Will the Official Steve Jobs Biography Tell All?

Steve Jobs is notoriously private, but that’s slated to change. Jobs will work with biographer Walter Isaacson to publish an in-depth examination of the Apple founder’s life, according to reports. But given Jobs’ history of skirting issues and scoffing at previous biographies, will this official biography be a comprehensive tell-all, or a fluff piece from a marketing machine?

Much has been written about Jobs in the past, including “iCon: Steve Jobs, the Greatest Second Act in the History of Business” and “The Second Coming of Steve Jobs.” You may also remember the premature publication of Jobs’ obituary, which surfaced during highly publicized health concerns.

So what changed Jobs’ mind? Perhaps it’s the writer’s resume: Isaacson has written biographies of Einstein and Benjamin Franklin, as well as a collection of essays about “great leaders” and “creative thinkers” — fitting for an innovative tech magnate not necessarily known for his humility.

The blogosphere has reacted cynically to the announcement. In a rather passive-aggressive headline, TG Daily wrote, “Jobs Relents and Authorizes Biography” (emphasis mine). Another blog suggested the book would be “tightly controlled.” Most reporters also mention the book’s timing and suggest Jobs’ recent bout with mortality has pushed him to record his legacy.

Either way, the book is bound to be a success — especially as an iBook.