Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography

I'm not a fan of all of the approaches that Apple take to their products, but I do greatly appreciate and respect what they do well, and there's an awful lot they do exceptionally well.

With that proviso I found this book excellent and informative, I learnt things that I wasn't aware with regard to the links between Jobs / Wozniak and the early days of computing in the home, that I grew up with as a child. I also gained a great insight into the incredible attention to detail that has been part of everything Jobs has been involved in.

Jobs' utter dedication to perfection and driving those around him to achieve great things is brilliant, but is balanced by a character that, during his work life at least, has almost no empathy for others around him.

It's very much a warts 'n' all book in that sense, but the passion that Jobs and those that he surrounded himself with brought to their product design is inspiring to read, and leaves the reader wondering whether Apple would be what it is today if he'd been a little more sympathetic. I'm also left wondering whether the Apple he leaves behind will continue to create the new markets that now exist simply because of products Apple created, or improved, way beyond what others had done before.

The other sections of teh book are equally engaging, especially the sections about his time with Pixar where Jobs' more human side seems to come through and the genius of those around him is given more visibility.

I'm left with a view of a (literally) fatally flawed genius, whose passion drove some amazingly skilled people to do great things, but whose personality I dislike as much as I appreciate the products he helped to create.

The best audiobook (and book) I've ever heard (or read). Insightful and well written Jobs led a very colourful life and for those interested in business you'll learn more by listening to this book than you will from the equivalent time in lectures at business school (though I'd probably ignore anything to do with human resource management from the school of Jobs!)

I didn't think I could manage 25hrs of an audio book, but I was enthralled with it. It confirms that Steve Jobs was not the kind of person many people would want to work for but was a genius who managed to put together Apple twice and Pixar. He was a visionary and he has changed the way many of us now work and play.

Very well wtitten biography. I am not an apple fan or consumer, but I always admired Steve Jobs. Even though I dont think he was a good person, he revolutionised the world of technology.
I was afraid that this might be a one-sided story, but it seems to give an objective image of Steve's life. The story is based on interviews with Jobs and a lot of other people who knew him.

Highly recomended

Must admit I've worked in IT for years, and only recently bought an iPhone and then a iPad so I was curious about Jobs - the man who became a bit of an IT legend. While the book won't fulfil everyone (esp. if you already know a lot about Jobs and his career), for me, it was an interesting insight into a truly inspiring character. I liked it. Not an earth shattering book - but the closest to the true person I'd expect.

No words to describe how much I enjoyed this. An ultimate classic for 'rebels' and 'odds'.

First the bad.. Essentially flawed - jumps around in time sometimes... Not as technical as I would have liked in important places. Accuracy of some things can be disputed. Feels written in a rush in places and could have done with more editing and rearranging.
Now the good. This totally overcomes the bad. This is a gripping Bio and well worth the hours of time to listen to. It is entertaining and really makes you think. It holds nothing back. In years to come there will be other more balanced BIO's perhaps with a more technical lean to them. Until then, this is the book to read.
I still give it 5 stars for effort.

For anyone who finds business and the history of computers interesting, this is a must read. It has inspired me to do better both professionally and personally. An excellent book. Oh, and just one more thing, I listened to it on my iPhone.

I am a PC. and have always slated apple software mostly because i jumped on the bandwagon with every other windows man and because i am ignorant towards apple, having listened to this book i have to say i am completely overwelmed on how fantastic steve jobs and apple was/is, i have always loved the design but did not relise the barriers he broke to get there. Amazing read if you love technology, desgin and creativity. and please read this before you slag of an apple product. i feel like an idiot now!

Really interesting look at jobs life and his achievements. The author pulls no punches when it comes to jobs reputation. A really interesting and enjoyable read.