Steve Jobs

Written by Walter Isaacson

Narrated by Dylan Baker

2012 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year

Walter Isaacson’s “enthralling” (The New Yorker) worldwide bestselling biography of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs.

Based on more than forty interviews with Steve Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than 100 family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in 21st century was to connect creativity with technology. He built a company where leaps of the imagination were combined with remarkable feats of engineering.

Although Jobs cooperated with the author, he asked for no control over what was written. He put nothing off-limits. He encouraged the people he knew to speak honestly. And Jobs speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about the people he worked with and competed against. His friends, foes, and colleagues provide an unvarnished view of the passions, perfectionism, obsessions, artistry, devilry, and compulsion for control that shaped his approach to business and the innovative products that resulted.

Driven by demons, Jobs could drive those around him to fury and despair. But his personality and products were interrelated, just as Apple’s hardware and software tended to be, as if part of an integrated system. His tale is instructive and cautionary, filled with lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values.

Steve Jobs is the inspiration for the movie of the same name starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels, directed by Danny Boyle with a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781442346956

Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Elon Musk, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023. Visit him at Isaacson.Tulane.edu.

Reviews for Steve Jobs

[George E. Andrews Jr. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was well written and engaging. I would also recommend the authors two other biographies.

[Denis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. So motivating and inspiring! Steve is one of the greatest people who have ever lived

[Marty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very sad and fascinating story of a brutal genius.

[juan2486 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Long book but easy to read and very well written. It broadly tells you about his life, both the well-known and the more unusual things that were part of him. How Apple emerged, its products, Pixar, etc. You end up understanding quite well a visionary (with his dark sides) like he was, who practically changed the planet. (Translated from Spanish)

[Sdepelle28 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Isaacson writes a detailed and extensive biography. It includes very relevant quotes and, as the author usually does, a good technical knowledge of Jobs' specific areas. Despite its length, it focuses too much on certain aspects and almost completely neglects others that could be interesting (such as his political opinions). (Translated from Spanish)

[almaanvi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book has good ideas about leadership. In my opinion, the author writes in such a way that it seems Jobs was the wisest man in the world. I think that some of the things Jobs did could be done differently and better. The book has good lessons; I take the best from it and adapt it to my style. (Translated from Spanish)

[Fmrigotti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book seemed great to me; the author manages to convey the personality of this extraordinary genius who transformed entire industries with disruptive innovations, creating great products. The book covers his life, his personality, his relationships with his environment, friends, family, and employees, as well as his internal struggles. Highly recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[brianmfr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent advice. (Translated from Spanish)

[Latorreoscar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Surely this book will be part of my yearly rotation... very inspiring if you are starting a business. (Translated from Spanish)

[MafeSilva · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Incredible how it conveys Steve's personality, which for many is not empathetic at all. (Translated from Spanish)

[Josepachecom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An interesting book that shows us the successes and failures of this great genius, it does not hide his virtues or his flaws. A book that can inspire many. (Translated from Spanish)

[FreddyCuenca9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is the best book I have ever read in my life. (Translated from Spanish)

[Monzn007 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A complete work that encompasses the personal and professional life of Steve Jobs, how they complement each other, changed the world, and created the most prestigious brand in the world. (Translated from Spanish)

[Carjov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although it is true that the first, introductory part of the book was quite difficult for me, especially due to the computer jargon and the variety of names that kept appearing, little by little, as I progressed, I became captivated. I believe the author demonstrates meticulous research/documentation work, and what is most difficult, he manages to completely capture the complex personality of Steve Jobs. (Translated from Spanish)

[Cristianjsv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The truth is I would have liked the advice sections to be longer, but since I liked the author, I will continue with the biography that is written by him. (Translated from Spanish)

[Pelón · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is the result of the excellent research conducted by Walter Isaacson. It relates not only great passages of his life but also introduces us to his world, allowing us to know his ghosts and fears. We experience his daily life. We listen to him in his conferences. We also witness his battle against cancer, which ultimately took him away forever. Without a doubt, a very interesting book. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ernesto Capristo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the way Jobs' ideology is portrayed, very similar or on par with what can be seen in the movie.

It has a lot to offer despite being a very short read. (Translated from Spanish)

[SantiagoCceres · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mandatory reading for entrepreneurs. The book is easy and quick to read. (Translated from Spanish)

[cgonzalezvera · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read it a few months after Steve Jobs' death. I thought it was very well written because Jobs' entire life portrayed by the writer seemed fascinating, as was his personality and his very particular character. (Translated from Spanish)

[Javier Rosenberg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With this book, we can learn both the good and the bad, as well as how to achieve our dreams. (Translated from Spanish)

[PatoSM · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I believe it was Henry Ford who once said: "If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have answered: a faster horse!" People don't know what they want until you show it to them...
Steve Jobs (Translated from Spanish)

[Galaxuss96 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book shows us the life of a genius like Steve Jobs and what his early experiences were and what he learned from them; he was a rebel who showed the world how to do things in a simpler way. (Translated from Spanish)

[TinchoFM · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book undoubtedly tailored for the fans of Jobs and Apple because it tells everything, the good and the bad. Everything that happened was necessary for this influential figure to change our lives forever. I am writing this review from a Macbook Pro with my iPhone beside me and the Apple Watch on my wrist. Isaacson writes really clearly and with a lot of rhythm. (Translated from Spanish)

[chaito · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It accounts for both the lights and the shadows, it is neither partial nor grandiloquent. Pleasant to read despite its detailed nature and covering from Steve Jobs' childhood. (Translated from Spanish)