Preview
  • Becoming Steve Jobs

  • The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader
  • By: Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli
  • Narrated by: George Newbern
  • Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,848 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Becoming Steve Jobs

By: Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli
Narrated by: George Newbern
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.50

Buy for $22.50

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

There have been many books - on a large and small scale - about Steve Jobs, one of the most famous CEOs in history. But this book is different from all the others.

Becoming Steve Jobs takes on and breaks down the existing myth and stereotypes about Steve Jobs. The conventional, one-dimensional view of Jobs is that he was half genius, half jerk from youth, an irascible and selfish leader who slighted friends and family alike. Becoming Steve Jobs answers the central question about the life and career of the Apple cofounder and CEO: How did a young man so reckless and arrogant that he was exiled from the company he founded become the most effective visionary business leader of our time, ultimately transforming the daily lives of billions of people?

Drawing on incredible and sometimes exclusive access, Schlender and Tetzeli tell a different story of a real human being who wrestled with his failings and learned to maximize his strengths over time. Their rich, compelling narrative is filled with stories never told before from the people who knew Jobs best and who decided to open up to the authors, including his family, former inner circle executives, and top people at Apple, Pixar, and Disney. In addition Brent knew Jobs personally for 25 years and drew upon his many interviews with him, on and off the record, in writing the book. He and Rick humanize the man and explain, rather than simply describe, his behavior. Along the way the book provides rich context about the technology revolution we all have lived through and the ways in which Jobs changed our world.

Schlender and Tetzeli make clear that Jobs' astounding success at Apple was far more complicated than simply picking the right products: he became more patient, he learned to trust his inner circle, and he discovered the importance of growing the company incrementally rather than only shooting for dazzling, game-changing products.

©2015 Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli (P)2014 Random House Audio
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"George Newbern's narration is--simply put--superb. He is exceptionally well suited to the task at hand. The greatest praise is that he disappears, allowing the story to unfold in one's mind. His unhurried narration is a totally immersive experience. Be prepared for the temptation to listen without pausing for any significant amount of time." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Becoming Steve Jobs

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,591
  • 4 Stars
    1,036
  • 3 Stars
    175
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    12
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,966
  • 4 Stars
    974
  • 3 Stars
    200
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,159
  • 4 Stars
    792
  • 3 Stars
    177
  • 2 Stars
    36
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Oh! The Humanity.

I've read through the Isaacson biography and other literature on Jobs. I feel this captures the emotions of a man who would not settle for seconds in life. I've always idolized Jobs and his desire to change the world. The people who spoke on his character in this book reaffirms how great and greatly trouble Job was.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I cried when Steve died.

Before this book, I didn't even know who he was.

A phenomenal man, who demonstrated how idealism could be an asset, rather than a liability.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

I judge the quality of a book by how I feel when it ends. This time the end was not welcomed, wishing that there was more. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspired by a Great Leader!

Great writing. Many gems in this book! I'd recommend to anyone interested in Apple, Jobs, or Leadership.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Deconstruction of Steve Jobs the Man.

I am an avid Apple fan. I also enjoyed thoroughly reading about Steve Jobs.

This book was well constructed and told in a way that was touching and insightful. I feel like I was able to get to know Steve Jobs, the man, better than I have in previous readings of other material. The authors obviously had good access to Steve, and I am grateful that they've written this book.

If you study or are fascinated by the story of Steve Jobs and Apple of the company, I would say this is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Steve's time at Pixar. I cannot wait to read Ed Catmul's book, Creativity Inc.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful

A unique perspective on this iconic figure. Thoroughly engaging journey of the development of the man into the figure head he became.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thank you

Thanks for this vision of Steve. I think it improves on Isaacson biography of Steve.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Better than the official biography

Even though I read Walter Isaacsons biography I still feel I learned some new things. This book was written by people who knew Jobs for many years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Balance to the Isaacson book

Good read bringing balance to the Isaacson book! Makes you wonder what might have been if he lived into Steve 3.0

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story of a very human leader

Being a fan of Steve Jobs I really enjoyed the more human story. Great leaders aren't born they are grown and this book describes this perfectly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!