Becoming Steve Jobs Book Summary - Becoming Steve Jobs Book explained in key points
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Becoming Steve Jobs summary

Brent Schlender Rick Tetzeli

The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader

4.4 (147 ratings)
25 mins

Brief summary

Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli is a biography that chronicles the lesser-known facets of Steve Jobs' life, including his relationships with colleagues, friends and family. It tells us how Jobs matured as a leader, and his vision for technology.

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    Becoming Steve Jobs
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    Steve Jobs had an early knack for technology.

    Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco – and, shortly thereafter, he was put up for adoption by his biological mother, Joanna Schieble. As a result, he grew up the son of Paul and Clara Jobs, a working-class couple.

    Being adopted by Paul and Clara may have greatly contributed to his later work, since Jobs quickly developed a keen understanding of technology. Because his father was a car mechanic and craftsman who made furniture, there was a workbench in the family’s garage and Jobs’s father taught him how to build things, take them apart and put them back together again. This education served him well; later in life, when showing the iPod to the author, Jobs reminisced about how his father told him to work as diligently on the underside of a cabinet as on its finish.

    Jobs was also smart as a whip. He skipped sixth grade and was naturally drawn to math and science. Because of his demonstrated skill in these subjects, he was accepted into the Explorers Club, a group of kids who worked on electronics projects on the Hewlett-Packard campus. It was here that Jobs used a computer for the first time.

    He was clearly precocious, so it’s no surprise that he was just 21 years old when he and Stephen Wozniak founded Apple.

    Here’s what happened:

    The pair met in 1969 when a friend introduced Jobs to Wozniak, or “Woz,” an engineering genius and the son of a Lockheed Martin engineer. At the time, computing was anything but personal and computers didn’t even have keyboards or monitors. Woz recognized these shortcomings and Jobs knew they could build a better computer for home use.

    So they set up in Jobs’s parents’ garage and began working on their first model, the Apple 1. They invited in a few kids from the neighborhood to assemble it and pretty soon they had a miniature assembly line going. They named the new company Apple – a nod to both the Garden of Eden and an Oregon apple orchard and commune that Jobs frequented after high school.

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    What is Becoming Steve Jobs about?

    Becoming Steve Jobs (2015) tells the story of the life and work of this tech genius. These blinks offer an inside look at the history of Apple, chronicle Jobs’s personal development, explore his early successes, as well as his failures, and lay out how his drive and innovation gave birth to revolutionary products, such as the iPhone.

    Becoming Steve Jobs Review

    Becoming Steve Jobs (2015) delves into the remarkable journey of Apple's iconic co-founder and CEO. Here's why this book is a worthwhile read:

    • Featuring exclusive interviews and in-depth research, it provides deep insights into Jobs' life, career, and the evolution of Apple.
    • The book offers a balanced perspective, dispelling common stereotypes and presenting a more nuanced portrayal of Jobs' personality and leadership style.
    • With its rich storytelling and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, it offers a captivating narrative that goes beyond the typical biography, keeping readers engrossed and entertained.

    Who should read Becoming Steve Jobs?

    • Apple fans and admirers of Steve Jobs
    • Computer lovers everywhere
    • Business leaders seeking a better understanding of a historical entrepreneur

    About the Author

    Brent Schlender covered Steve Jobs for the Wall Street Journal and Fortune for over two decades. One of the main chroniclers of the personal-computer revolution, he interviewed Jobs on many occasions.

    Rick Tetzeli has written about technology for more than twenty years. He’s currently executive director of Fast Company, the editor of Entertainment Weekly and the former deputy editor of Fortune.

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    Becoming Steve Jobs FAQs 

    What is the main message of Becoming Steve Jobs?

    Be persistent, embrace failure, and follow your passion to achieve great success.

    How long does it take to read Becoming Steve Jobs?

    The reading time for Becoming Steve Jobs varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Becoming Steve Jobs a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Becoming Steve Jobs is a captivating read that offers valuable insights into the life and mindset of one of the greatest innovators of our time.

    Who is the author of Becoming Steve Jobs?

    Becoming Steve Jobs is co-authored by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli.

    What to read after Becoming Steve Jobs?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Becoming Steve Jobs, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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