I usually don’t read 600+ page books - especially biographies which tend to be tedious reads. But this was different. Its short chapters and sub chapters made it very readable. And about Elon Musk - an amazing guy - temperamental, moody, genius, flawed, spontaneous. He has accomplished so much in such a short time. Becoming rich is not his goal. Bettering mankind by rapidly advancing technology is his target. The book is well written. The writer shadowed Musk for two years and experienced first hand his genius and his flaws . I gained great insight into the character of this frequent newsmaker in today’s world

If you want to understand and learn more about Elon Musk’s character, creativity, persistance and story of his life, this book is essential, a must!

first, i'm an elon fan. not blindly, i realize the guy has faults, but holistically i think the guy is a great asset to humanity. ** my real gripes at end of this review. ** the average sentiment for elon in my social circle is negative. one time i had an acquaintance ask me three times in a row if i was being serious about liking elon. i must have been joking. i was not. there were also these things people would repeat about elon that i suspected were false. for example, he came from money, his father was a rich emerald mine owner (which conjures up ideas about south African blood diamonds) or that his success is from taking credit rather than merit or that his views have become extreme right/conspiratorial. i wanted to dig in and separate the truth from the noise so i looked at several elon books and decided on this one. 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. no regrets reading it. i might read it again some day as it's packed with rockets, people, kids, wives, and electric cars. i like the way it's organized into bite sized chunks that focus on one story rather than try and tell the multitude of stories that are happening simultaneously. sometimes the author will repeat a bit already covered which is useful for the reader to get full context of what's going on. for a hypothetical example, there might be a section that focuses on a rocket launch. then later a section that focuses on a falling out with his father that was simultaneous. my biggest complaint and the reason for 4 stars is i feel the author might be a little out of touch, making judgement calls when he should just be making observations. I also think the author is too trusting of corporate media outlets and does not entertain the possibility that elon is actually right on certain topics. instead he makes a character judgement. here are some examples: "musk was cursed with a conspiratorial mindset" this is in reference to musk thinking his negative press was coming from hidden agendas. i find it hard to believe the negative sentiment for elon is just from offensive tweets and interviews. i've never seen a billionaire who has done so much (electric cars alone) and at the same time is so disliked. not gates, not bezos, no one i can think of. but what elon has done is challenge power. he questioned PCR tests, he fought lock downs at teslsa, he was honest about vaccine injuries in his circle of friends and his own bad experience. this is a sure fire way to get your reputation attacked. we are simply not allowed to have honest conversations about anything vaccine or lock down related. but elon did. his brutal honesty in a world where our leaders and institutions routinely lie, is imo, what people like about him. the author also believes the tweet "my pronouns are prosecute/fauci" "made little sense, wasn't funny, and managed, in just 5 words, to mock transgender people, conjure up conspiracies about the 81 year old...." i disagree. the fact that the author dismisses this as conspiracy theory tells me he is out of touch. funding from NIAID (Fauci's organization) did go to the Wuhan Lab, they did do gain of function research, and had in the past done gain of function research on bat corona viruses. Fauci has lies about this while testifying to Rand Paul. meanwhile the lab leak has gone from a conspiracy theory to a credible explanation. even former FDA head Robert Redfield has said he believes it came from a lab. History is going to confirm that elon was ahead on this rather than conspiratorial. also it was hilarious. in 5 words elon exposed the corruption of Fauci while pointing out the insane amount of personal pronounces currently recognized. lgbtqnation.com lists 17 on it's "incomplete" list. "he (elon) retweeted comments by robert kennedy jr, a fervent antivaxxer who alleged that the CIA killed his uncle the president..." . as a person who is very familiar with Kennedy's positions i'll say that the antivax pejorative is one of the biggest lies against RFK jr. it's very misleading. and the author is just repeating what corporate media has been saying for 20 years. RFK's position is that the safety testing is not adequate for vaccines. He is fully vaxxed (except covid) and so are his kids. the antivax pejorative is used to stop him from asking questions about vaccine safety. As for the CIA assassinating JFK it is a very old idea and RFK is not the only one who believes it. RFK jr's case for it is compelling. "he (elon) was skittering at times on the edges of the rabbit holes of conspiracy theories about sinister global elite forces." this author seems to be unaware of things like the WEF pandemic treaty, or the gates funded pandemic simulations that were in part focused on censorship to quell "disinformation". i could go on but won't. i think history will show elon was dialed in to better information sources rather than conspiratorial. instead of characterizing him as conspiratorial it would have better to be nuetral. what i see as a net positive (the ability of elon to think independent of corporate media narratives) the author sees as a bit cray cray. on a positive note, i came away with (i think) a far better understanding of who elon is emotionally and his management style. i did not expect him to be super chill to work with. that's an understatement. he seems every bit as harsh as the steve jobs stories i heard from my friend at apple. one of the central questions in the book seems to be can you accomplish the near impossible and be easy to work with? is accomplishment and a-hole-ishness a package deal? maybe. overall i'd recommend.

I just finished reading "Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson, and I'm still reeling from the experience. This biography is a masterclass in storytelling, offering a captivating and nuanced exploration of Musk's life, from his childhood to his revolutionary ventures. Isaacson's writing is engaging, and his research is meticulous. He presents a balanced view of Musk's triumphs and struggles, revealing the complex personality behind the visionary entrepreneur. The book provides invaluable insights into Musk's innovative spirit, his relentless drive, and his passion for shaping the future. It's a must-read for anyone interested in technology, entrepreneurship, or the future of humanity. I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you're a fan of Musk or simply curious about the man behind the headlines. Isaacson's work is a testament to the power of biography to inspire, educate, and entertain.

"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.