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Elon Musk

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Elon Musk

By: Walter Isaacson, Walter Isaacson - introduction
Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
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About this listen

 #1 New York Times non-fiction bestseller
#2 Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
CHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY APPLE, AMAZON, THE TIMES AND FINANCIAL TIMES

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk offers the most intimate, complete and revelatory portrait of the most fascinating and controversial innovator in the world.

For two years, Isaacson had unprecedented access to Musk, his workplaces, his family, friends, coworkers and adversaries – nothing was off-limits.

Musk’s journey from humble beginnings to one of the wealthiest people on the planet is a thrilling, mind-bending story and nobody could tell it better. Filled with amazing tales of triumph and turmoil, and lessons about leadership and business, it ultimately addresses the question everyone wants to ask: why is Elon Musk so successful?

 Business Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Inspiring Thought-Provoking Technology Science Fiction Management

Critic reviews

‘Its portrait of the tech maverick is fascinating. . . a persuasive mixture of alarm and deep admiration'
‘[Isaacson] has done something amazing with the Musk biography which is to write a 688-page quick read’
‘Whatever you think of Mr Musk, he is a man worth understanding – which makes this a book worth reading’
‘A penetrating new biography’
‘A beat-by-beat book that follows the tycoon inside important rooms, as well as exploring obscure regions of his mind’
‘A comprehensive, deeply reported chronicle of the world-shaping tech mogul’s life’
‘An experienced biographer’s comprehensive study’
‘He forms his own conclusions, which are mostly admirably balanced and mature. . . Isaacson, in his quest for a comprehensive audit of the Musk phenomenon, errs slightly on the side of the voyeur in these encounters, but I can’t blame him. It’s quite the spectacle’
‘The book contains a series of illuminating anecdotes about Musk’
'Isaacson offers both an engaging chronicle of his subject’s busy life so far and some compelling answers’
‘The most complete profile of Musk yet’
'There’s not much middle ground on Musk – people love him or hate him – but Isaacson is best positioned to figure out what makes him tick’
‘The resulting book delves deep into the billionaire’s demons, including childhood bullies and a difficult father, and interrogates their relationship to his success’
‘Isaacson deftly handles complicated matters like the development of electric vehicles, rockets and artificial intelligence while also deeply exploring Musk’s background and family’
‘This fast-paced biography. . . [is] a head-spinning tale about a vain, brilliant, sometimes cruel figure whose ambitions are actively shaping the future of human life' (Ron Charles)
‘Everything you'd expect from a book on Musk. . . While the stories are fascinating and guaranteed to spark a mountain of coverage, founders and entrepreneurs will also unearth valuable lessons’
‘The book is bursting with stories. . . A deeply engrossing tale of a spectacular American innovator’
‘Walter Isaacson’s intimate account of a tech titan’
‘this biography of Elon Musk is still fascinating. How could it not be? . . . He has spoken to practically everybody’
‘a highly readable portrait of a very unusual personality. . . It is a considerable achievement on Isaacson’s part to have persuaded this reviewer. . . to adopt a more sympathetic view of Musk and set aside much of the familiar media caricature of him.’
‘Described by the FT as a “688-page quick read” for the TikTok generation, Isaacson’s biography of the South African entrepreneur races along at bone-rattling speed. That certainly makes for an entertaining exploration of Musk the celebrity’
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely insane, you forget how much Elon has achieved.

I thought Walter Isaacson done a great job telling both sides with his achievements, showing his human side and demonstrating his will to win; whilst also addressing his demons, showing his sometimes lack of empathy and poor judgment at times.

Elon may be the most important person alive today in terms of pushing the limits of what is possible. A must read !

A masterclass in getting shit done !

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Grade: A
Difficulty level: straightforward to read, just a long book

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning more about the greatest entrepreneur of our time.

I learned what made him the man he is, what drives such a high performer, and the trade-offs that come with it.

What inspired me the most about this book is how polymathic Musk is, knowing so much about so many different fields, yet combining them in highly profitable & synergistic ways. To this day, he runs 6 companies at once, compared to the likes of Steve Jobbs, who reached a max of 3.

The author, Walter Isaacson, also wrote the biographies of Steve Jobbs, Da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin, so he knows a thing or two about creating a quality biography that’s raw and honest.

He had interviewed and spent lots of time with Musk and the people who’ve known him all his life over many years, getting a level of unfiltered insight that seemed as if he’d been a close companion of Musk his whole life.

Musk wasn’t allowed to interfere or read the biography until it was finished, which was great, as his controlling nature would have undoubtedly wanted changes, or at moments wanted to be painted in a different light.

I also learned more about how the sins of the Father can have a deep impact on people, causing them to display some of the undesirable traits themselves.

Overall, great read. Musk stands as one of the top 3 pioneers of the world at present, and we’re lucky to have such a man with such responsibility, due to his deep concern for the future of humanity, and being one of the individuals doing the most to save it.

important read

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An enjoyable and insightful look at Musk and his idiosyncratic leadership.

Plenty of great lessons for those interested in leadership and just good ol’ journalism for this simply interested in the man.

Love him or loathe him, it’s hard not to be fascinated and inspired by him.

An insight into what makes Muskism

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Good, balanced book about Musk, all his companies, and his crazy personal life. Broadly positive but presented Musk "warts and all"

Excellent

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I don't read biographies often but I was curious more about the South African part because I have friends from there. It's an interesting read no doubt and some good business lessons that you won't get in those "personal development" books.

Real business and real life side by side

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