Apple

The First 50 Years

By: David Pogue

Narrated by: David Pogue

Instant New York Times Bestseller

In time for Apple’s 50th anniversary, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the iconic company’s entire life story: how it was born, nearly died, was born again under Steve Jobs, and became, under CEO Tim Cook, the most valuable company in the world. The book features new facts that correct the record and illuminate its subversive culture and fresh interviews with the legendary figures who shaped Apple into what it is today.

On April 1, 1976, two scruffy twentysomethings, both named Steve, founded a startup. Their goal: To bring the revolutionary power of computers to everyone.

Over the next five decades, Apple reshaped the technology and cultural landscapes, introducing the public to breakthroughs like the mouse, laser printing, CD-ROM, WiFi, digital video, home networking, touchscreen phones, and tablets. Jobs’s obsessive eye for detail set the stage for products—Mac, iMac, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch—that married advanced technology with beauty, simplicity, and fine design.

Deeply researched, Apple: The First 50 Years includes new interviews with 150 key people who made the journey, including Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Jony Ive, and many current designers, engineers, and executives. The book busts long-held myths; goes backstage for both the titanic successes (450 million iPods, 700 million iPads, 2.2 billion iPhones) and the instructive failures (Lisa, Apple III, MobileMe); and assesses the forces that challenge Apple’s dominance as it enters its second half century.

Bursting with tales of frenetic all-nighters, engineering genius, and creative rebellion, this book is a true testament to Apple’s unique and innovative vision, and a must read for anyone whose life Apple has touched.

Fantastic history of one of the world’s most innovative companies

David Pogue, the former reviewer of Apple products for Mac world in later than New York Times, is written a thorough and even delightful history of Apple. There’s probably no one else so qualified to write this book. The pros is witty and engaging the book as well researched without feeling like an academic slog. It’s also one of the best audiobooks, I’ve listened to, with mini interspersed sound bites and audio. David Wright that this book was written because his wife had the idea for him to write this book in a dream in the middle of the night. Thank you, Natalie!

Excellent! Lots of information, stories and a look behind the scenes.

It was really well researched. The narration is great. The book is very informative and entertaining.

Great version of the printed books.

The audiobook is well narrated by the author. There’s real sound bites from actual historical events. It’s a great audiobook. I appreciate that it’s more than just a read-aloud version of the paper book. That said, it did inspire me to buy a paper copy as well.

This will, no doubt, be the go-to biography for Apple’s first 50 years. Highly recommend.

Excellent audiobook!

Comprehensive history of Apple with lots of behind the scenes stories and snippets. Fantastic reading by the author. Highly recommend!

Awesome for Apple Fans

Apple at 50 by David Pogue is a fantastic read, especially for Apple fans. It’s incredibly well researched, drawing on interviews with key figures and offering a detailed look at both the company’s successes and failures . Pogue does a great job telling Apple’s full story in a way that’s both engaging and easy to follow, without getting overly technical . If you enjoy Apple’s history and want a comprehensive, entertaining deep dive into how it became what it is today, this book is absolutely worth your time.