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...?

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

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