Product Description

The mastermind behind Apple sheds his low profile and steps forward to tell his story for the first time.

Before cell phones that fit in the palm of your hand and slim laptops that fit snugly into briefcases, computers were like strange, alien vending machines. They had cryptic switches, punch cards and pages of encoded output. But in 1975, a young engineering wizard named Steve Wozniak had an idea: What if you combined computer circuitry with a regular typewriter keyboard and a video screen? The result was the first true personal computer, the Apple I, a widely affordable machine that anyone could understand and figure out how to use.

Wozniak's life—before and after Apple—is a "home-brew" mix of brilliant discovery and adventure, as an engineer, a concert promoter, a fifth-grade teacher, a philanthropist, and an irrepressible prankster. From the invention of the first personal computer to the rise of Apple as an industry giant, iWoz presents a no-holds-barred, rollicking, firsthand account of the humanist inventor who ignited the computer revolution. 16 pages of illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81954 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From AudioFile
"Woz," or Steve Wozniak, the eternally optimistic wizard who, along with Steve Jobs, gave birth to Apple Computer, shares his life story in a wide-eyed, positive tone. Patrick Lawlor brings the perfect level of "California nerd cool" to the proceedings, unabashedly funneling Woz's enthusiasm into the recording. One of technology's great wags-to-riches stories (the author is an inveterate practical joker), iWoz provides not only an entertaining, lively memoir but an insightful view of a modern inventor whose mind never stops working. Be prepared for some tech talk that may whiz over your head, but it's never long before the story picks up again. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
Every engineer—and certainly every engineering student—should read this book….It is, in a nutshell, the engineer's manifesto. -- Guy Kawasaki, author of The Macintosh Way

Everyone should enjoy Woz's very personal and engaging story….What a wild ride! -- Ray Kurzweil, inventor and author of Singularity Is Near

Worth waiting for…adds intriguing new information to the history of the origins of the personal computer revolution. -- Alan Deutschman, author of The Second Coming of Steve Jobs

About the Author
Steve Wozniak has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology and the Heinz Award. He lives in California.

Customer Reviews

Wozniaks (lame) attempt to not be forgotten
I just finished reading iWoz last night and I have to say that I was extremely dissapointed.

This book offers advice at the end, almost as an afterhought. If Wozniak wanted to make the book more interesting it would have served him better to turn the last chapter into a phamplet and sell that.

Reading through this book you will find several digs at Steve Jobs. Immediately I realized that Woz is quite bitter and resentful against Jobs.

There is no doubt in my mind about Woz's intelligence and what he has created but he talks about it in such a boastful way that it begins to become draining. "I was the first to do this, I was the first to do that" over and over again.

What I realized at the end of the book is that Wozniak has taken everything he has for granted. He forgets what while he may have invented many things he would not have financially benefited from ANY of it without Apple and without Jobs. He would still be a engineer at HP in their calculator division had OTHERS not worked with him. He rarely credits others for getting him where he is today.

My opinion of Steve Wozniak was much higher BEFORE I read this book. Unfortunately this book made me see what kind of person Steve Wozniak is, perhaps this is why he's burnt through so many wives. He's arrogant, self-centered and egotistical. Perhaps if you want a lesson in how to be thankless to those who've helped you reach much success you should give this book a read.

While Woz claims he did this book to 'set the story straight' it reads more like a last ditch attempt at not being forgotten.

It's informative, inspiring, and hilarious.
I was looking to find out how much was true of Pirates of Silicon Valley when I came across this book. I'm not a fan of Apple, but I am a person who enjoys history of many sorts, and I am close to getting a degree in Engineering Technology.

It's just a great read. There are many interesting things in here about history, such as his thoughts on Vietnam. He talks about his design decisions in simple terms. He describes in detail the most hilarious pranks that had me laughing aloud. I even learned a few things that might help me as an engineer. If I wasn't so busy, this book would be done in 2-3 days tops. It's just that difficult to put down. I always want to know what happens next and am disappointed when I have to put it down.

There are a few minor downsides. He is often repeats himself. He can be pompous at times. Some sentences don't communicate well. Even after reading the sentences multiple times, I couldn't understand what it was saying.

I'm just over halfway done with the book and I had to write the review because I am so excited about this book. I don't think you have to know any technical knowledge to enjoy it for what it is.

A Reminiscing Romp through early Computer History
If you use a computer (which is almost everyone now) I believe your obligated to read this book. Even though I enjoyed the book I felt like it lead me a little to how Woz wants to be remembered. I have a great admiration for him and this story certainly supports that. While for me there was nothing really shockingly new I did find a lot of little facts and stories that I had not known. Unfortunately I never did follow or understand his activities with the huge concerts in California. Being a long time computer enthusiast I couldn't help but loving this book. Hope you enjoy it as much.