Details Condition: BRAND NEW Format: Paperback ISBN: 9780753555644 Publisher: Virgin Books Age Range: Adult Overview Discover the extraordinary story behind one of the most audacious entrepreneurs of our age. This definitive biography traces Elon Musk's journey from a bullied childhood in apartheid-era South Africa to the helm of PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. Written with unprecedented access to Musk himself, his family, friends, and colleagues, this paperback biography blends meticulous reporting with gripping narrative to explain how one man's relentless drive is reshaping transport, energy, and space exploration for the whole planet. About the Book Ashlee Vance's biography of Elon Musk is widely regarded as the definitive account of the entrepreneur's rise from a difficult South African childhood to becoming one of the most influential business figures of the twenty-first century. Drawing on more than three hundred hours of interviews with Musk, along with conversations with his family, friends, and colleagues, Vance charts Musk's early ventures, including Zip2 and PayPal, before diving deep into the founding and near-collapse of both Tesla and SpaceX. The book explores Musk's relentless, sometimes controversial management style, his personal life and relationships, and the enormous financial and emotional risks he took to keep his companies alive. Readers get an unflinching look at the sleepless nights, boardroom battles, and engineering breakthroughs that defined the launch of reusable rockets and mass-market electric vehicles. Vance doesn't shy away from Musk's contradictions — a visionary capable of inspiring intense loyalty, yet a demanding boss whose standards have driven away many employees. The narrative captures the tension between Musk's grand ambitions to colonise Mars and save the planet from climate catastrophe, and the everyday grind of manufacturing cars and building rockets. This is a book about obsession, risk, and the price of changing the world, offering essential context for anyone following the ongoing sagas of Tesla and SpaceX today. Definitive, meticulously researched biography with unprecedented access to Musk Engaging narrative style that reads like a business thriller Essential background for understanding Tesla, SpaceX, and modern tech entrepreneurship Brand new paperback copy, perfect for gifting or collecting Ideal for fans of Steve Jobs biographies and Silicon Valley non-fiction About the Author Ashlee Vance is an acclaimed American journalist, writer, and filmmaker, best known for this biography of Elon Musk. He wrote for The Register before moving to The New York Times and then Bloomberg Businessweek, where he covered technology, space exploration, and Silicon Valley culture extensively. Vance is also the author of Geek Silicon Valley and When the Heavens Went on Sale. His deep sourcing and narrative flair have made him one of the most respected chroniclers of the modern tech industry. Why You'll Love This Biography Packed with insider detail and page-turning drama, this book brings Elon Musk's extraordinary rise vividly to life. A must-read for entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the people reshaping our future. Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; this is the UK edition with UK ISBN as listed.