When you hear the words, “Elon Musk” what are the first thoughts that come to mind? Would it be that he is the most powerful, and/or, richest man in the world? Would you choose to define him as a risk taker with an entrepreneurial spirit? What if you were able to shadow Elon for two years to better assist you in describing the man, his life, and his mission? That is exactly what Walter Isaacson did. For two years, Isaacson was a silhouette in Elon’s life. He attended meetings and walked the factory floors of Tesla and Space X. Isaacson also had access to interview Elon’s friends, family, co-workers, and employees. The end result was Isaacson’s masterpiece, Elon Musk.
From the early years of his life in South Africa, to Elon’s current fascination with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Elon reveals the reasons for some of his most courageous business decisions. Elon also bares his darkest days and his most exciting accomplishments. Some people choose their career paths because of their parents, friends, or interest.I discovered Elon’s path to a technological calling was forged by a strong desire to colonize Mars, video and simulation games, and a book entitled Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe. The book helped Elon out of a childhood depression and developed his imagination and fascination for space and technology. I also discovered Elon’s path to understanding physics and the way things worked was not learned in school or college. Elon can be said to be self-taught by reading copious books. All this was not easy for someone with Asperger’s, an autism-spectrum disorder. Something else I was unaware of.
In writing this book, Isaacson discloses Elon’s disappointments and tragedies in his personal life. Elon discusses why he believes his marriages failed and the tragic death of his first-born son, Nevada Musk, from sudden infant death syndrome. Isaacson was able to discover the reason for Elon’s estrangement from his son, Xavier Musk. Elon’s estrangement was not, and did not begin, with Xavier’s decision to transition to Vivian Jenna Wilson, at the age of 16. It began when Xavier Musk embraced the idea of Marxism and held it against his dad that ‘a man could be so rich.’ Regarding his nine children (11 at the time of this review), Isaacson hints why Elon is closer to his son ‘X’ and why ‘X’ is always by Elon’s side.
If you want to know how Elon thinks and the reason for some of his intrepid decisions, then this is a must read. Do not let the thickness of the book, or the number of pages, fool you. Isaacson’s layout of the book makes the 615 pages a very easy read. When I was finished with the book, it left me wanting more. Maybe, just maybe, Isaacson will do a follow up in the next ten years. For I am sure the next ten years will bring more Elon inventions, creativeness, and inspiration.
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