[waterside81]

This was fascinating. Perhaps what's most interesting is how real Jobs seems. I mean, these emails read like some of the ones that I've sent in negotiations. With all the hoopla around him, it's easy to forget sometimes that Jobs was just a normal guy.

[revelation]

If you enjoy that kind of thing, you will love the email conversations in the federal lawsuit on no poaching agreements:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/23/3906374/email-exhibits-in-...

(sorry, couldn't find original documents)

[brown9-2]

I like the last one where Jobs threatens to use it's patent portfolio against Palm if they do not work out a suitable "do not cold call" agreement.

[xentronium]

This is pure gold, shows how sausage is made in the higher tiers.

[matt_brushlabs]

If Jobs operates even peripherally like a typical executive -- or even the partner of a consulting firm -- he has both an extremely razor-sharp assistant working on copy for emails like this AND a bevy of beach-combing young professionals culling research to build this sort of correspondence.

Then he probably sprinkles in some of his own language and gets to it. Shablamo, profit.

[dubcanada]

He was not really a typical executive. My guess is he probably wrote these emails himself.

[larrys]

Jobs most certainly sent the emails but we don't know who else was involved in drafting, wording, the tone, or strategy.

[greyboy]

I agree - that didn't seem like the Jobs-esque writing I'm used to.

[dakrisht]

Completely agreeing with you guys here and it is most likely the case.

Eddie Cue was probably sitting right next to Jobs and perhaps even legal counsel would have looked at these emails. Consider the significance of a publishing deal like this one, it is in Apple's best interest (and the interest of the shareholders) to strike a deal and do business.

Great post, it's always an interesting learning experience to read how deals between giants are done. Murdoch held his own but Jobs proved victories; Jobs did make a few good points by saying he though $16 eBooks would be priced too high, but in terms of iPad eBook revolution - I'd say the Kindle is the eBook leader in the space today and for a while...?

[microtherion]

“they won’t be sad” sounded like quintessential Jobs.

[dakrisht]

Ha. That was definitely the man himself.

[brown9-2]

Well, most of the writing the public has seen from him in the past is not executive-to-executive emails.

[rednukleus]

Good and bad, there was very little that was normal about Steve Jobs.