs was a nice person, but I did come out of it thinking that he really did change the world. Some very good research and writing went into this.
slow-paced
A really wonderful and compassionate book about a guy who was not known for his own compassion. We've probably all heard the stories of how much of a jerk Steve Jobs could be. Issacson doesn't downplay those, but he also gives ample airtime to how complex, tortured, and brilliant Jobs really was.
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Great book to understand Steve Jobs as a person and what he has done in the technological revolution
Unbiased look on jobs and how he ran apple and Pixar and came up with the innovations we rely on and love today. Author provides a picture of what a difficult and unique person jobs was. Zen, fruitatarian, obsessed with perfection in design...seemingly difficult and at times unfeeling or unaware of others. Liked the balance on discussing his family life, relationship with others in the industry, and his own sense of what he'd (jobs) accomplished. I'd say 3.5 stars...which for me is a high rating for a biography.
More of a 4.5/5
I usually avoid biographies and autobiographies because they don't seem very cool to read. Like who wants to read about another person's life when you can read about literally anything in the world. But this Walter Isaacson fella knows what he's up to. This book was so addicting, partly because of how interesting and theatrical Steve Jobs is as a person, but more so because Isaacson made me feel like I know Steve. Like he would talk about Steve criticising something and I'd just be thinking 'classic Steve!' It's honestly crazy. I did also get kind of influenced by Jobs in that I've actually started noticing and appreciating good design more. Just a really cool and fun book and I can't wait to read more of these 'genius biographies'.
I usually avoid biographies and autobiographies because they don't seem very cool to read. Like who wants to read about another person's life when you can read about literally anything in the world. But this Walter Isaacson fella knows what he's up to. This book was so addicting, partly because of how interesting and theatrical Steve Jobs is as a person, but more so because Isaacson made me feel like I know Steve. Like he would talk about Steve criticising something and I'd just be thinking 'classic Steve!' It's honestly crazy. I did also get kind of influenced by Jobs in that I've actually started noticing and appreciating good design more. Just a really cool and fun book and I can't wait to read more of these 'genius biographies'.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced