inReaders: Please note that this piece originally ran on October 3rd, prior to the passing of Steve Jobs. We invite you to also read our tribute here.
In terms of melancholy timing and unabashed interest from an enormous band of loyal acolytes, Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs seems to have cornered the market on buzz-worthy biographies for 2011. Set for release in November, the media is treating the official bio almost like a last will and testament.
While a person could certainly quibble internally over the ethics of this, Jobs’ involvement with the project seems to at least partially mollify some of the discomfort readers may have as our curiosities wage war against our better senses of privacy and manners.
For this reason, while there may be a whole host of other options that hit the shelves in the months subsequent to its release, 90 percent of us will only read the book that has Jobs’ blessing. Apple’s greatest strength has always involved vending proprietary products. This book shouldn’t prove any different. Potential knockoffs simply won’t compute.
As to what we at inReads hope makes it into the book? We’ve highlighted three quick wants.
1. Let’s get a feel for the guy’s personality outside of the business community.
What’s it like to sit down for a beer with Steve Jobs?
If you can forgive the cliche, this does remain the sort of fundamental question that can only be answered (accurately) during a person’s lifetime.
Stay away from the messianic businessman motif.
No doubt, Jobs is an unprecedented figure. After a few initial failures, he rose from the ashes to not only put pressure on the country’s strongest monopoly, but also to fundamentally change the music and publishing industries.
This is great and all, but most of it has already been well-documented.
Given his successes, it’s easy to hone in on Jobs’ forward-thinking business practices. Clearly this is where the bulk of the story will and should focus. Still. It would be nice to get a feel for the man outside of Apple. Or is there such a thing?
2. Address the scandal involving Jobs’ most prominent unofficial biography, iCon: Steve Jobs The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business.
When Jeffrey Young and William Simon released the book back in 1996, Steve Jobs personally banned all John Wiley & Sons publications from Apple’s retail stores . The biography was by no means a hatchet job, so this brings to mind a few quick questions.
Was the anger here the result of something personal? Or was it simply a matter of the man not wanting money made off of his name? Both are totally understandable.
While this seems like a rather paltry arc buried within a much bigger story, the ideals of privacy and image become suddenly monumental when a man willfully opens himself up to scrutiny with an authorized biography.
With this in mind, the media’s treatment of Isaacson’s book begins to make a bit more sense. What’s with the change of heart?
3. The resignation.
Okay. Again, this is a sticky issue. Steve Jobs’ health is none of our business. But when taking into consideration his massive resignation announcement, the story would not feel complete without some sort of glimpse into what has to have been one of the most difficult decisions Jobs has ever had to make.
Rumor has it that this subject will be broached, but to what extent? Any comprehensive additions in this regard may have to be rushed, but would nonetheless prove infinitely interesting.
Do you agree with the author? Share your Thoughts below.