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Elon Musk

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Elon Musk

By: Walter Isaacson, Walter Isaacson - introduction
Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
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Summary

 #1 New York Times non-fiction bestseller
#2 Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller

SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
CHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY APPLE, AMAZON, THE TIMES AND FINANCIAL TIMES

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk offers the most intimate, complete and revelatory portrait of the most fascinating and controversial innovator in the world.

For two years, Isaacson had unprecedented access to Musk, his workplaces, his family, friends, coworkers and adversaries – nothing was off-limits.

Musk’s journey from humble beginnings to one of the wealthiest people on the planet is a thrilling, mind-bending story and nobody could tell it better. Filled with amazing tales of triumph and turmoil, and lessons about leadership and business, it ultimately addresses the question everyone wants to ask: why is Elon Musk so successful?

 Business Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Inspiring Thought-Provoking Technology Science Fiction Management
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Critic reviews

‘Its portrait of the tech maverick is fascinating. . . a persuasive mixture of alarm and deep admiration'
‘[Isaacson] has done something amazing with the Musk biography which is to write a 688-page quick read’
‘Whatever you think of Mr Musk, he is a man worth understanding – which makes this a book worth reading’
‘A penetrating new biography’
‘A beat-by-beat book that follows the tycoon inside important rooms, as well as exploring obscure regions of his mind’
‘A comprehensive, deeply reported chronicle of the world-shaping tech mogul’s life’
‘An experienced biographer’s comprehensive study’
‘He forms his own conclusions, which are mostly admirably balanced and mature. . . Isaacson, in his quest for a comprehensive audit of the Musk phenomenon, errs slightly on the side of the voyeur in these encounters, but I can’t blame him. It’s quite the spectacle’
‘The book contains a series of illuminating anecdotes about Musk’
'Isaacson offers both an engaging chronicle of his subject’s busy life so far and some compelling answers’
‘The most complete profile of Musk yet’
'There’s not much middle ground on Musk – people love him or hate him – but Isaacson is best positioned to figure out what makes him tick’
‘The resulting book delves deep into the billionaire’s demons, including childhood bullies and a difficult father, and interrogates their relationship to his success’
‘Isaacson deftly handles complicated matters like the development of electric vehicles, rockets and artificial intelligence while also deeply exploring Musk’s background and family’
‘This fast-paced biography. . . [is] a head-spinning tale about a vain, brilliant, sometimes cruel figure whose ambitions are actively shaping the future of human life' (Ron Charles)
‘Everything you'd expect from a book on Musk. . . While the stories are fascinating and guaranteed to spark a mountain of coverage, founders and entrepreneurs will also unearth valuable lessons’
‘The book is bursting with stories. . . A deeply engrossing tale of a spectacular American innovator’
‘Walter Isaacson’s intimate account of a tech titan’
‘this biography of Elon Musk is still fascinating. How could it not be? . . . He has spoken to practically everybody’
‘a highly readable portrait of a very unusual personality. . . It is a considerable achievement on Isaacson’s part to have persuaded this reviewer. . . to adopt a more sympathetic view of Musk and set aside much of the familiar media caricature of him.’
‘Described by the FT as a “688-page quick read” for the TikTok generation, Isaacson’s biography of the South African entrepreneur races along at bone-rattling speed. That certainly makes for an entertaining exploration of Musk the celebrity’
All stars
Most relevant
An excellent book about two or more Elons’. I am in awe of genius Elon, sad for little Elon who suffered a violent childhood, and frustrated by cruel and self sabotaging Elon. Fuel for both his fans and critics alike are provided in generous quantities here. I greatly admire Elon for his sustainability mission, but I wouldn’t want to work for him. Highly recommended book.

Truthful, disturbing and inspiring

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Anyone studying engineering or working at a company that produce any kind of product should have this as obligatory reading.. To further human progress through innovation we need to question requirements, processes, parts, and increase general risk taking approaches. Great book.

Most important guy we have

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Elon Musk - what a bag of fireworks eh! I've followed Elon and Kimball's careers closely for ages as I've a huge interest in renewable power tech and high quality food production. Player of games - this is a huge take away from this book. Elon's fixation on winning and the spirals into demon mode to domineer over those around him, wielding his incredible influence over others to achieve his ends. This demon mode never flipped to angle mode on successful completion of whatever project was being focused on though. It must be quite the weight of existence to move from grey to dark grey but to struggle spending long in the sun enjoying his achievements. He seems to really feel the time pressure of his own lifespan with an unrelenting need to get stuff done before he's too senile to push progress.

No mention of angle mode!

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Listening to this book, I couldn't help observing the amazing feats of innovation Elon Musk and his much needed teams have driven, and how terribly the general public have judged this fellow human being.

His battles personally and professionally seem even more difficult when you account for the many Yes people around him. No is not always a bad word. It's all about perspective.

This book highlights the dangers of enablism in a colourful fashion. It is not ever a good thing to surround yourself with Yes people.

How can Elon successfully practice empathy, when he is not afforded much empathy himself?? Or, because those around him selectively practice empathy toward him.

I think that Elon Musk is very misunderstood, sometimes, purposefully so. This social justice paradox borders on distressing and darkly humourous, as Elon touches on within his story.

I observe that most of his critics hide behind " political correctness, " which is just another authoritarian tool wielded by the fearful, jealous, and incompetent within our world. Being non-neuro typical should not be such a major fear point for humanity.

It seems lazy and dishonest of his detractors to not say what they mean, and mean what they say. Most of them are excluding him because he thinks differently to them, though none have the stones to ever admit that they are so petty and damaged.

Or perhaps, it is their own failings that they are trying to distract from when they purposefully confuse Elon Musk person, with Elon Musk entrepreneur, and Elon Musk public figure, and go on the attack.

I really liked Elon's shares within this book.

I have great professional respect toward him, regardless of politics and other belief systems. It is too commonplace to see our non-neuro typical community members vilified and victimised when they say or create anything of note.

This book is recommendable to all, but especially to young adult non-neuro typical people who can gain a great deal of academic and professional insight from Elon's shared and lived experience as an intersectional entrepreneur of the highest calibre who regularly faces huge challenges.

It has been a joy to read about his work throughout sectors and disciplines, and I look forward to the day that Tesla, Space X, and the X platform are fully clean, green, accessible and sustainable to, and for all.

Within this book it has repeatedly been said that he is an idealist. This is a misconception. Many non-neuro typical people have an inherent ability to look at a problem, topic, or project from multiple, if not all observable perspectives.

This book is most definitely worth a read/ listen to, regardless of beliefs, other types of agenda you may have. Knowledge is power, and Elon displays this succinctly within his professional life. I hope that he reaches his equilibrium soon. All the better for himself, relationships, people and planet.

An interesting perspective on a polarising public figure.

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Really enjoyed the book, which, for those crying out “hatchet job” was written with his cooperation. With every (audio) page I like the we rest of humanity more, but there seems no doubt that this guy is a genius in some respects. I can’t help imagining working for him as I have a difficult boss myself, but I fear I might try to kick his head in - I expect he would fight back. It remains to be seen if his grand vision will come off in his lifetime but I wouldn’t bet against him. A sensational engineer, a flawed human being and, if it could ever happen, a fascinating dinner guest. I want to hate him but I end up rather admiring him. I’ll get me coat.

A peculiar man

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