Daniel's Reviews > Steve Jobs

A biographer who can't consider their subject's life-work objectively will have trouble writing a clear, objective biography. That's what happened here.

Steve Jobs was a volatile personality, and Isaacson is very proud of the fact that Jobs didn't read this book, or influence it, and probably wouldn't like many parts of it. You won't forget that Isaacson faithfully records Jobs' prickliness, because he helpfully reminds you each step of the way.

But Isaacson is unselfconsciously an Apple fan. Apple makes "awesome" and "revolutionary" products, and, he implies, no other company could have done the same. Jobs was difficult, but we never could have gotten these amazing computers without him, or his bullying. Isaacson is unwilling to ask whether Apple is a good company. The glow of Jobs' halo is on every page.

The book filled in some parts of Apple's history that I didn't know, and I enjoyed that, but his loose handling of the parts I am familiar with makes me cautious.

If you're pressed for time, see the Ashton Kutcher film instead. It only covers the first third of Jobs' career, but it feels just like this book. This is one ageing Baby Boomer too impressed with another.