"More generally, I made an effort to leave out things that weren't relevant to the main narrative themes of the book, namely that there were two sides to Steve Jobs: the romantic, poetic, countercultural rebel on one side, and the serious businessperson on the other"

In this quote, Walter Isaacson discusses his method to blogging about Steve Jobs, emphasizing the purposeful choices he made to concentrate on the most significant elements of Jobs' life and character that line up with the main styles of the book. Isaacson highlights the duality in Jobs' personality and life journey, suggesting that there were 2 contrasting yet complementary aspects to him: the "romantic, poetic, countercultural rebel" and the "major business owner."

The phrase "romantic, poetic, countercultural rebel" describes Jobs' unconventional thinking, imagination, and his propensity to challenge established standards. This side of Jobs is characterized by his visionary ideas, enthusiasm for style and aesthetics, and his function in driving cultural and technological transformations. It highlights his affinity for breaking away from the status quo and thinking in the power of development to transform the world. This element of Jobs made him a cultural icon, inspiring a generation to believe differently and to pursue work with enthusiasm and imagination.

In contrast, the "major business owner" side of Jobs refers to his practical, tactical, and sometimes, demanding nature in the business world. This side reveals his focus on business performance, market methods, and functional efficiencies to ensure Apple's business success. Isaacson acknowledges Jobs' ability to browse the business world, making hard decisions that sometimes involved severe criticisms or intense managerial designs to accomplish his vision.

By focusing on these 2 sides of Jobs, Isaacson aims to provide a nuanced representation that catches the complexity of his subject. The dual focus also enriches the reader's understanding of how Jobs had the ability to wed creative sensibility with service acumen to steer Apple to become one of the most innovative and effective business of its time. Isaacson's selective storytelling creates a coherent narrative that lines up with his exploration of these double themes, making his bio both informative and interesting.