business books

Elon Musk Book Review: A Riveting Biography

Cover Image - Elon Musk - Book Review: A Riveting Biography

I read Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance after years of waiting. I’m glad I finally did. It opened a door to the enigmatic world of one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Musk is the poster child for innovation, admired by Silicon Valley, adored in America, and idolized worldwide. But is all that reverence really justified? This biography does a fantastic job of answering that.

My Rating:

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

“A riveting biography.”

Check Elon Musk on Goodreads


What’s Elon Musk Book About?

In this book, Ashlee Vance takes a comprehensive look at Elon Musk’s journey—from his childhood in South Africa to the visionary billionaire running Tesla and SpaceX. Unlike other tech biographies that tend to get bogged down with jargon, this one is highly accessible.

Elon Musk book gives you insights not only into Musk’s life but also the lives of the people who shaped him. It tells how his relentless drive and eccentric personality carved his path.

The book spans Elon’s early childhood, his various entrepreneurial ventures, and how his leadership turned Tesla and SpaceX into groundbreaking companies. It offers a real sense of how Musk’s personality, quirks and drive affect not only him but everyone around him.

What makes it worth reading?

Vance goes beyond just Musk’s business ventures and focuses on the man behind the machines. He interviewed numerous individuals who worked closely with Musk, and this multi-perspective approach adds richness to the story.

Even though the subject is a high-profile techpreneur, the book doesn’t overwhelm the reader with jargon. It flows smoothly, making it accessible even to those without a deep understanding of technology. It focuses more on storytelling, making Musk’s journey engaging for both tech enthusiasts and general readers.

As Vance notes:

“What Musk had done that the rival automakers missed or didn’t have the means to combat was turn Tesla into a lifestyle. It did not just sell someone a car.”

The Downsides...

While the book provides a comprehensive look at Musk’s life up to 2015, it does leave readers wanting more about his recent endeavours. Maybe, a recent update can cover Musk’s more recent achievements, such as his involvement with Neuralink, The Boring Company, or his continued impact on the tech world.

To read or not to?

For anyone interested in entrepreneurship, technology, or the story of Elon, this is a must-read. It provides valuable insights into Musk’s journey and his impact on different industries. Despite its length, the book is engaging and well-written, making it a worthwhile read for those looking to understand the man behind the tech innovations.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Vance's writing style, combined with the subject matter, makes it a gripping read. It humanizes Musk while celebrating his larger-than-life ambitions. If you’re interested in learning how one person can create entire industries from the ground up, this book is for you.


Liked this book review?

Join Book Blabbers WhatsApp group to bond over books, memes and quotes.

Subscribe to Book Blabber's Bulletin to get book summaries, reading tips and occasional hugs in your inbox.

Comments