Summary
The Steve Jobs Archive released 'Make Something Wonderful,' a free digital book compiling Jobs' speeches, interviews, emails, and writings, offering direct access to his thoughts on childhood, career setbacks, Pixar, NeXT, and his Apple return.[1][2][3] Edited by Leslie Berlin with an introduction by Laurene Powell Jobs, it features immersive design by LoveFrom and is available at stevejobsarchive.com/book and Apple Books.[1][2] The publication highlights Jobs' visionary approach at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, inspiring readers to create their own impactful work.[1][4]
Key Takeaways
- Curates Jobs' own words on childhood rebellion, NeXT founding, Pixar turnaround, and 1997 Apple return.
- Designed by LoveFrom for immersive reading; free online at stevejobsarchive.com with Apple Books eBook.
- Edited by Leslie Berlin, introduced by Laurene Powell Jobs, emphasizing tech-liberal arts fusion.
- Reveals candid emails, like negotiating Apple return and Pixar investments totaling $60 million.
- Positive reviews highlight inspiration, but content draws from existing speeches and interviews.
Balanced Perspective
The book curates verified primary sources like Jobs' emails on NeXT negotiations and Pixar shorts, alongside speeches on his education and 1997 Apple comeback, without new revelations.[1][3][4] Edited by archive director Leslie Berlin, it spans 196 pages in eBook form, with positive but anecdotal reviews noting its accessibility for Apple enthusiasts.[2] Availability is limited to the archive site and Apple Books initially, focusing on ideas over physical artifacts.[1]
Optimistic View
This release democratizes Steve Jobs' wisdom, freely sharing his creative process to inspire a new generation of innovators tackling today's tech challenges.[1][4] With immersive design from Jony Ive's LoveFrom and heartfelt curation, it captures Jobs' risk-taking spirit—from Pixar investments to Apple revival—proving timeless lessons on blending tech with storytelling can fuel breakthroughs.[1][3] Fans rave about its motivational power, positioning it as a blueprint for 'making wonderful somethings' that advance humanity.[2]
Critical View
While marketed as fresh insights, the content recycles publicly known stories like Jobs' Apple ousting and Microsoft truce, potentially glorifying a polarizing figure without critical context on his management style or failures.[3] High-priced physical editions at $300 risk exclusivity, contradicting the 'free' digital pitch, and it may overhype Jobs' intuition as magic while overlooking team contributions.[4][5] In a post-Jobs era, it distracts from Apple's current innovation struggles.
Source
Originally reported by theverge.com