It seems that Apple’s creator, Steve Jobs, is becoming more of an icon after death than he was while living. Isn’t that they way of most captivating figures in history?

A new ebook from CNN technology writer Mark Millian, explores how Jobs fielded emails from fans and even customers. The ebook is called “Letters to Steve: Inside the E-mail Inbox of Apple’s Steve Jobs.”

Description From Amazon

Through his incredible foresight and technological mastery, Steve Jobs touched billions of people's lives around the world over several decades. He attracted a cult-like following that lined up to buy the computers and gadgets produced by Apple Inc. Over the years, people discovered the e-mail address of Jobs and took to regularly sending him messages. That he often responded was as unusual as his leadership style and his processes for crafting hit products.

Mark Milian, a technology writer for CNN, has reviewed more than a hundred of these e-mails, compiled from those posted by fans to blogs and online message boards. Some never-before-published e-mails from Jobs were shared exclusively for this book. As a whole, these correspondences provide a behind-the-scenes and inside-the-mind account of Jobs' final and most triumphant years. During this time, he returned to Apple and led the beleaguered computer maker from the brink of bankruptcy to becoming the most valuable technology company in the world, while also managing Pixar Animation Studios, an innovative production company that rocketed the Walt Disney Company into a new era of family films.

This book is based on interviews with many of the customers and fans Jobs communicated with. These tales reveal the intricacies of how Jobs portrayed himself as likable and accessible through direct interaction with fans. He handled customer-service inquiries himself and carefully revealed hints about upcoming Apple products, guaranteeing headlines on blogs. However, some of these letters, when analyzed, provide a glimpse into his "reality distortion field," in which he lobs insults, bends the truth and uses misdirection in order to manipulate anyone on the receiving end. This book has been self-published in digital form, and is not associated with or endorsed by CNN.

Mixed Reviews

I was about ready to purchase this ebook (on my iPad, thank you Steve) but thought I’d read through the reviews first. At the time of this writing there are 6 reviews, 3 negative and 3 positive.

The negative reviews go on about how the author wasn’t up to the task of writing this book and that it was poorly written. Also that he referred to Apple fans as sheep. I consider myself an Apple guy because of their superior products, not because I was seduced by creative marketing. I don’t see the need to be negative towards a group of consumers. I’m not really sure what the author is trying to do. Also, is the author just trying to make a buck off the passing of Steve Jobs? Leaves a bad taste in your mouth if you know what I mean.

On the positive side I do think the emails of Steve Jobs would be an interesting look into the mind and personality of the Apple creator.

If you’ve read this ebook I would love to know what you thought.

Cheers,

Ryan – Millicorp

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