Eighteen months prior to writing this book, Ashlee Vance was disheartened by Elon Musk’s refusal to participate. This denial forced Vance to proceed without his input, so he interviewed around two hundred individuals. Eventually, Musk invited the author to dinner for what resembled a negotiation — he wanted the ability to add footnotes as a means of exerting some control over his biography. To Vance, Musk had always appeared like someone who profited by exploiting people’s insecurities and fears. Therefore, Vance insisted that Musk should not interfere with the book, and it stayed that way.

Vance began his exploration at SpaceX’s headquarters in California, where Musk eagerly tackled what seemed impossible, inspiring people to admire and even revere him…