Reviews

Review: The second coming of Steve Jobs

Editorial Review - Kirkus Reviews

The fall and rise of Apple Computer maverick Steve Jobs, as seen through the bedazzled eyes of business and technology reporter Deutschman (Vanity Fair). Jobs provided much of the pizzazz at Apple, with his Macintosh computer and its colorful software, but he also provided a lot of red ink—which resulted in him getting his walking papers in 1985. Now he is back at Apple and riding the crest generated by the G3 and iMac. Deutschman concentrates on the intervening 15 years. This was when Jobs flogged his Next computer—what he envisioned as the "next" computer for college students—but that vision never screwed into focus and the business began "hemorrhaging money." Deutschman wants his readers to know that, despite the dismal performance of Next, Jobs is "an unprecedented phenom," a man forever to be known for "his extraordinary intelligence and his frighteningly intense energy and his unremitting aesthetic perfectionism," an "incredibly compelling" individual with "rare hypnotic eyes" who is besieged by a "constant onslaught of brainstorms." (It is worth pointing out that Deutschman chides Jobs's previous profilers as "sycophants.") Forget about the reasons Next failed, Deutschman is more interested in Barbara and Tina and Laurene and the other women in Jobs's life, and at times his account reads more like a scandal sheet than a biography: "While [Jobs] was wedded to his work, his libido remained healthy." Deutschman is at his best when Jobs is offstage and the author has a chance to catch his breath, as in his outline of the development of Pixar (with its wonderful animated short) and in his portrayal of the stunning success of Toy Story (a company Jobs owned but didn't meddle in). Gossip run amok—and (considering Deutschman's awe of Jobs) untrustworthy gossip, at that.

User reviews

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Harish Puvvula - Goodreads

Digressive nonetheless it is about my hero. I enjoyed it. #first read on March 13 2010 /*** read this book for the third time. Narration was journalistic at times( as if it is an excerpt from a newspaper) but the research is good. ***/ Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Matt Coulson - Goodreads

Really interesting story told here which really brings to bear the genius that was Steve Jobs. Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Conrado - Goodreads

enjoyed the trip of Jobs Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Jamie - Goodreads

A balanced and interesting look at the stories Steve never wanted you to hear. Still one of the kings of Jobs bios in my opinion, right along with the authorized one. Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Benedict Isles - Goodreads

Insider view of Steve Jobs' workings in the Silicon Valley. You'll get to know not just Steve Jobs but all of the actors and actresses in the blockbuster movie of his life. Plus, it's an honest sketch ... Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - David - Goodreads

A better biography than Issacson's- far more detail and texture to Steve's adventures. I loved this book. Read full review

Review: The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

User Review - Harrismatte - Goodreads

I used Tandy TSR 80 and Commodore 64 computers in middle school. Circa late middle school, early high school my parents bought us an Apple IIe for Christmas. That computer saw us through high school ... Read full review