Steve Jobs - six books that inspired him
Created: 07/08/2022Updated: 07/11/2022 09:19
By: Jessica Bradley
Steve Jobs © stock&people
Steve Jobs was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom.
In keeping with this honor, we show you the six books that inspired him during his lifetime.
My book tip.
Note to our readers:
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This changes nothing for you.
President Joe Biden posthumously awarded Steve Jobs the highest civilian honor in the United States, the Medal of Freedom.
His wife Laurene Powell Jobs accepted it for her late husband.
Steve Jobs wife and Joe Biden © Ken Cedeno - Pool via CNP
During his lifetime, there were six books that inspired Jobs and that he recommended to anyone who asked.
I would like to present these six books today.
Two of them are actually among my favorite books and have been with me for several years.
Andrew S. Grove: "Only the Paranoid Survive"
The editor-recommended book for the General Computer section, Only the Paranoid Survive, explores the inevitable fundamental shifts in business that are changing the very foundations of business, crushing incumbents and elevating newcomers to power and wealth.
It is important to recognize these changes, to cope with them and ultimately even to benefit from them.
Andrew S. Grove "Only the Paranoid Survive"
This non-fiction book deals with company management and the knowledge of reactions to crises.
Cover of "Only the Paranoids Survive" Andrew S. Grove © Campus Verlag
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"Massive change is sweeping America's business community at a violent and ever-increasing rate," writes Andy Grove in his book, Only the paranoid survive, and only those firms struggling hard to keep up with the changes will survive.
And Grove should know, after all.
As Intel's executive director, he grappled with one of the great challenges of the business world in 1994, when flaws in the company's new flagship product -- the Pentium processor -- escalated into a front-page controversy that seriously threatened Intel's future
Andrew S. Grove "Only the Paranoid Survive"
Andrew S. Grove "Only the Paranoid Survive"
1997, Campus Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-593-35783-6
Price: (antiquarian) hardback €272.33, paperback €129.90, number of pages: 264 Order now (promotional link)
George Orwell "1984"
The famous classic by George Orwell, which tells of a totalitarian system and a surveillance state.
London, 1984: Winston Smith, a government forger of history, falls in love with the beautiful and mysterious Juliet.
Together they begin to question the totalitarian world they have functioned as part of.
But even their thoughts are crimes, and "Big Brother" has his ever-vigilant eye on any potential dissident.
George Orwell "1984"
This book is one of my favorite Orwell books along with Animal Farm.
It has an oppressive heaviness and is more relevant today than ever.
Cover "1984" George Orwell © Anaconda Verlag
George Orwell "1984"
2021, Anaconda Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-730-60976-7
Price: hardback €6.95, e-book €5.99, number of pages: 400 (deviating from the format) Order now (promotional link)
Clayton M. Christensen "The Innovators Dilemma"
This non-fiction book also deals with companies.
Especially about management and growth orientation.
About the content Christensen's groundbreaking work "The Innovator's Dilemma" was published in 1997 and is today one of the most important management books of all.
The New York Times bestseller has been translated into more than ten languages and has received numerous awards.
Businesses fail for many reasons.
Clayton M. Christensen "The Innovators Dilemma"
Cover of The Innovators Dilemma Clayton M. Christensen © Vahlen
Clayton M. Christensen "The Innovators Dilemma"
2011, Vahlen, ISBN 13-978-3-800-63791-1
Price.
Hardcover €29.80, e-book €23.99, number of pages: 280 (deviating from the format) Order now (promotional link)
Herman Melville "Moby Dick"
This is also one of my absolute favorite books.
It was the same for Steve Jobs; according to statements, his edition was said to have been very tattered.
Ever since he lost a leg at sea fighting the legendary white whale, Ahab, the high-handed captain of the whaler "Pequod", has been filled with boundless hatred.
Driven by a thirst for revenge and without regard for losses, Ahab sets out on a bitter hunt for his ghostly adversary.
Herman Melville "Moby Dick"
In my opinion, each of us has our own “White Whale”, whether it is a goal, a wish or an unresolved past is different for everyone.
Cover of "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville © Anaconda Verlag
Herman Melville "Moby Dick"
2012, Anaconda Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-866-47764-3
Price: hardback €4.95, e-book €0.99, number of pages: 320 (deviating from the format) Order now (promotional link)
Ayn Rand "Atlas throws off the world"
I only found the first edition of this book.
However, it should be found under the new title "The Strike".
It is a novel that contains both the story of an entrepreneur and a little love story.
The novel tells the story of Dagny Taggart, heiress to a transcontinental railroad line, who tries to prevent the American economy from declining due to the mysterious disappearance of successful industrialists.
Ayn Rand "Atlas throws off the world" Wikipedia
Atlas Drops the World cover Ayn Rand © Blanvalet
Ayn Rand "Atlas throws off the world"
1989, Blanvalet, ISBN 13-978-3-764-55443-9
Price: (antiquarian) bound book €481.83, number of pages: 1325 Order now (promotional link)
Nick Hornby "High Fidelity"
I absolutely have to get this book.
It sounds very interesting to me.
When 35-year-old Rob Fleming, the owner of a record shop that is running poorly, is left by his girlfriend Laura, he first sorts his record collection in peace and enjoys the return to being single.
But maybe records and women are not mutually exclusive?
Nick Hornby's literary adaptation of men's odd relationship with records became a bestseller, boosted by Stephen Frears' film adaptation.
Nick Hornby "High Fidelity"
Cover of “High Fidelity” Nick Hornby © Kiwi Paperback
Nick Hornby "High Fidelity"
2016, Kiwi paperback, ISBN 13-978-3-462-04993-0
Price: paperback €10.99, e-book €6.99, number of pages: 320 (different format) Order now (promotional link)