Steve jobs walter isaxon essay. "Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs. Biography . The True Story of a Genius Walter Isaacson

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Title: Steve Jobs. Biography
Author: Walter Isaacson
Year: 2011
Genre: Biographies and Memoirs, Documentary literature, Popular business stories, Foreign business literature, Foreign journalism

About the book “Steve Jobs. Biography". The True Story of a Genius Walter Isaacson

Book “Steve Jobs. Biography" caused a lot of thoughts in me, primarily because I had never read such lengthy biographies before. I want to say right away that I have never had a passionate desire to buy myself an iPhone, iPod, iPad or any other gadget with a logo in the shape of a bitten apple. I did not understand the general euphoria regarding the appearance of a new model of Apple device. Therefore, I guarantee that I am writing a review of the book “Steve Jobs” without rose-colored glasses.

You can download the book itself at the bottom of the page in rtf, epub, fb2, txt format.

You may ask, why did I need to read the biography of Steve Jobs if I am not a fan of Apple technology? It's very simple: this man, be that as it may, really made a large-scale revolution in the digital world. I was very interested in how he managed this, and in general, what it’s like to have innovative thinking, to actually predict the future.

Walter Isaacson was able to tell the story of Jobs' life in a very interesting and, what is even more important for me, truthful way. Yes, geniuses are characterized by strange behavior; sometimes it can be very difficult to be with them, especially to those closest to them. It was the same with Steve: his changeable moods, ruthlessness on the path to perfection, coldness towards his daughters or ability to offend a worthy employee - all this made him more of a technical tyrant than a master creator.

I really liked that Steve put quality of work above all else. The fact that he himself could be proud of his product was the highest reward for him. And for Jobs, unlike many of his competitors, it was important first of all to create perfection, and not to sell poorly made consumer goods.

Yes, I don’t argue, sometimes Jobs went too far in his desire to control absolutely everything. However, this did not stop him from creating high-quality and more modern computers, tablets, phones and players. Perhaps not everyone liked it - but that was Steve's character.

Walter Isaacson noted very well that Jobs may have developed a desire to be first in everything after he learned the story of his adoption. The fact that his parents abandoned him at one time only made him stronger. Although this is also the merit of the father who raised him: it was Paul Jobs who taught his son to be neat and perfectionist, showing that every detail in a product is important. It seems to me that he taught Steve to really love his job.

Perhaps Walter Isaacson's book Steve Jobs. Biography" will ever become part of . I sincerely believe in this. In general, I recommend it to anyone who would like to become as successful and talented a businessman as Steve Jobs.

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Quotes from the book “Steve Jobs. Biography". The True Story of a Genius Walter Isaacson

"The problem for Apple is that they're still trying to sell caviar in a world where everyone's happy with a cracker and cheese."

Praise be to the madmen. To the rebels. Troublemakers. To the losers. To those who are always inappropriate and out of place. For those who see the world differently. They don't follow the rules. They laugh at the norms. You can quote them, argue with them, glorify or curse them. But just ignoring them is impossible. After all, they bring change. They push humanity forward. And let someone say: madmen, we say: geniuses. After all, only a madman believes that he is able to change the world - and therefore changes it.

It seems to me that all religions are just different doors to the same house. Sometimes I believe this house exists, sometimes I don't.

Madmen, confident that they can change the world, actually change it.

“He who has finished being born begins to die.”

We did the impossible because we didn't know it was impossible.

Remembering death is the best way I know to avoid the trap that the idea of ​​having something to lose can lead you into. You're already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

If you want to live your life creatively, like an artist, you shouldn't look back often. You must be willing to throw away everything you have achieved and who you have become.

Nowadays, it is tempting to think that all projects can be developed in emails and chats. But this is crazy. Ideas are born in chance meetings and outside conversations. You bump into someone, ask how they’re doing, get excited, and soon you’re bubbling with a million ideas.

Walter Isaacson

Steve Jobs

Characters

Clara Agopyan-Jobs. Daughter of Armenian emigrants. In 1946 she married Paul Jobs. In 1955, the couple adopted Steve.

Jonathan "Joni" Ive. Lead designer Apple Jobs' partner and confidant.

Robert Iger. Since 2005 - Eisner's successor as head Disney.

Gil Amelio. In 1996 he became executive director Apple bought NeXT, brought Jobs back.

Bill Atkinson. One of the first employees Apple developer of graphics programs for Macintosh.

Chrisann Brennan. Jobs' girlfriend at Homestead School, mother of his daughter Lisa.

Lisa Brennan-Jobs. Daughter of Jobs and Chrisann Brennan. Born in 1978. At first Jobs did not recognize her.

Nolan Bushnell. Founder of the company Atari. A model businessman for Jobs.

James Vincent. Junior partner of Lee Clow and Duncan Milner in an advertising agency Apple. UK native. Music lover.

Stephen Wozniak. He graduated from school in Homestead. Geek and computer genius. Jobs figured out a better way to present and sell his amazing wiring diagrams.

Jean-Louis Gasset. Chapter Apple in France. In 1985, after Jobs was fired, he headed the division Macintosh.

Bill Gates. Another computer prodigy born in 1955.

Abdulfattah "John" Jandali. Biological father of Steve Jobs and Mona Simpson. Born in Syria, graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Subsequently he headed the food service at Boomtown Resort & Casino near Reno.

Eve Jobs. Youngest daughter of Steve Jobs and Lauren Powell. Energetic, agile, lively.

Patty Jobs. Adopted daughter of Clara and Paul Jobs. Adopted two years after Steve was adopted.

Paul Reingold Jobs. Steve's adoptive father. Born in Wisconsin. Served in the Coast Guard.

Reed Jobs. The eldest son of Steve Jobs and Laurene Powell. He inherited his father's charming appearance and his mother's kindness.

Erin Jobs. Middle daughter of Steve Jobs and Lauren Powell. Quiet, calm, serious.

Ron Johnson. Hired by Jobs in 2000 to promote stores Apple.

Jeffrey Katzenberg. Chapter Disney Studios. In 1994, he quarreled with Eisner, quit and became a co-founder Dream Works SKG.

Daniel Kottke. Jobs's best friend from Reed University, traveled with him to India, one of the first employees Apple.

Deborah "Debi" Coleman. Brave Team Manager Mac early period. Subsequently responded to Apple for production.

Tim Cook. Chief Operating Officer (since August 25, 2011 - General Director) Apple. Reliable and calm person. Hired by Jobs in 1998.

Eddie Q. Head of Internet Division and Vice President Apple. Jobs's right hand in everything related to cooperation with content supply companies.

Bill Campbell. Head of Marketing during Jobs's first tenure at Apple. After returning in 1997, he became a member of the board of directors and a confidant of Jobs.

Edwin Catmull. One of the founders Pixar; subsequently chapter Disney.

John Lasseter. One of the founders and chief creatives Pixar.

Daniel Levin. Marketing director who worked with Jobs first in Apple, then in NeXT.

Mike Markkula. The first major investor and chairman of the board of directors Apple. Unquestioned authority for Jobs.

Mike Murray. One of the first marketing directors Macintosh.

Paul Otellini. Head of the company Intel. Helped translate Macintosh to processors Intel, but never signed a contract for iPhone.

Lauren Powell. Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Worked in a bank Goldman Sachs and at Stanford. In 1991, she married Steve Jobs. Wise and kind woman.

Arthur Rock. Legendary investor Apple and one of the first members of the board of directors. Unquestioned authority for Jobs.

Jonathan "Ruby" Rubinstein. Jobs' colleague NeXT. In 1997 he became the main developer of the equipment Apple.

Mona Simpson. Jobs's sister. They learned about their relationship in 1986 and have been in close contact ever since. Writer. Anywhere But Here depicts her relationship with her mother, Ordinary Guy depicts Jobs and his daughter Lisa, and The Lost Father depicts her father, Abdulfattah Jandali.

John Scully. Supervisor Pepsi. Jobs hired him as CEO in 1983 Apple. He quarreled with Jobs and in 1985 initiated his dismissal.

Mike Scott. In 1977 Markkula appointed him president Apple and Jobs's boss.

Burrell Smith. First Mac team programmer. A man of outstanding intelligence and angelic appearance. Restless nature; one of those who really burns at work. In the 1990s he became ill with schizophrenia.

Alvy Ray Smith. One of the founders Pixar. Conflicted with Jobs.

Avadis "Evi" Tevanyan. Worked with Jobs and Rubinstein in NeXT. In 1997 he became the chief software developer Apple.

Ron Wayne. Met Jobs at Atari. Together with Jobs and Wozniak, he stood at the origins Apple but short-sightedly abandoned his stake.

Tony Fadell. Engineer, admitted to the Apple for development iPod.

Scott Forstall. Vice President Apple By iOS.

Robert Friedland. Reed University graduate, apple farm manager, follower of Eastern philosophy. Had a great influence on Jobs. Currently, he is the owner of a mining company.

Andy Hertzfeld. Software developer, Jobs' teammate Mac. Friendly and cheerful person.

Elizabeth Holmes. Daniel Kottke's girlfriend at Reed University, one of the first employees Apple.

Rod Holt. Electrical engineer hired by Jobs in 1976 to work on Apple II. Heavy smoker. Marxist.

Joanna Hoffman. First team member Mac. I dared to argue with Jobs.

Kobun Chino Otogawa. Soto Zen master from California, Jobs' spiritual mentor.

Joan Schieble Jandali Simpson. Biological mother of Steve Jobs. Wisconsin native. She gave her son to foster parents. Raised Jobs' sister, Mona Simpson.

Michael Eisner. Head of the corporation Disney. A tough and demanding person. Made a deal with Pixar, after which he quarreled with Jobs.

Al Alcorn. Chief engineer of the company Atari. Created a computer game Pong and hired Jobs.

Larry Ellison. Head of the company Oracle, Jobs's close friend.

Preface: How did this book come about?

In the early summer of 2004, Steve Jobs called me. Over the years I've known him, there have been periodic bouts of friendliness, especially when he was planning a new product and wanted me to put a photo on the cover of a magazine. Time or told about a new product CNN, where I worked then. But since I no longer worked there, Steve showed up infrequently. We chatted about the Aspen Institute, where I had recently moved to work, and I invited him to speak at our summer camp in Colorado. Steve replied that he would be happy to come, but there would be no speeches. Instead, he suggested we go for a walk and talk.

This seemed strange to me. I didn’t yet know that Steve prefers to have all his serious conversations during long walks. As it turned out, he wanted me to write his biography. I just had a book out on Benjamin Franklin and I was working on the next one on Albert Einstein. Of course, I jokingly asked if he considered himself the successor to these two geniuses. I believed that Jobs' career was in full swing, with many ups and downs ahead, and I refused. He replied that not now. Maybe in ten or twenty years, when he retires.

Wrote three years ago. That is, he wrote it, in fact, for more than one year. But three years ago she came out. And, unfortunately, the main character of the book never saw her. But Isaacson’s creation instantly became a bestseller in many countries around the world - about the same as the inventions of Steve Jobs.

This is not the first time Isaacson has become interested in someone else's biography. Before that, he studied and described in detail the lives of Henry Kissinger, Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. But we can assume that the biography of Steve Jobs was the most difficult for him. Firstly, Isaacson's protagonist meticulously read each chapter, which (like Jobs' incredible charisma) certainly influenced the author's impartiality. Secondly, Jobs’s nature was so contradictory that even the same events in his life could be commented on by different people in diametrically opposed ways. And thirdly, Steve Jobs became an icon during his lifetime, and Isaacson had to manage and not offend the most devoted fans of the modern genius.

As a result, the weighty volume has long become one of the most discussed books of recent years. Before Isaacson, there had been attempts to write something like a biography of Jobs, but none of their authors could get so close to the main character. People who worked with Jobs also wrote memoirs. But they can hardly be considered objective, since Jobs was quick to punish and judge, and managed to offend a lot of people. Isaacson, even being in love with his character, was able to study him from all sides, without turning a blind eye to, including bad deeds. And his book organically combines biographical details, technical details, and comments from other people - both those who were deeply offended by Jobs and those who looked at him in awe. This is probably why Isaacson’s work is still considered the most complete and objective. And worthy of film adaptation.

In fact, one film that used details obtained by Isaacson was already released last year. It's called "Steve Jobs: Empire of Seduction." Ashton Kutcher played the main role in it, and this alone caused serious criticism from both Jobs fans and critics. The fact that the film was released quite quickly after Jobs' death, and the script was replete with inaccuracies and embellishments, also made few people happy, so Empire of Seduction failed miserably at the box office. But now all attention is focused on David Fincher, who has decided to film Walter Isaacson’s book.

Fincher is awe-inspiring in his own right. Almost everything he filmed has become history. A master of almost Hitchcockian suspense, he was able to make even the film “The Social Network,” dedicated to the young creator of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, nervous and poignant. What can we say about Jobs, each of whose inventions is worthy of a separate picture.

The book was adapted for film by Aaron Sorkin, another person whose name is valuable in cinematic circles. He was always attracted to figures like Jobs - powerful, authoritarian, bright loners. Series based on his scripts - "The West Wing", "Sporting News", "Studio 60 Sunset Square" - have already been included in screenwriting textbooks. And Fincher’s “The Social Network” wouldn’t be so exciting if Sorkin hadn’t written the script for it.

So the team filming the biography of Steve Jobs, written by Isaacson, is already credible.

It recently became known that Fincher invited Oscar winner Christian Bale to play the lead role in the film. Bale, by his own admission, tired of Batman and other superhero roles, happily grabbed the role of the “nerd”. True, this nerd still became a superhero - only from the world of technology, and in general he went all the way that the authors of famous comics paved for their characters.

According to Aaron Sorkin, the script has already been completed and approved by Sony. The entire film, as conceived by the screenwriter, is built on three long scenes unfolding behind the scenes of the three most important events in the life of Steve Jobs: the presentations of Mac, Next and iPod.

Walter Isaacson's book "Steve Jobs" was published by Corpus on November 30, 2011.

Walter Isaacson (born 1952 in the USA) is a writer, journalist, author of biographies of Jobs, Franklin, Kissinger and Einstein. He headed the television company CNN and was the editor-in-chief of Time magazine. President of the Aspen Institute.

Complexity of presentation

The target audience

This is a biography book about one of the most famous and complex people on the planet, the genius of the 21st century, Steve Jobs. It contains conversations with him, his family, friends, colleagues and detractors. The author described the life of a talented businessman who applied a simple formula to achieving success: creativity + technology. The book contains many interesting facts, interviews with various people, as well as jokes and figures.

Apple has become the world's most valuable company thanks to creative inspiration applied to a broad and fertile environment.

Let's read together

The four parts of the book talk about what kind of person Steve Jobs was, what ideas he generated, what successful projects he launched.

Over three decades, Jobs invented a number of unique products: the first personal computer Apple II, the Macintosh home computer, the iPod player and the iPad Internet tablet, the iPhone mobile phone, the iTunes Store music store and the Apple brand store, the App Store content application and cloud data storage. iCloud, as well as Pixar - a collection of digital animation.

Steve Jobs' life was not rosy. Biological parents abandoned their son, but his adoptive parents, Paul and Clara Jobs, became a wonderful example of the life of real people. Since childhood, Steve was persistent and achieved goals by any means. He had the amazing gift of “distorting reality,” convincing everyone of anything, because he did not recognize generally accepted rules. It was not easy for Apple employees to work under his leadership; Jobs knew how to set supernatural tasks with unrealistic deadlines for their completion.

Reading other people's emotions allowed him to subtly sense falsehood and identify people's weak points. Steve was rude to his subordinates and could humiliate them, but he had respect for those who did their job well. Jobs' team was nevertheless motivated by him to succeed, they even wore T-shirts with the words "I work 90 hours a week and I love it!" Steve neglected his appearance and hygiene rules for many years, ate fruit, and professed Zen Buddhism. By the way, the name Apple was born thanks to his apple diet. Subsequently, he acquired a signature style, expressed in wearing a beard, black Japanese turtlenecks and jeans.

When Jobs got married, he had to struggle with a minimalistic approach to home improvement; he only loved things that fascinated him and did not want to buy sofas for eight long years. Steve was a complex person, prone to mood swings and tantrums. But he loved his adoptive parents very much, believing that it was only thanks to them that he grew up so special.

Jobs was friends with electronics engineer Stephen Wozniak, who in the early days of creating Apple came up with interesting ideas, and Steve thought about how to make money on them.

Jobs was not a model of decency, he was often abandoned and betrayed, and he was disappointed in people. One of the important roles in his life was played by John Sculley, president of the Pepsi Cola division. They became such kindred spirits for a time that Steve invited Scully to lead Apple, becoming its president. Subsequently, colleagues discovered that they viewed the world differently and professed different values, and a few years later John fired Steve from Apple, not knowing that he would return 11 years later.

The acquaintance and communication between Jobs and the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, was also an important part of Steve’s life. Being diametrically opposed people, they both became pioneers in the computer industry. They spent some time working together between Microsoft and Apple; Gates' company subsequently won the battle of operating systems, although Apple showed more creativity in design.

Jobs put forward several “Apple” ideas:

1. Even if no one sees the result of your work, you must do everything well.
2. The team must employ the best specialists to create a first-class product.
3. Creating whole things requires a holistic approach. This means close collaboration and integrated design.
4. The manager is a direct participant in all processes. All employees represent a single team with common goals.
5. The product produced should be such that you would want to have an identical one. Employees need to work hard, but bring their plans to perfection.
6. Technology is controlled by design that reflects the essence of the object, its soul, invested by man.
7. True artists tend to simplify everything. It was Apple products that became simple and functional, unlike SONY products. Jobs took this minimalism from Buddhism; the laconic design was supposed to attract, and not seem dead. Intuitively, any product became clear to the buyer.
8. There is no need to be afraid of self-inflicted losses; it is better than having them caused by others. The release of the iPhone should not reduce iPad sales, and the iPad will not harm laptop sales in any way.
9. The buyer can be wrong because until he is shown what he wants, he will not understand what he really wants.

Jobs foresaw the future in an amazing way: he created the iPod, designed the Macintosh, developed Xerox. Apple was managed in a unique way: the businessman believed in the power of intuition, without taking into account the rules of marketing, in order to create ideal products in terms of aesthetics and manufacturability. To make these products perfect, you don't need to be afraid of risks, but rather polish every detail. A talented manager is able to make decisions instantly and participates in all management processes, in addition to this, first-class specialists are required to work with him.

Jobs was a controversial person, not always polite and reserved, but he knew how to win people over, convince and motivate employees.

Best Quote

“Madmen who think they can change the world actually change it.”

What the book teaches

- Jobs was able to combine innovation and refinement in developing products that changed dozens of industries.

- Jobs managed to do what not everyone can do: change the world without following the rules and laughing at the norms.

- Any idea can be obtained from a chance meeting or conversation.

- Simplicity allows us to feel that it is we who control objects, and not they who control us. By getting rid of the unimportant, we penetrate into their essence.

- It is important to remember death, it is the only way to avoid falling into the trap of thinking that we have something to lose.