Bläeckfisk is the Swedish translation for the word octopus. I am not Swedish, but I do own a lot of furniture from Sweden and I like octopuses while admiring their multi-tasking ability. I would like to travel to Sweden at some point, plus I think it is a pretty cool looking word. Anyhow, speaking of words, I guess you could say that is why we are here. Words are the foundation for way we try to wrap our thoughts around everything in the galaxy. The tendrils that lead to emotions and curiosity. I am not here to solve the mysteries of the universe, just to discuss words in general. Specifically words written by other people and have been printed off and slapped between two slices of thin card stock. Many of these sandwiches go on to bigger and better things, some bigger and better than others. So, I guess we will be talking about those as well. If you share an interest in words or enjoi seeing what they can look like in action....välkommen! (Swedish for welcome.)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

B7: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson


"I wanted to make sure someone heard what I had to say."

Imperious. Idiosyncratic. Eccentric. Visionary. Revolutionary. Just a few words that float to mind when attempting to describe the portrait of Apple's founder. Steve Jobs was many things and this smartly written book about his legacy examines the moving parts that make up the man responsible for transforming the computer/movie/music/communications industries throughout his career. I was skeptical at first to read this book since it came out so quickly after Job's passing, but I am glad that I did. Built upon several years’ worth of personal interviews, Isaacson masterly composes the symphony of Steve's life, bringing new insight into his successes and the bridges that were torched in order to achieve them.

With the backdrop being the surrounding towns of where I grew up, it was extremely compelling hearing Job's life story. From his love of calligraphy to why he wore black turtlenecks, Steve Job was truly one of a kind. His chilly temperament and fiery passion for creating a legacy propelled projects he was involved with to unthinkable heights. He was the true embodiment of the yin and yang. Sensitive yet apathetic. Bohemian yet futuristic. He loved creative design, and at the same time was obsessed with the color white. The type of walking contradiction that carried the scorn of being put up for adoption his whole life, only to spurn the birth of his first child.

Steve Jobs was many things. Genius. Artist. Unscrupulous. Beloved. Maybe most importantly, iconic. This exceptional biography is one that you do not want to miss. You will probably see it this holiday season all over bookshops and cafes and for good reason. It's that good. So engrossing and authentic that Jobs himself did not read a word that Isaacson wrote, instead trusting that he would indeed capture what he had to say. Did he ever. Well done Mr. Isaacson.
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