Steve Jobs is finally cooperating with an official biography, the New York Times reports.
Jobs will collaborate with Walter Isaacson, author of two well-regarded biographies of Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Kissinger.
The book, which is in the early planning stages, would cover the entire life of Mr. Jobs, from his youth in the area now known as Silicon Valley through his years at Apple, these people said.
Mr. Jobs, who will turn 55 on Feb. 24, has invited Mr. Isaacson to tour his childhood home, one person with knowledge of the discussion said.
… Cooperation with Mr. Isaacson could be a sign that Mr. Jobs has emerged from his recent health battles with more of an interest in shaping his legacy.
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Last year Isaacson wrote “American Sketches: Great Leaders, Creative Thinkers, and Heroes of a Hurricane,” a collection of leadership essays.
As the Times notes, several unauthorized biographies of Jobs have been published, including my own NYT bestseller, Inside Steve’s Brain. (Last year, Penguin Portfolio published an updated version: Inside Steve’s Brain; Expanded Edition.)
“Mr. Jobs has reacted angrily to some of these books, and in some cases has directed Apple stores to temporarily remove other books from the same publishers from their shelves,” the Times says.
Before publishing Inside Steve’s Brain, I had to take out a $1 million defamation/libel insurance, which thankfully I didn’t have to use. The publisher wasn’t so happy. A backlash from Jobs is a sure-fire way to get a blockbuster. Looks doubtful Isaacson will have to problems in this regard. Although working with the famously demanding Jobs may place other demands on the author.
