Sherman Langford's Reviews > Steve Jobs

This is one of the best biographies I have read, although Jobs is certainly not among the favorite people whose biographies I have read. The book is engaging, the subject enormously interesting (in some ways its as much a biography of Apple as it is a biography of Steve Jobs). The history of two great technology companies (Apple and Pixar) that he led was just fascinating, and very well told. The overall portrayal of Jobs is generally positive, but the complexity of his personality, including some undeniably ugly dimensions are fully explored.

Jobs is an unbelievably fascinating study. So brilliantly creative, demanding excellence from all who worked with him. And mostly managing to get it. Deeply sensitive and passionate. Arrogant, entitled, believing normal rules of social interaction don't apply to him. "Unconscionably rude and anti-social", the way he treated people turned your stomach. Pathologically cruel. Yet with some moral compass, for instance believing Apple had a "moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone". A quote from his wife perhaps sums him up well, if a little euphemistically: "Like many men whose gifts are extraordinary, he's not extraordinary in every realm. He doesn't have social graces, such as putting himself in other people's shoes, but he cares deeply about empowering humankind, the advancement of humankind, and putting the right tools in their hands" (p. 543). One of the most interesting aspects was his "binary" thinking about everything. People, ideas, phones, computers, designs, buildings, everything was either "s***" or "perfect", no gray area in between.

Perhaps the reason I loved the book is it forced me to grapple with the dichotomy of such greatness achieved by a man who was such a jerk. Its mystifying and perplexing, but I think so well represents the human experience with all its stunning contours, paradoxes, achievement, and beauty.

A great great book that will be with me for a long time.