About the Book
An insiders guide to the unique leadership style of Steve Jobs, the driving force behind the success of Apple and Pixar Steve Jobs is technologys most famous CEO, the man who revolutionized computers in the 1970s and 80s (with the Apple II and the Mac), animated movies in the 1990s (with Pixar), and digital music in the 2000s (with the iPod and iTunes). Hes also one of the most controversial CEOs in history, allegedly throwing epic tantrums, firing staff in elevators, and taking credit for other peoples achievements. So whats the real story? According to Leander Kahney, who has covered Jobs since the early 1990s as a reporter, editor, and book author, hes a fascinating bundle of contradictions. Hes an elitist who thinks most people are bozosbut he makes gadgets so easy to use, a bozo can master them. Hes a mercurial obsessive with a filthy temperbut he forges deep partnerships with creative geniuses like Steve Wozniak, Jonathan Ive, and John Lasseter. Hes a Buddhist and antimaterialistbut he produces mass-market products in Asian factories, and he promotes them with absolute mastery of the crassest medium, advertising. In short, Jobs has embraced the personality traits that some consider flawsnarcissism, perfectionism, total faith in his intuitionto lead Apple and Pixar to triumph against steep odds. And in the process, he has become a self-made billionaire. After interviewing more Apple insiders than any previous author, Kahney has distilled the principles that guide Jobs as he launches killer products, attracts fanatically loyal customers, and manages some of the worlds most powerful brands.
About the Author :
Leander Kahney is the news editor for Wired.com and primary author of the Cult of Mac blog. He is also the author of two acclaimed books, "The Cult of Mac" and "The Cult of iPod."
Review :
?Throughout his storied Silicon Valley career, Apple CEO and Pixar Studios founder Steve Jobs has been labeled, among other things, an egomaniac, a Zen Buddhist, a business mastermind, a sociopath and a music mogul. Blogger, author and Wired News editor Kahney, who has chronicled Apple in previous books (The Cult of Mac), attempts to plumb the depths of Jobs's prodigious mind in this engrossing biography. The author devotes much time to the sensational aspects of Jobs? life, including his demeaning and ferocious interactions with employees, his relentless high-mindedness and fanatical attention to detail, clearly demonstrating how his tyrannical and perfectionist impulses have have shaped the award-winning designs and consumer-friendly products that have made Apple a juggernaut. Though it doesn?t penetrate the Mac man's psyche too deeply, and sections on tangential figures like Apple design guru Jonathan Ive and Apple Store visionary Ron Johnson can meander, those searching for a telli
AThroughout his storied Silicon Valley career, Apple CEO and Pixar Studiosfounder Steve Jobs has been labeled, among other things, an egomaniac, a Zen Buddhist, a business mastermind, a sociopath and a music mogul. Blogger, author and Wired News editor Kahney, who has chronicled Apple in previous books (The Cult of Mac), attempts to plumb the depths of JobsA+s prodigious mind in this engrossng biography. The author devotes much time to the sensational aspects of JobsA+ ife, including his demeaning and ferocious interactions with employees, his relentless high-mindedness and fanatical attention to detail, clearly demonstrating how his tyrannical and perfectionist impulses have have shaped the award-winning designs and consumer-friendly products that have made Apple a juggernaut. Though it doesnA+t penetrate the Mac manA+s psyche too deeply, and sections on tangenal figures like Apple design guru Jonathan Ive and Apple Store visionary Ron Johnson can meander, those searching for a telling portrait of JobsA+s management syle and its impact on Apple will not be left wanting.A
--"PublisherA+seekly"(Apr.)
aThroughout his storied Silicon Valley career, Apple CEO and Pixar Studios founder Steve Jobs has been labeled, among other things, an egomaniac, a Zen Buddhist, a business mastermind, a sociopath and a music mogul. Blogger, author and Wired News editor Kahney, who has chronicled Apple in previous books (The Cult of Mac), attempts to plumb the depths of Jobsas prodigious mind in this engrossing biography. The author devotes much time to the sensational aspects of Jobsa life, including his demeaning and ferocious interactions with employees, his relentless high-mindedness and fanatical attention to detail, clearly demonstrating how his tyrannical and perfectionist impulses have have shaped the award-winning designs and consumer-friendly products that have made Apple a juggernaut. Though it doesnat penetrate the Mac manas psyche too deeply, and sections on tangential figures like Apple design guru Jonathan Ive and Apple Store visionary Ron Johnson can meander, those searching for a telling portrait of Jobsas management style and its impact on Apple will not be left wanting.a
--"Publisheras Weekly"(Apr.)
