Part 2/12:
The idea to write a biography about Elon Musk came through a mutual acquaintance, Antonio Gracias, who served on Musk's board. Isaacson was already known for his insightful profiles, having recently completed a book on Jennifer Doudna and her groundbreaking CRISPR technology. When Gracias connected Isaacson with Musk, the author was keen to undertake an ambitious project—one that involved not just interviews but shadowing Musk for two to two and a half years. Isaacson insisted on full access, with Musk agreeing to an unrestricted portrayal, even allowing the biographer to interview Musk's adversaries, family, and acquaintances without censorship.