Isaacson Shares a Touching Preview of the Steve Jobs Biography

[Bytor65]

Remember Steve had very high standards. His relationship with his kids might not be what he wanted but I'm left with the impression that he was far more involved than many fathers. Reports of him attending school functions related to his kids come to mind.

Absolutely. When your kids are growing up, you are busy doing things together, being a family, parenting them, and taking an interest in your children's life. You aren't really trying to inform them about everything about you.

In their 20's and 30's you might like to share time discussing some events in your life, including events you are not proud of and lessons learned from them, answering the adult question they might put to you about events in your life.

Steve knew he would not be there for those adult conversations, that he just could not have now with his teenage daughters now (youngest is 13).

In no way does this indicate that he was not there for his kids, just that in typical Jobs fashion, he wanted to take it one step better and leave them a comprehensive supplement to understand their father after he was gone.

I would love to have anything like that from my father who is no longer here.


Edit: Steve Jobs the dad, from one of his Neighbors:
http://lisenstromberg.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/my-neighbor-steve-jobs/

 

[Collected]

The bit at the end about his children brought that lump back to my throat I've been struggling with all day. I suspect it will return when I read the book too. Emotional day.

 

[ob81]

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? Eek! I wouldn't call that class my man. The phrase "actions speak louder than words" is popular for a reason. Because they do! Why should his kids have to read a book about their own pops? That sucks!

I respect Steve Jobs just as much as the next man. I have been buying products since 2005. In no means though have I forgotten right from wrong though.

This man had 6-7 years to mend his ties with his family (original approach 2004!).

His kids are too young to understand what he's accomplished in his life. They don't have to read a book to know their father, they will read a book to learn of his life when they are old enough to understand it all. Geesh.

That is open for debate. You took one part of what he said and used that to prove your point (common). He said that he wanted his kids to know him.
The way you took it and the way I took it are different. This is why actions speak louder than words. This proves my point!

 

[spimp31]

Steve Jobs wasn't exactly known for being a great person on a moral or human level, but nor were most of the great leaders in politics, technology, the arts, or sports. Professionals that are driven to the level of obsession and perfectionism that Jobs had often are wired that way. I don't think it tarnishes his legacy because his legacy won't be centered around his personal shortcomings.

That said, no one mentions that he had an illegitimate daughter who he wouldn't own up to or support, even though her mother was on welfare while Jobs was already rich. Given that and his well known temper, I never admired him for the man he was personally. I think many people were aware of his personal shortcomings, but respected him for his ability to look ahead of most others with the bigger picture in mind.

 

[maryannee]

I'm most certainly buying this book. But I can't choose between hardback or ebook.

I might buy both.

I did.

 

[smithrh]

I just wanted to post these pictures, after his last keynote at WWDC 2011.
Image
Image

It looks like he already knew back then...

Yes, undoubtably he knew that was his last keynote - and seeing those pictures let me know that too. I was deeply saddened to see those pics...

 

[AidenShaw]

Yes, undoubtably he knew that was his last keynote - and seeing those pictures let me know that too. I was deeply saddened to see those pics...

Take comfort, though, in the fact that he was given time to reach out to friends and family - and to tie things up and say goodbye.

I think that it is much sadder when a life ends suddenly - and the survivors are burdened that the last conversation was an argument or had bitterness, or just a simple "I love you" that hadn't been spoken.

I hope that when my time comes that I get six weeks to talk to my friends and family. The real sadness is if one's life is suddenly snuffed out on the way home from work because some idiot is talking on her cell phone and didn't notice that the light had turned red.

 

[mrsir2009]

Looking fwd to the next Time magazine coming in my mail!

 

[Frobozz]

I pre-ordered the book on iBooks. I thought that would be appropriate, after all. I can't wait to read it. I'm deeply saddened that he is gone at such a young age.

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Take comfort, though, in the fact that he was given time to reach out to friends and family - and to tie things up and say goodbye.

I think that it is much sadder when a life ends suddenly - and the survivors are burdened that the last conversation was an argument or had bitterness, or just a simple "I love you" that hadn't been spoken.

I hope that when my time comes that I get six weeks to talk to my friends and family. The real sadness is if one's life is suddenly snuffed out on the way home from work because some idiot is talking on her cell phone and didn't notice that the light had turned red.

I couldn't agree more. I try to always let my wife and kid know how much they matter to me. But I can't imagine how terrible it would be to not have an opportunity to say goodbye.

 

[judethat]

That article just made me shed a tear. I will miss you Steve, such an inspiration, love you. RIP xxx.

 

[m9enus]

The last line about him wanting his kids to know him is simultaneously touching and disturbing. I'm torn because I know how important I found him and the products that he helped design and bring to market, but is all of that really worth it if he felt like he needed a biography to help his kids know him? I'm not sure.

i guess each person has his own way of showing love

 

[toddybody]

Reads wonderfully, cant wait to get a copy.

 

[miniConvert]

Ah crap, I wish I hadn't read that at work, it's setting me off again.

:'(

 

[Ice Dragon]

I sent in my piece to the memorial e-mail, bought the Wall Street Journal yesterday morning, and pre-ordered the book last night.

 

[joepunk]

I've been hunting around for Time magazine at the stores but still no such luck. Am I right in thinking that it was sent to stores todayish?

 

[AppleMacDudeG4]

Already ordered

I have already ordered this book but if this small portion is indicative of the rest of the book, it is going to be a very good book. I just wish Steve could have lived long enough to see it's release while he was still alive.

So long Steve, and Thanks for all the insanely great products.

Sent from my iPad2, designed by Steve

 

[twoodcc]

i'm looking forward to this book

 

[Cougarcat]

I've been hunting around for Time magazine at the stores but still no such luck. Am I right in thinking that it was sent to stores todayish?

Couldn't find it either...went to several places, just had Oct. 10 issue...

 

[dvdlovr24]

Picked mine up at Barnes & Noble today.

 

[BCurry1]

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Just left Barnes and Noble. Lots of copies of the Time magazine on the shelf. I picked up 2 of them.