iWoz

In 1975 Steve Wozniak decided to build a computer for a 'bit of fun' – he called it Apple I. Three decades later and that bit of fun has spawned a billion-dollar company and over thirty million Apple users – they call it perfection.

Having avoided the spotlight for the last twenty-five years, Steve is finally ready to break his silence. I, WOZ is the no-holds-barred story of the Apple co-founder and inventor, and how he changed the face of the computing industry. How, by creating a computer that was faster, simpler and – these days – better looking than any other, he helped to shape everything from the way that we listen to music (ipods), to the way that we communicate (ichat).

For the first time, Steve talks about his childhood, phone phreaking, pranks, working for Hewlett Packard, meeting George Bush Senior, a life-changing plane crash and his passion for teaching. From huge triumphs to big mistakes and back again, I, WOS offers a unique glimpse into the offbeat, brilliant and ethical mind that conceived the Apple Computer and grew it into a cult icon.

1. Our Gang: The Electronics Kids
2. The Logic Game
3. Learning by Accident
4. The "Ethical" TV Jammer
5. Cream Soda Days
6. Phreaking for Real
7. Escapades with Steve
8. HP and Moonlighting as a Crazy Polack
9. Wild Projects
10. My Big Idea
11. The Apple I
12. Our Very Own Company
13. The Apple II
14. The Biggest IPO Since Ford
15. The Woz Plan
16. Crash Landing
17. Have I Mentioned I Have the Voice of an Angel?
18. Leaving Apple, Moving to Cloud Nine
19. The Mad Hatter
20. Rules to Live By
    

The ramblings of the legendary Woz seemed like a good idea to read at first. After having got halfway throught it, I began to regret the decision, as it was repetetive and childlike. But it maybe reflects the Woz real character. He was a very important engineering person in the childhood of the PC-revolution, but today, he seems a bit naive and to not having a firm grasp on reality (offset of course by his fortune).

He comes of as a nice chap, that you don't really have any interest in knowing better (total lack of charisma) but wouldn't mind having around as background noise…

And if you're out for some insights into Apple (or Steve Jobs), you will be sorely disappointed, as that is very superficially covered.