Steve Jobs was a man of contradictions. In Steve Jobs, a biography by Walter Isaacson, his groundbreaking ideas and spectacular technological breakthroughs run like a torrent through the book.
But at the same time, on almost every page are examples of his spectacular arrogance, odd habits, belligerent interactions and emotional breakdowns.
After reading the book, we gathered some of the memorable quotes from its author, Steve Jobs and those around him that illustrate his complex personality.
Let’s use these quotes as a jumping-off point to a discussion: What do you think? Was Steve Jobs a genius or was he insane? Or both? Or neither?
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Badge Numbers
Jobs
fights with Mike Scott, who was the first CEO of Apple from February
1977 to March 1981. But the fight was for naught: According to the book,
"Scott relented, at least for the purpose of the badge, but the Bank of
America required a positive integer for its payroll system and Jobs’s
remained #2."
Money Money Money
Sometimes Jobs didn't seem to care about money...
Corporate Jet Decor
... but other times he basked in the perks of his billionaire status.
Rules Don't Apply
Was he a rebel or a businessman?
Jony Ive Weighs In
Jobs trusted his designer Jony Ive, having lunch with him every day Jobs was at the Apple HQ.
Eating Disorder?
Even
when his horrified family and doctors begged him to eat more protein to
help him fight his spreading cancer, Jobs wouldn't give up the fasting
and eating habits of his youth.
Reality Distortion Field, Company-Wide
Jobs led to company to tell less than the truth, drawing the ire of journalists and stockholders.
Designer Perfection, No Matter What
But anyone who's experienced someone suffering from liver failure knows, those masks really are poorly designed.
Jobs on Google
His colleagues say this was one of his most angry tirades.
Toughest Job Interview Ever
Sometimes
Jobs would devolve into sheer cruelty. Here he interviews a candidate
along with software engineer and pal Andy Hertzfeld, who worked with
Jobs on the original Mac team.
Job Interview, continued
Ouch.
Isaccson Sums Up Jobs
The author had access to Jobs for years, and sums up the Apple CEO's unique abilities near the end of the book.
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