In the shadow of his towering legacy at Apple, Steve Jobs embarked on a tumultuous journey of ambition and failure with his brainchild, NeXT Computer. "Steve Jobs & the Next Big Thing" by Randall E. Stross captures this often overlooked chapter in the tech mogul's life with piercing insight and compelling narrative depth. After his departure from Apple in 1985, Jobs poured his visionary zeal—and considerable financial resources—into NeXT, aiming to once again revolutionize the computing world. Yet, despite its groundbreaking technology, NeXT floundered, its products never achieving the commercial success Jobs had envisioned. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Stross charts the rise and fall of NeXT, offering a rare glimpse into the lesser-known struggles of one of the technology world's most enigmatic figures. This narrative is not just the tale of a company's rise and fall; it is a profound exploration of Steve Jobs's character during his years in the wilderness. The lessons he learned from NeXT's failure—about management, perseverance, and the importance of aligning innovation with market needs—would eventually pave the way for his triumphant return to Apple and the subsequent tech revolutions he would lead. Stross's book serves as a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most profound lessons are learned in defeat. "Steve Jobs & the Next Big Thing" is an essential read for anyone interested in the complexities of innovation, the volatile nature of the tech industry, and the indomitable spirit of a man who refused to be defined by his failures.