Nat reviewed Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
5.0 stars
The opening chapter had me concerned that this was a Musk apologist piece, but the book turned out to be unbaised, even-handed, and explanatory. The author spent time not only with Musk, but with the people around Musk (including ex-partners - both business and romantic), his tweets (and theirs), and even delving into Musk's news interviews (“Why is Elon doing these interviews?”....“He wants to do them,” Eberhard replied, “and I don’t want to be arguing with him.”). There was insight into Musk's personal failings as well as his accomplishments, and a history behind why Musk has taken actions that, without this book's context, seem erratic.
This book is thorough up to 2023. It was not written recently enough to cover Musk's 2025 political activity, but it does indirectly answer questions on why Musk accepted the appointment from Trump, and why Trump wanted Musk. Musk has ideals and aspirations and will …
The opening chapter had me concerned that this was a Musk apologist piece, but the book turned out to be unbaised, even-handed, and explanatory. The author spent time not only with Musk, but with the people around Musk (including ex-partners - both business and romantic), his tweets (and theirs), and even delving into Musk's news interviews (“Why is Elon doing these interviews?”....“He wants to do them,” Eberhard replied, “and I don’t want to be arguing with him.”). There was insight into Musk's personal failings as well as his accomplishments, and a history behind why Musk has taken actions that, without this book's context, seem erratic.
This book is thorough up to 2023. It was not written recently enough to cover Musk's 2025 political activity, but it does indirectly answer questions on why Musk accepted the appointment from Trump, and why Trump wanted Musk. Musk has ideals and aspirations and will do anything to achieve it. Trump wants an earth-shaker who takes big risks and can create a splash. That, and Musk going down some conspiracy rabbitholes (including some of Robert F. Kennedy's), was enough for them to overlook their misgivings about each other.
The book is a pleasant read by an excellent biographer, some of my favorite passages:
Like many of Musk’s revisions, it was both correct and costly.
“I am who I am,” he said at one point, which was not actually reassuring to any of his listeners, who somehow hoped otherwise.
This did not, of course, align with his professed fealty to free speech, but Musk’s anger takes on a moral righteousness that can brush away inconsistencies.