Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
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Elon Musk

by

Walter Isaacson

(Author)

4.7

-

15,272 ratings


#1 New York Times bestseller

From the author of Steve Jobs and other bestselling biographies, this is the astonishingly intimate story of the most fascinating and controversial innovator of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. Oh, and took over Twitter.

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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ISBN-10

1982181281

ISBN-13

978-1982181284

Print length

688 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

Publication date

September 11, 2023

Dimensions

6.13 x 1.9 x 9.25 inches

Item weight

1.78 pounds


Popular Highlights in this book

  • “What I didn’t appreciate is that Elon starts with a mission and later finds a way to backfill in order to make it work financially,” he says. “That’s what makes him a force of nature.”

    Highlighted by 4,274 Kindle readers

  • While other entrepreneurs struggled to develop a worldview, he developed a cosmic view.

    Highlighted by 2,460 Kindle readers


Product details

ASIN :

B0BW9TRGKV

File size :

96388 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

Screen reader :

Supported

Enhanced typesetting :

Enabled

X-Ray :

Enabled

Word wise :

Enabled


Editorial Reviews

Shortlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year

"Whatever you think of Mr. Musk, he is a man worth understanding— which makes this a book worth reading." — The Economist

"With Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson offers both an engaging chronicle of his subject’s busy life so far and some compelling answers..." — Wall Street Journal

"Walter Isaacson’s new biography of Elon Musk, published Monday, delivers as promised — a comprehensive, deeply reported chronicle of the world-shaping tech mogul’s life, a twin to the author’s similarly thick 2011 biography of Steve Jobs. Details ranging from the personally salacious to the geopolitically volatile have already made the rounds — the rare example of a major book publication causing a news cycle in its own right...What Isaacson’s biography reveals through its personalized lens on Musk’s work with Tesla, SpaceX, OpenAI, and more is not only what Musk wants, but how and why he plans to do it. The portrait that emerges is one that resembles a hard-charging, frequently alienating Gilded Age-style captain of industry, with a particular fixation on AI that ties everything together....Isaacson’s book is like a decoder ring, tying the mercurial Musk’s various obsessions into a coherent worldview with a startlingly concrete goal at its center." — Politico

"[The book] has everything you'd expect from a book on Musk—stories of tragedy, triumph, and turmoil.... While the stories are fascinating and guaranteed to spark a mountain of coverage, founders and entrepreneurs will also unearth valuable lessons." — Inc.

"Isaacson has gathered information from the man’s admirers and critics. He lays all of it out.... The book is bursting with stories....A deeply engrossing tale of a spectacular American innovator. " — New York Journal of Books

"One of the greatest biographers in America has written a massive book about the richest man in the world. This fast-paced biography, based on more than a hundred interviews...[is] a head-spinning tale about a vain, brilliant, sometimes cruel figure whose ambitions are actively shaping the future of human life."—Ron Charles on CBS Sunday Morning

"A painstakingly excavation of the tortured unquiet mind of the world’s richest man… Isaacson’s book is not a soaring portrait of a captain of industry, but rather an exhausting ride through the life of a man who seems incapable of happiness." —The Sunday Times

"An experienced biographer’s comprehensive study." —The Observer

"Walter Isaacson’s all-access biography… Its portrait of the tech maverick is fascinating." —The Telegraph

"Isaacson boils Musk down to two men… the result is a beat-by-beat book that follows him insider important rooms and explores obscure regions of his mind." —The Times

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Sample

1 Adventurers

Joshua and Winnifred Haldeman

Elon Musk’s attraction to risk was a family trait. In that regard, he took after his maternal grandfather, Joshua Haldeman, a daredevil adventurer with strongly held opinions who was raised on a farm on the barren plains of central Canada. He studied chiropractic techniques in Iowa, then returned to his hometown near Moose Jaw, where he broke in horses and gave chiropractic adjustments in exchange for food and lodging.

He was eventually able to buy his own farm, but he lost it during the depression of the 1930s. For the next few years, he worked as a cowboy, rodeo performer, and construction hand. His one constant was a love for adventure. He married and divorced, traveled as a hobo on freight trains, and was a stowaway on an oceangoing ship.

The loss of his farm instilled in him a populism, and he became active in a movement known as the Social Credit Party, which advocated giving citizens free credit notes they could use like currency. The movement had a conservative fundamentalist streak tinged with anti-Semitism. Its first leader in Canada decried a “perversion of cultural ideals” because “a disproportionate number of Jews occupy positions of control.” Haldeman rose to become chair of the party’s national council.

He also enlisted in a movement called Technocracy, which believed that government should be run by technocrats rather than politicians. It was temporarily outlawed in Canada because of its opposition to the country’s entry into World War II. Haldeman defied the ban by taking out a newspaper ad supporting the movement.

At one point he wanted to learn ballroom dancing, which is how he met Winnifred Fletcher, whose adventurous streak was equal to his. As a sixteen-year-old, she got a job at the Moose Jaw Times Herald, but she dreamed of being a dancer and actress. So she lit out by train to Chicago and then New York City. Upon her return, she opened a dance school in Moose Jaw, which is where Haldeman showed up for lessons. When he asked her to dinner, she replied, “I don’t date my clients.” So he quit the class and asked her out again. A few months later, he asked, “When will you marry me?” She responded, “Tomorrow.” They had four children, including twin girls, Maye and Kaye, born in 1948. One day on a trip he spotted a For Sale sign on a single-engine Luscombe airplane sitting in a farmer’s field. He had no cash, but he convinced the farmer to take his car in exchange. It was rather impetuous, since Haldeman did not know how to fly. He hired someone to fly him home and teach him how to pilot the plane.

The family came to be known as The Flying Haldemans, and he was described by a chiropractic trade journal as “perhaps the most remarkable figure in the history of flying chiropractors,” a rather narrow, albeit accurate, accolade. They bought a larger single-engine plane, a Bellanca, when Maye and Kaye were three months old, and the toddlers became known as “the flying twins.”

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About the authors

Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson is writing a biography of Elon Musk. He is the author of The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race; Leonardo da Vinci; Steve Jobs; Einstein: His Life and Universe; Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution; and Kissinger: A Biography. He is also the coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made. He is a Professor of History at Tulane, has been CEO of the Aspen Institute, chairman of CNN, and editor of Time magazine.

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

15,272 global ratings

Drewster

Drewster

5

A Captivating Journey Through the Mind of Disrupter

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023

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"Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson is an extraordinary biographical exploration of one of the most fascinating and innovative figures of our time. As an admirer of Elon Musk and his ventures, I found this book to be an incredibly insightful and inspiring read that goes far beyond the typical biography. Here's why I believe it's a must-read for anyone interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and the future of humanity.

Thorough and In-Depth Research: Walter Isaacson is renowned for his meticulous research and ability to provide a comprehensive account of his subjects. In "Elon Musk," he delves deep into Musk's life, from his childhood in South Africa to his founding of multiple groundbreaking companies like SpaceX and Tesla. The book leaves no stone unturned, offering a detailed and well-rounded portrait of this visionary entrepreneur.

Humanizing the Genius: Isaacson's writing shines in its ability to humanize Musk, a man often seen as an enigmatic genius. The book delves into Musk's personal struggles, his successes, and his vulnerabilities, allowing readers to relate to him on a human level. This approach makes the story all the more engaging and relatable.

Awe-Inspiring Vision: Musk's vision for the future is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and Isaacson does an exceptional job of conveying the magnitude of Musk's ambitions. From colonizing Mars to revolutionizing the automotive industry, Musk's visionary ideas are portrayed with enthusiasm and intellectual depth. Reading about his endeavors leaves you feeling invigorated and excited about the possibilities of our future.

Insights into the Creative Process: "Elon Musk" offers valuable insights into the creative process of a brilliant mind. The book details Musk's relentless pursuit of innovation and his willingness to take risks that others deemed impossible. For aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators, the book provides a treasure trove of lessons on perseverance, problem-solving, and thinking beyond conventional boundaries.

Compelling Narrative Style: Walter Isaacson's storytelling skills are evident throughout the book. His ability to craft a compelling narrative makes this biography read more like an adventure novel. The prose flows seamlessly, keeping the reader engaged and eager to turn the page.

Timely and Relevant: In an era where technology and the future of our planet are at the forefront of global discussions, "Elon Musk" is incredibly timely and relevant. The book not only provides a window into Musk's life but also addresses pressing issues like sustainable energy, space exploration, and artificial intelligence.

In conclusion, "Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson is an exceptional biography that offers a profound and intimate look at the life and mind of a modern visionary. It's a testament to the power of human determination, innovation, and audacious dreams. Whether you're an Elon Musk enthusiast or simply curious about the world-changing ideas of our time, this book is a captivating and enlightening journey that is not to be missed. I highly recommend it as a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and insight into the future.

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52 people found this helpful

Celina

Celina

5

A Well Written Book

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024

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The story in this book was so expresively written, I was inspired to have my own story written. Having read many books in my lifetime, to me, the Author was born to write. It was as if you were in the story strolling along with the characters and experiencing their life as he wrote. Excellent.

Nilendu Misra

Nilendu Misra

5

Isaacson's best - a tour de force on three dimensions

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2023

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This book is very likely Isaacson's best. One, he got almost unlimited access to Elon and team for two years. Two, Elon! Three, a fascinating case of embracing Risk-with-capital-R as not something to avoid ("do no harm"), not something to optimize (risk-reward analysis) but something to warmly embrace and overcome with will, "surge" and first-principle driven engineering.

The book has essentially three broad parallel themes often intertwined in narratives -

Relationship -- Family and friends - relationship and evolution of it with Elon's parents, grandparents of both sides, kids, spouses/SOs, siblings - especially Kimbal, cousins and a handful of business friends including some employees in both Tesla and SpaceX.

Results -- Zip2/Paypal, EVs, SolarRoof, Rockets/NASA, Neuralink, Hyperloop, Twitter - workspaces where Elon ventured and revolutionized them.

Regulating Principles - This is where Isaacson has done a masterful job. He observed, probed and eked out a set of rules that Elon follows - with himself, with how he gets work done, with other people.

As someone who's worked ("hardcore"ly, if I may) in Tesla during famed "Production Hell" and was lucky to witness several of the events mentioned - e.g., 5000th car of the week, a black Model 3, coming out of factory on June 30, 2018 at 2 AM-ish - Isaacson's description of Tesla, and its mission-driven culture, is accurate, though as a genuine believer in that mission, seemed awfully short. Some of Elon's brilliant "management emails" deserved a mention - e.g., how not/to communicate (no abbreviations; hierarchy agnostic), how to/not meet (get out if you are adding no value), how to set goals (Hofstadder's law - set it so ambitious that even missing it by 50% would still get it done twice as fast had it not been set so) etc. Plus, Elon is always highly readable, and short.

To bridge to standard practices of management, as it is followed in most western world today, the author follows up with most people after they had "interesting pushbacks" from Elon, mostly when they either did not have an answer and did not say they did not know, or when - simply - Elon was thinking far ahead of them, and thinking multi-threaded to not offer much of "contextual relevance". The emphasis on "small teams with right individuals will always outcompete large teams" is spot on and is essentially why Autopilot is successful with 150 engineers and Twitter was awfully slow moving with few thousands.

Last third of the book was often observed and written in first person. The author was present in many of those events. But that takes a little bit away from the velocity of the book and perhaps adds 50-60 more pages that merely repeat the themes already established, with apt narratives, earlier in the book. Moving Twitter's 5000 servers from Sacramento data center to Portland - first thought to take months till Elon diverted his jet, landed in Sacramento, opened an air vent with a (borrowed) utility knife, went underneath the rack and essentially did a "POC" - is one such example. It was an intersting read, especially for an engineer, irrespective.

No single individual in last 100 years, perhaps, did change things more for "humanity as a macro". "Elon Musk" is the best way to understand him and is a brilliant, captivating read. The grand theme of the book, to me, was as Elon was quoted - "This is how civilizations decline. They quit taking risks. And when they quit taking risks, their arteries harden. Every year there are more referees and fewer doers."

This is not just a book on Elon Musk. This is a book to look at risk with a fundamentally different world-, or should I say 'cosmic-', view.

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126 people found this helpful

Bryson Williams

Bryson Williams

5

Amazing

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024

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This was a really great book. I remember reading the ‘Elon Musk” book by Ashley Vance and really enjoying it. This took it a step further and gave insight from Elon himself, as well as others into one of the greatest minds of our lifetime. 10/10 read.

T. Steven Redding

T. Steven Redding

4

Good

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is a good, well written, and comprehensive account of Elon Musk’s life and business dealings, yet I tired of reading of all his egotistical shenanigans and protracted immaturity.

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