Well, here we are; turning the pages of the best seller biography to write a book review of the pseudo god of the new digital age, Steve Jobs. I do not attempt to critic this biography in my online book review, the attempt here made is to simply show you what is there in the book, what is important and with what “eye” it must be read. To start with Walter Isaacson took a different approach; trying to get at the “man” instead of the legend. Also, it should be noted that Walter does not have a digital background, hence those that wish to look at this book as an insight into what made Apple tick, will be mildly disappointed. Now that the ground is cleared, let’s get on with the book review shall we?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson – A Book about the man not the legend

Walter Isaacson has not painted the quintessential image of the legend that is Steve Jobs. Instead, the author has stated the facts about the Man, his childhood, and his relationships with family and co-workers. From the time that Steve Jobs was born, he found challenges that he faced exquisitely. The fact that he was put up for adoption, was adopted and so on has been well documented and if you look closely, we can see how the formative years set in stone Steve Job’s outlook on the world and himself. This Biography, although around 600 pages in length, deals mainly with Steve Jobs’ rise, fall and eventual rise again with all the narcissistic, aggressive, perfectionist traits that came to be associated with him. There is a clear view of his relationships with his family at home and his family at work. His relationships with his daughter are also meticulously documented, along with the views of abandonment that he felt towards her. This book gives you a raw Steve Jobs, and you still see him with that “I know it” smile as you realize that although this book is a biography of a legend, in reality the legend was a hard man to please and a tyrant in all respects.

In “Steve Jobs” Walter Isaacson fails to show “Apple”

Walter Isaacson may have succeeded in depicting a true portrait of Steve Jobs; however, he fails to throw light on Apple. Found wanting in many respects this biography should also have been a biography of “Apple” since you cannot have the two as separate entities in my opinion. Yes, there is a great deal written about Apple and the methodology of the workings that went there and much more, however, it lacks that quality which would give you the “aah” moment. A reason for this is unquestionably the fact that Apple and its late CEO Steve Jobs were always in the lime light. Tons of material is already available with interviews, books and even a movie, showing how things went and how Steve Jobs led his troops. This book therefore, let me down in terms of Apple and an insight into it. So if you are about to read this book for an in-depth know how of Apple and to find out some “inside information” regarding some of Apple’s tougher times, then you will be disheartened.

Walter Isaacson achieves the purpose in the book “Steve Jobs”

This book was written to understand the Man not the legend. The reason I keep stressing this point is because I want you to completely understand the purpose of this book. As I write this book review, you are probably on your way to a book shop so keep this in mind, Walter Isaacson has written about Steve Jobs, chronicled him if you will and that in itself, is an achievement. There is no other comprehensive authority on Steve Jobs than the book by Walter Isaacson, and to expect it to contain the Man and Apple and Next and Pixar, is simply too much expectation.

You may have noticed that this book review does not contain much detail regarding the actual contents. This is done on purpose; there is no point in writing all that was said about Jobs here, buy the book and find out. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson is a fabulous biography and contains insights into his past which defined his present and built our future!