A new book by veteran tech reporters offers an insight into the life of Steve Jobs, including revelations that Tim Cook offered to share part of his liver to save Jobs’ life and how Jobs considered buying Yahoo!, and more.
The book Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader by veteran reporters Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli includes interviews with Tim Cook, Jony Ive, Eddy Cue, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell Jobs.
In the new book, due out 24 March, it is revealed that Tim Cook once offered Jobs a portion of his liver to save his life.
In an excerpt from the book published in Fast Company Cook learned that he and Jobs had shared the same rare blood type and researched the feasibility of a transplant, but Jobs refused.
“’Somebody that’s selfish,’ Cook continues, ‘doesn’t reply like that. I mean, here’s a guy, he’s dying, he’s very close to death because of his liver issue, and here’s someone healthy offering a way out. I said, “Steve, I’m perfectly healthy, I’ve been checked out. Here’s the medical report. I can do this and I’m not putting myself at risk, I’ll be fine.” And he doesn’t think about it. It was not, “Are you sure you want to do this?” It was not, “I’ll think about it.” It was not, “Oh, the condition I’m in . . .” It was, “No, I’m not doing that!” He kind of popped up in bed and said that. And this was during a time when things were just terrible. Steve only yelled at me four or five times during the 13 years I knew him, and this was one of them.’”
The book will also reveal that Jobs hatched a secret plan to acquire Yahoo! in a stunning move that would have given Apple a foothold in the burgeoning internet search business.
The book also reveals that Jobs, on returning to Apple in 1997, was immediately hostile to the idea of Apple building a TV set. An entire prototype with an LCD screen and TV and FM tuners was presented to Jobs.
An excerpt from the book reads:
“Steve killed both of Jony’s pet projects. The eMate disappeared along with all other traces of the Newton (save a few key patents), and the 20th Anniversary bit the dust after selling just 12,000 units. The products didn’t fit into his quadrants. Besides, he told me one day, ‘I just don’t like television. Apple will never make a TV again.’ This was Jony’s introduction to Steve’s coldhearted decision-making.”
Steve Jobs reflection image via Shutterstock
