Books: Steve Jobs

The number of pages was my first concern. In order to finish reading, you need to invest a lot of time. The second concern was even more important. What can you learn about a man about whom a lot have been written already. If your thoughts echo my concerns, then do not think further. Pick up the book. The biography of the genius written by Walter Isaacson is captivating and an easy read.

The authorized biography traces the life of Steve Jobs chronologically from adoption till a few days before succumbing to cancer. Isaacson interlaces the narrative with excerpts from the various interviews he conducted with Jobs and also scores of other people who was associated to Jobs personally and professionally. This helps the reader to understand different perspectives while making one's own conclusion of the events. This technique prevents the book from disintegrating into a passive reading of what we all know by now. On the flip side, some of the events are so popular that the excitement is lost before reading it. Luckily, these are very few.

The two most powerful themes of the book is passion for the right design and the phenomenon dubbed as Jobs' signature persuasive technique namely reality distortion field. The passion for right design was instilled in Jobs by his adopted father from his early days. The right design always produces a product which adopted easily. That might be one of the reasons why his adopted dad is featured more than the rest of his family. The use of reality distortion field is the way Jobs motivates people to perform the impossible. You may frown at this. But it has always produced results for Jobs and also benefited his customers.

Steve Jobs also has an unpleasant side to him. These are also impartially written in the book. The author deliberately wants the reader to interpret these using their own sensibilities. Because of all these, Steve jobs ends up as a man blessed with intelligence and a passion to change the world.

So if you haven't read it, pick up the book. Some of the events happened during our life. When we were growing up, the world was changing beyond our imagination.

Tags: Books,Walter Isaacson,Steve Jobs