BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese version of the official biography of Steve Jobs went on sale in over 20 cities nationwide on Monday, coinciding with the book's global debut, which reveals the life of Apple's co-founder to readers less than three weeks after his death.
The Chinese version is a cover-to-cover translation of the authorized biography "Steve Jobs" written by Walter Isaacson, who conducted more than 40 interviews with the business icon, with some occurring within weeks of his death on Oct. 5, according to China Citic Press, the book's publisher.
The book's release attracted early-morning crowds at bookstores in Beijing and Shanghai, in addition to a flood of pre-orders on online bookstores, according to the publisher.
In the Beijing Books Building, a leading bookstore in the city, one section of the store has been specifically allocated for the book's debut.
Liu Jianle, who stood in line for 40 minutes to buy the book, said he wanted to buy the biography because he worships the famous entrepreneur.
"I think he is a talent. He made profound changes to the world, as well as tremendous contributions to the electronics industry," Liu said.
Wang Xiaochuan, CTO of Sohu, a major web portal in China, said he purchased 500 copies of the book for his colleagues at the Chinese IT company, hoping they can learn from it.
Most Chinese readers want to know how Jobs regained his control over Apple and how he lived during his last days, according to a poll on Sina Weibo, a popular microblogging service in China.
"I am curious about Jobs' entrepreneurship. I want to figure out exactly how Jobs established Apple and made it a business miracle. I think I can learn a lot," said a reader named Jin Zhao.
The translation of the biography began in August after the publisher launched a worldwide recruitment drive for translators, according to China Citic Press.
Wei Qun spent a whole month translating the biography with three other translators. She said the book faithfully recorded the life of Steve Jobs and will "enchant readers with its plain style."
"I chose to translate the biography of Steve Jobs, rather than other well-known people, because he was an esteemed genius who made products that touched people's souls," Wei said.
Steve Jobs is widely respected and admired in China for his innovations, while his products are considered fashion symbols by young people.
Before the book debuted, billboards showing the cover of the biography had already been set up in bookstores, shopping malls and bus stops in Beijing.
On Oct. 6, millions of Chinese expressed their grief and condolences over Jobs' death just hours after Apple informed the public. Apple fans across the country went to Apple stores and placed flowers, photos of Jobs, candles and even apples outside the stores to pay tribute to the iconic figure.
