If you look closely, you see that the cover of “Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs” by Yukari Iwatani Kane (Harper Business, New York, 2014, 371 pages) features the extended shadow of Apple Inc.’s distinctive logo.

That shadow has long covered American technical innovation, ever since Apple was founded in Cupertino, California, in 1976. It has since redefined personal tech with products like the Macintosh, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad.

The company’s reputation for developing the “next big thing” is tied inextricably with the distinctive manner of its genius co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs.

Apple’s rise has been chronicled by many books, including Steven Levy’s “Insanely Great” and, of course, Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography “Steve Jobs.”

On Oct. 5, 2011, Jobs died and many people wondered what Apple would be like without him. That is the question that veteran tech writer Kane tries to answer with “Haunted Empire.” The result is a gripping, eye-opening survey of the post-Jobs Apple that proved to be controversial and divisive.

The biggest reason for that is that Kane takes an almost relentlessly critical position regarding Apple’s actions. “Haunted Empire” becomes the dark reflection of Isaacson’s “Steve Jobs.”

Readers will learn many things on how Apple does business that will probably shock them; but at the same point, Kane engages in a great amount of speculation that will surprise Apple fans.

“The truth is, Apple used to be exceptional,” Kane writes. “Not necessarily in its behavior, which was often predatory. But certainly in its ability to inspire. Those days are waning.”

Cook grilled

“Haunted Empire” is basically broken down into three main points of discussion. A great deal of attention is focused on Jobs’ handpicked successor, the supply-chain expert CEO Tim Cook. While it is clear that Cook is an intelligent, driven man, he is not Jobs and Kane doesn’t let you forget it. Many of Apple’s failures after Jobs death—Siri and Apple Maps—are blamed on Cook and his management style. Kane makes a convincing argument that Cook made some missteps and simply does not have the charisma or the vision that Jobs had.

But perhaps Kane demonizes Cook too much.

Also an interesting aspect covered by “Haunted Empire” is Apple’s relationship with its Chinese suppliers, Foxconn in particular. Readers will discover the extent of Apple’s reliance on these Chinese companies, meet some of its countless, previously faceless workers, and be immersed in the many societal and labor issues that bedevil these Asian corporations.

Patent rows

But the book’s most fascinating part is Kane’s detailed, substantial coverage of Apple’s legal battle with Korean company Samsung, otherwise known as iPhone vs Galaxy Note, or, as the book says, “the patent wars.”

These passages serve as a primer into the world of technology patents, as well as a vivid retelling of the animosity between these two tech giants inside and outside the courtroom.

All in all, “Haunted Empire” is a solid read and an illuminating book about business, but Kane may have gone too far with the criticism. Everything seems Apple’s fault.

Readers will learn about the battle that Apple is fighting and how the tech industry’s brutal complexity, but the author may be interpreting a lot of the available information in a decidedly negative fashion.

Still, there is enough here to reboot your preconceived notions about Apple and its iconic founder. It is clear that nobody can ever replace Steve Jobs, try as they may. “Forgetting him was like trying to forget the sun,” Kane concludes.

“He still reigned over every hour of every day. That was his blessing, and their curse,” the author points out.

Available in paperback from National Book Store.