Becoming Steve Jobs is a biography of the legendary Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. Written by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli, the book delves into the life of Jobs, from his early days at Apple to his final days before his death in 2011. The book focuses on the period of Jobs’ life when he returned to Apple in 1997 until his death in 2011, which was a time of incredible innovation and growth for the company.
Chapter 1: The Return
The first chapter of the book introduces Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997. At the time, Apple was struggling financially and was in danger of going bankrupt. Jobs took control of the company and began a massive restructuring effort. He fired hundreds of employees and cut costs wherever he could. He also began a campaign to simplify Apple’s products, focusing on design and user experience.
Chapter 2: The iMac
In 1998, Apple released the iMac, a new computer that was designed to be easy to use and attractive to consumers. The iMac was a huge success and helped to revive Apple’s fortunes. Jobs was heavily involved in the development of the iMac and was determined to make it a success.
Chapter 3: The Music Industry
In 2001, Apple released iTunes, a music player and store that allowed users to buy and download music easily. This was a major disruption to the music industry, which had previously relied on physical CD sales. Jobs worked closely with the music industry to ensure that iTunes was a success and that Apple could sell music legally.
Chapter 4: The iPod
In 2001, Apple released the iPod, a portable music player that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The iPod was designed to be simple and easy to use, with a focus on design and user experience. Jobs was heavily involved in the development of the iPod and was determined to make it a success.
Chapter 5: The iPhone
In 2007, Apple released the iPhone, a smartphone that combined a phone, an iPod, and an internet browser. The iPhone was a massive success and helped to establish Apple as a major player in the smartphone market. Jobs was heavily involved in the development of the iPhone and was determined to make it a success.
Chapter 6: The iPad
In 2010, Apple released the iPad, a tablet computer that was designed to be easy to use and attractive to consumers. The iPad was a massive success and helped to establish Apple as a major player in the tablet market. Jobs was heavily involved in the development of the iPad and was determined to make it a success.
Chapter 7: The Death of Steve Jobs
In 2011, Steve Jobs died after a long battle with cancer. His death was a major loss for Apple and the technology industry as a whole. Jobs was a visionary leader who was responsible for some of the most innovative products in history. He was known for his attention to detail, his focus on design, and his ability to inspire his employees to create great things.
Conclusion
Becoming Steve Jobs is a fascinating look at the life of one of the most innovative and influential figures in the technology industry. The book provides insight into Jobs’ leadership style, his focus on design and user experience, and his ability to inspire his employees to create great things. Whether you are a fan of Apple or not, Becoming Steve Jobs is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of technology and the story of one of the most innovative companies in the world.