Elon Musk By Walter Isaacson

I suspect quite a few people will skip over this book due to their feelings about Elon Musk and his political leanings and increasing outspoken nature in American and UK politics in recent years. It’s a shame because it’s a very good read and an incredible insight into many details of Musk’s business pursuits over the years covering the good, bad and the ugly. Regardless of your feeling about him it’s difficult to with a straight face provide an objective assessment that doesn’t acknowledge the incredible business accolades and success he’s achieved.

Walter Isaacson is as good as ever in this book in getting into the details of Musk, his background and different to most of Isaacson’s biographies an inside lane into the daily ongoings of Musk’s life. Love him or hate him the sheer brute force will that Musk has applied to business endeavours over the years is something to marvel at. The have achieved what he has in the electric car space as well as sending rockets into space is nothing short of astounding. I acknowledge there will be some who will point to subsidies and turns of fortune that have worked in his favour but it’s simply not possible to achieve the feet he has without a special something about the person. As is covered many times in the book by many people Musk has worked with the question remains whether in order to have the qualities it takes for his successes you need to endure the worse side of him as well. The answer to that at this point would seem to be yes.

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in business, entrepreneurialism or just what it takes to become successful in the corporate business world. In an age of seeking the right work life balance Musk’s is a story of what you can achieve when the ‘life’ side goes out the window for full ‘demon mode’ focus on work. Is it worth it in the end? Who knows as often despite the riches that it’s brought him Musk seems somewhat tortured by his relentless need to move forwards. One thing is certain though that the world has undoubtedly benefitted from what he’s been able to create.

Who’s it for?

If you’re a fan of Musk then this is for you and I’d even argue if you’re not it’s good to get under the hood of what makes him tick although I suspect it will be a hard sell given the almost infuriating response Musk can invoke in people. If you’re relatively neutral on Musk but an avid fan of biographies and specifically business orientated ones then this should be right up your street.