Steve Jobs

“He was not a model boss or human being, tidily packaged for emulation.”

Before Isaacson dives into the narrative of Jobs’s life, he provides this statement as a sort of disclaimer on Jobs, noting that parts of Jobs’s life are a cautionary tale, while others provide keen insight into one of the great business minds of the 21st century.

“Joanne had one requirement: Her child must be adopted by college graduates.”

Joanne Schieble was committed to the notion that her unborn son would have all the opportunities possible to succeed in life, since she herself would not be raising him. Though she didn’t see this requirement fulfilled in Paul and Clara Jobs, Steve’s contribution to the world far surpassed the benefits of a formal education per se.

“Steve Jobs knew from an early age that he was adopted.”

Paul and Clara Jobs were very open with Steve about being adopted and framed his adoption story as one where they had chosen him, a special child who they wanted to be their son.