Becoming Steve Jobs

The evolution of a reckless upstart into a visionary leader

By: Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli

Narrated by: George Newbern

We all think we know who Steve Jobs was, what made him tick, and what made him succeed.

Yet the single most important question about him has never been answered.

The young, impulsive, egotistical genius was ousted in the mid-80s from the company he founded, exiled from his own kingdom and cast into the wilderness. Yet he returned a decade later to transform the ailing Apple into the most successful company the world had ever seen.

How did this reckless upstart transform himself into a visionary business leader?

The first comprehensive study of Jobs' career following his dismissal from Apple, written with unparalleled access and insight, BECOMING STEVE JOBS offers a startling new portrait of the most important business figure in modern history. The most intimate biography yet of Jobs, written by the journalist who knew him better than any other, BECOMING STEVE JOBS draws on recently discovered interviews that have never before seen the light of day, and answers for the first time the most pressing questions about what made this legendary business leader such a success.

'Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli render a spectacular service with this book, giving fresh perspective on Steve Jobs' journey from inspiring but immature entrepreneur into an inspired and mature company-builder. Most important, they capture Jobs' resilience, his refusal to capitulate, his restless drive to stay in the game, his voracious appetite to learn-this, far more than genius, is what made him great. Becoming Steve Jobs gets the focus precisely right: not as a success story, but as a growth story. Riveting, insightful, uplifting-read it and learn!' Jim Collins, author of Good to Great

'BECOMING STEVE JOBS is fantastic. After working with Steve for over 25 years, I feel this book captures with great insight the growth and complexity of a truly extraordinary person. I hope that it will be recognized as the definitive history.' Ed Catmull, President, Pixar and Disney Animation

(P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton©2015 Brent Schlender

Critic reviews

Exhaustive and moving... full of new information

This is the insider's guide to Steve Jobs.

A fascinating reinterpretation of the Steve Jobs story.

The book about Steve Jobs that the world deserves. Smart, accurate, informative, insightful and at times, utterly heartbreaking....Becoming Steve Jobs is going to be an essential reference for decades to come.

BECOMING STEVE JOBS is fantastic. After working with Steve for over 25 years, I feel this book captures with great insight the growth and complexity of a truly extraordinary person. I hope that it will be recognized as the definitive history.

Steve Jobs is the person who most inspires the new generation of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. In this deeply-researched book, you'll find the most honest portrait of the real Steve Jobs.

Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli render a spectacular service with this book, giving fresh perspective on Steve Jobs' journey from inspiring but immature entrepreneur into an inspired and mature company-builder. Most important, they capture Jobs' resilience, his refusal to capitulate, his restless drive to stay in the game, his voracious appetite to learn-this, far more than genius, is what made him great. Becoming Steve Jobs gets the focus precisely right: not as a success story, but as a growth story. Riveting, insightful, uplifting-read it and learn!

One of the best things Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli do in writing about Jobs is undoing the 'lone genius' myth, and complicating his persona.

Offers a new look into the life of the Apple co-founder... includes a number of interesting anecdotes and perspectives from those who have rarely spoken of their relationships with Jobs over the decades, all tied together by one of the few reporters to have had access to Jobs on a regular basis throughout that time.

What makes their book important is that they contend - persuasively, I believe - that . . . [Jobs] was not the same man in his prime that he had been at the beginning of his career. The callow, impetuous, arrogant youth who co-founded Apple was very different from the mature and thoughtful man who returned to his struggling creation and turned it into a company that made breathtaking products while becoming the dominant technology company of our time.

Square would not exist without the work and persistence of Steve Jobs. I am forever grateful. Amazing read.

Highly recommended.

A Lovely read

Be foolish, Be hungry ❤️
For people managing people and skills, this is highly recommended

Mental Fortitude

I struggled with the early chapter because of the technical but almost now obsolete technology (it however brought some nostalgia) but I truly enjoy from the time Steve left Apple to start his comeback. Inspiring stuff!

An insight into a brilliant mind

A fantastic book presented brilliantly. I was surprised how easy it was to listen to the whole thing in such a short time

Good book

First time listening to audiobook, the experience is really good. The book is good, the story in not boring even i aime facts aare completey wrong. I reccomend the book who is interested in pc story and apple story

Great listen

This is a great listen but seems a short compare to the over version.

Still worth while to hear another view on a great man.