Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

I have been a follower and admirer of @elonmusk for the last 15 years. Over time, I have read countless interviews, watched hundreds of YouTube videos, and read half a dozen biographies on @elonmusk. So, when Elon announced via X that Walter Isaacson was doing a biography on him, I wondered what Walter would uncover or write that we already didn’t know. I couldn’t wait for the book to be delivered to my Kindle, and boy, did it surprise me! As usual, Walter has done a fantastic job of bringing out the good and the not-so-good personality of this capital-G Genius.

This biography has all the ingredients of a thriller — romance, tragedy, excitement, highs of success, and lows of failure. I could not keep the book down and had to complete it in one go — all 600+ pages! Walter has done a fantastic job of giving the readers bite-sized information which is easy to follow.

?The very mention of Elon brings differing views. He has a polarizing effect on humanity. Irrespective of your opinion, we all must agree that no one person, living or dead, has revolutionized so many industries within two decades (Space, auto, internet, AI, transportation, and the list continues.)?

Walter Isaacson has traced Elon's tumultuous journey from his childhood in South Africa to the present in only the way Walter can. He reportedly spent two full years following Elon worldwide, had unfettered access to him, and attended multiple meetings at Tesla, SpaceX, and many of his other ventures.

Unquestioningly, what stands out from the biography are these rare qualities of a successful entrepreneur and a visionary:

His vision for the future:?

He envisions a world powered by clean energy, a human presence on Mars, and high-speed transportation through the Hyperloop. His commitment to solving some of humanity's most pressing problems is admirable and aspirational.

His ability to overcome challenges and superhuman resilience:

Walter also delves into the personal and professional challenges Elon has faced throughout his life. From financial setbacks to strained relationships, Elon's resilience in adversity is truly inspirational. His ability to turn failures into opportunities is a testament to his extraordinary mindset.

Dream big:

Elon has redefined what it means to dream big and push the boundaries of human achievement. Walter's biography is a captivating journey through the life of a modern-day Renaissance man whose impact on technology, space exploration, and sustainable energy will be felt for generations to come.

How to turn Demons into successes:

As Walter says, we all have Demons in our lives, and how do you turn those Demons into successes? He believes Elon has turned these Demons into successes, but maybe not always.?

The biography also brings intriguing and sometimes disturbing questions about super achievers.

Walter Isaacson has been asked many times during his interviews:

Do you have to be an unreasonable and ultra-hard taskmaster to be a success (i.e., a jerk)?

Is reality distortion a necessity for a successful entrepreneur?

Walters provides an interesting perspective on this question. In his own words:

“ I was born into a normal and happy family In New Orleans and didn’t face the challenges that people like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk did. I became reasonably successful, but I don't fly a rocket, build an electric car company, or the most successful smartphone. I write about people who do.”

Whether you love @elonmusk or not, we cannot deny the fact that we are unlikely to see another human being who has had such a profound effect on humanity in such a short period.

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