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  • Elon Musk

Elon Musk

Walter Isaacson (Author), Walter Isaacson - introduction (Author), Jeremy Bobb (Narrator), Format: Audible Audiobook
4.7 out of 5 stars (23,930)
#1 Best Seller in Biographies of Science & Technology Leaders
The #1 New York Times and global bestseller from Walter Isaacson—the acclaimed author of Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and World, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo da Vinci—is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating, controversial innovator of modern times. For two years, Isaacson shadowed Elon Musk as he executed his vision for electric vehicles at Tesla, space exploration with SpaceX, the AI revolution, and the takeover of Twitter and its conversion to X. The result is the definitive portrait of the mercurial pioneer that offers clues to his political instincts, future ambitions, and overall worldview.

When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist.

His father’s impact on his psyche would linger. He developed into a tough yet vulnerable man-child, prone to abrupt Jekyll-and-Hyde mood swings, with an exceedingly high tolerance for risk, a craving for drama, an epic sense of mission, and a maniacal intensity that was callous and at times destructive.

At the beginning of 2022—after a year marked by SpaceX launching thirty-one rockets into orbit, Tesla selling a million cars, and him becoming the richest man on earth—Musk spoke ruefully about his compulsion to stir up dramas. “I need to shift my mindset away from being in crisis mode, which it has been for about fourteen years now, or arguably most of my life,” he said.

It was a wistful comment, not a New Year’s resolution. Even as he said it, he was secretly buying up shares of Twitter, the world’s ultimate playground. Over the years, whenever he was in a dark place, his mind went back to being bullied on the playground. Now he had the chance to own the playground.

For two years, Isaacson shadowed Musk, attended his meetings, walked his factories with him, and spent hours interviewing him, his family, friends, coworkers, and adversaries. The result is the revealing inside story, filled with amazing tales of triumphs and turmoil, that addresses the question: are the demons that drive Musk also what it takes to drive innovation and progress?
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  1. Listening Length
    20 hours and 39 minutes
  2. Author
    Walter Isaacson, see all
  3. Narrator
    Jeremy Bobb
  4. Publication date
    September 12, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0BX4S57GM
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

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Product details

  • Listening Length ‏ : ‎ 20 hours and 39 minutes
  • Author ‏ : ‎ Walter Isaacson, see all
  • Narrator ‏ : ‎ Jeremy Bobb
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 12, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster Audio
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BX4S57GM
  • Version ‏ : ‎ Unabridged
  • Program Type ‏ : ‎ Audiobook
  • Best Sellers Rank: #862 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars (23,930)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
23,930 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this biography to be one of the best biographies, praising its readability and how Isaacson writes in a way that makes readers feel alongside the subject. The book provides detailed insights into Musk's life and recent events, and customers appreciate its fast-paced structure, with some finishing over 600 pages in two days. They describe it as captivating and say they couldn't put it down.
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667 customers mention content, 597 positive, 70 negative
Customers find the book to be one of the best biographies, praising its content.
Great book, easy read and since it related to current events is quite interesting . We have to give him credit for his magnificent crazinessRead more
Well written, insightful, informative and interesting. You’re captivated by the multifaceted mind of this creative and complex visionary and genius.Read more
...Musk's life is as complex as his personality. I highly recommend you spend the time to learn more about potentially the most important man of our...Read more
Excellent, fast-paced read; A fairly balanced take on Elon and his adventures!...Read more
437 customers mention readability, 414 positive, 23 negative
Customers find the book easy to follow and engaging, with one describing it as riveting.
The book is a great read on a weird individual who believes we must have the ability to live on another planet, while he himself does not have the...Read more
...it's a good read imo. a page turner. overall i'd say it's a study of character rather than a cut and dry accounting of what elon has done....Read more
...This is a must read. Elon will go down in history. Getting to know him in his true light sooner than later will only be to your benefit....Read more
Very interesting and insightful book about Elon....Read more
243 customers mention informative, 233 positive, 10 negative
Customers find the book informative and thought-provoking, providing valuable insights into Musk's life and mind, particularly about recent events.
...The good and the bad. Very readable. Fascinating and informative. It’s a keeper in American History section of my library.Read more
The book was incredible, brilliantly written, insightful, and exciting. I was hard pressed to put down the book for the whole 600 pages....Read more
...Fascinating insight into what it takes to achieve great advances in technology, including the importance of accepting risk over the illusion of...Read more
Very informative and revealing book with detailed insights into Musk's life and personality....Read more
156 customers mention writing quality, 139 positive, 17 negative
Customers praise the writing style of the biography, noting that it makes you feel like you're alongside the subject throughout the narrative.
Well written, insightful, informative and interesting. You’re captivated by the multifaceted mind of this creative and complex visionary and genius.Read more
Very well written. Balanced and intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the insights into Elon’s mania and intensity....Read more
It's a pleasure to read a well written book about one of the greatest minds of our time. What a super hard working guy he is. Very driven....Read more
So well written! Proves how overcoming,not giving up has its amazing rewards! So wrong to judge the why in people!Read more
92 customers mention story, 82 positive, 10 negative
Customers praise the book's narrative, describing it as an absolutely captivating journey that provides the inside story they were seeking.
Great story of an American icon, serial entrepreneur.Read more
Fascinating story!Read more
I’m not a die hard Elon Musk fan and prefer fiction but this is an amazing story and written so well but easy that I was sucked into the story...Read more
Incredible story of an incredible human beingRead more
84 customers mention detailed, 74 positive, 10 negative
Customers find the book detailed and thorough, providing new information not previously covered, with one customer noting how well the technical aspects of Musk's life are explained.
What I liked: * Isaacson's biography provides a comprehensive and insightful look at Elon Musk's life and career. *...Read more
...open minded about learning about the motivations of Musk, and the very detailed, and intricate mind he has.Read more
Overall the book is a lengthy yet detailed and highly readable tome that delivers a comprehensive look at Elon Musk's life and career....Read more
Very thorough but a quick read. Really takes you into the "high functioning Asperger's" mind and life of Elon Musk....Read more
58 customers mention pacing, 43 positive, 15 negative
Customers enjoy the book's pacing, with many completing over 600 pages in 2 days and reading 100-150 pages at a time over 3 days.
Excellent, fast-paced read; A fairly balanced take on Elon and his adventures!...Read more
...I think the book is well, written, fast paced, and easy to grasp, considering the concepts discussed.Read more
Not a quick read but a fascinating portrait of a rogue genius who has done more to shape current American culture and technology than any person...Read more
Loved this book, read it in 2 days. Book was great and author is one of my favorite.Read more
54 customers mention engrossing, 52 positive, 2 negative
Customers find the book engrossing, describing it as a page-turner they couldn't put down, with one customer comparing the experience to being a fly on the wall.
The book is well written and hard to put down. Musk is not likable, but there are important biographies of other unlikeable historical figures....Read more
I couldn’t put it down! What insight into genius! I think Musk is breathtaking in this world of ours and is very under appreciated.Read more
I really enjoyed this one. Couldn't put it down. If you are into biographies, definitely give this book your time.Read more
...Highly recommended reading. I could not put it down. Elon is a fascinating characterRead more
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