Name: Vojtech's review of Shoe Dog by Philip H. Knight
Item: Shoe Dog
Rating: 5
Author: Vojtech

Philip H. Knight

In this candid and riveting memoir, for the first time ever, Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight shares the inside story of the company’s early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world’s most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands. In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the trunk of his lime green Plymouth Valiant, Knight grossed $8,000 his first year. Today, Nike’s annual sales top $30 billion. In an age of startups, Nike is the ne plus ultra of all startups, and the swoosh has become a revolutionary, globe-spanning icon, one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable symbols in the world today. But Knight, the man behind the swoosh, has always remained a mystery. Now, for the first time, in a memoir that is candid, humble, gutsy, and wry, he tells his story, beginning with his crossroads moment. At 24, after backpacking around the world, he decided to take the unconventional path, to start his own business—a business that would be dynamic, different. Knight details the many risks and daunting setbacks that stood between him and his dream—along with his early triumphs. Above all, he recalls the formative relationships with his first partners and employees, a ragtag group of misfits and seekers who became a tight-knit band of brothers. Together, harnessing the transcendent power of a shared mission, and a deep belief in the spirit of sport, they built a brand that changed everything.

A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Shoe Dog

Not until I left for Japan, not until I kissed my fiancée good-bye and promised to write as soon as I got there, did the full reality, with all its dimensions and contours, hit me. I had more than a fiancée, a lover, a friend. I had a partner. In the past I'd told myself Bowerman was my partner, and to some extent Johnson. But this thing with Penny was unique, unprecedented. This alliance was life-altering. It still didn't make me nervous, it just made me more mindful. Id never before said good-bye to a true partner, and it felt massively different. Imagine that, I thought. The single easiest way to find out how you feel about someone. Say goodbye.

Phil Knight

Als junger, abenteuerlustiger Business-School-Absolvent auf der Suche nach einer Herausforderung lieh Phil Knight sich von seinem Vater 50 Dollar und gründete eine Firma mit einer klaren Mission: qualitativ hochwertige, aber preiswerte Laufschuhe aus Japan importieren. In jenem ersten Jahr, 1963, verkaufte Knight Laufschuhe aus dem Kofferraum seines Plymouth Valiant heraus und erzielte einen Umsatz von 8000 Dollar. Heute liegen die Jahresumsätze von Nike bei über 30 Milliarden Dollar. In unserem Zeitalter der Start-ups hat sich Knights Firma Nike als Maßstab aller Dinge etabliert und sein "Swoosh" ist längst mehr als nur ein Logo. Es ist ein Symbol von Geschmeidigkeit und Größe, eines der wenigen Icons, die in jedem Winkel unseres Erdballs sofort wiedererkannt werden. Aber Knight selbst, der Mann hinter dem Swoosh, ist immer ein Geheimnis geblieben. Jetzt erzählt er endlich seine Geschichte. Seine Memoiren sind überraschend, bescheiden, ungeschönt, humorvoll und handwerklich meisterhaft. Den Anfang markiert eine klassische Situation am Scheideweg. Der 24-jährige Knight bereist als Rucksacktourist Asien, Europa und Afrika, ihn bewegen die ganz großen philosophischen Fragen des Lebens. Und er entscheidet sich für einen unkonventionellen Lebensweg. Anstatt für ein großes etabliertes Unternehmen zu arbeiten, beschließt er, etwas ganz Eigenes zu schaffen – etwas, das neu, dynamisch und anders ist. En détail beschreibt Knight die vielen unberechenbaren Risiken, mit denen er sich auf seinem Weg konfrontiert sah, die niederschmetternden Rückschläge, die skrupellosen Konkurrenten, die zahllosen Zweifler und Widersacher, die abweisenden Banker, die etlichen Male, wo er knapp einer Katastrophe entging, ebenso wie seine vielen triumphalen Erfolge.

Die offizielle Biografie des NIKE-Gründers

Piet Terheyden

Vojtech

loved the personal voice of phil, but found out that this was ghostwritten and still contemplating the ethics and personal opinion on such.

Xin Ma

Steve

It's the second biography/memoir written or related to the founders of a first tier multinational company, the first one was Steve Jobs by Walter. 

It's a book that I found myself could not literally stop reading once started. There's so much uncovered about how tiring and challenging starting up a company could be back to 60, 70s, when sport shoe market was dominated by Adidas and Puma.

When we talk about Nike these day, we are looking at basketball, football, but it all started as a simple-yet-not-that-simple distributer of Onitsuka Tiger in US, so it had a very historical relationship with runners, which jogging was not considered as a popular sports at all during that time. 

I just can't resist to put down the book and go for some jogging, if I have done reading of the day. 

It's because that historical relation with running, and deep connection with runners in mind when designing shoes, that passion, that motivation and urge to get better at each run - somehow it proves that American dream, or to be more generic, the dream of having a crazy idea and make it real, still lives among us. It all starts with the first step.

Amazing story of Nike and all the people involved in its journey.

Tharun

In this instant and tenacious New York Times bestseller, Nike founder and board chairman Phil Knight “offers a rare and revealing look at the notoriously media-shy man behind the swoosh” (Booklist, starred review), illuminating his company’s early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world’s most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands. Bill Gates named Shoe Dog one of his five favorite books of 2016 and called it “an amazing tale, a refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like. It’s a messy, perilous, and chaotic journey, riddled with mistakes, endless struggles, and sacrifice. Phil Knight opens up in ways few CEOs are willing to do.” Fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed fifty dollars from his father and launched a company with one simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the trunk of his car in 1963, Knight grossed eight thousand dollars that first year. Today, Nike’s annual sales top $30 billion. In this age of start-ups, Knight’s Nike is the gold standard, and its swoosh is one of the few icons instantly recognized in every corner of the world. But Knight, the man behind the swoosh, has always been a mystery. In Shoe Dog, he tells his story at last. At twenty-four, Knight decides that rather than work for a big corporation, he will create something all his own, new, dynamic, different. He details the many risks he encountered, the crushing setbacks, the ruthless competitors and hostile bankers—as well as his many thrilling triumphs. Above all, he recalls the relationships that formed the heart and soul of Nike, with his former track coach, the irascible and charismatic Bill Bowerman, and with his first employees, a ragtag group of misfits and savants who quickly became a band of swoosh-crazed brothers. Together, harnessing the electrifying power of a bold vision and a shared belief in the transformative power of sports, they created a brand—and a culture—that changed everything.

Great memoir, enjoyed particularly the parts about travelling to and from Japan and the relationships that made early Nike possible.

Vishwa

Bouke van der Bijl

An incredible memoir about the founding and ride of NIKE written by its founder Phil Knight. It describes the struggle of Mr. Knight to work with suppliers, be there for his children, and to find meaning in his life. Definitely recommend this to anyone with aspirations.

Daniel Toke Hansen

Every projects starts small and evolves slowly in different directions over time. This startup story started as a, at the time, crazy idea but is still going strong. It's a fascinating adventure and while reading it I had to remind myself about the fact that it's from a time I know very little of. It feels like a silicon Valley startup adventure set in the new Millinium when it in fact starts in 1962. 
If you liked Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull i think you would like this book as well. If could get two people together to talk about their experiences it would these two ;-)

Very inspiring and a testimony to always pursue your dream and what you belive in.

Cristian Garcia

A veces me sucede que tomo un libro y no puedo dejarlo hasta que lo termine. Éste es el caso.
Shoe Dog es un libro tremendo, es trepidate (como una buena novela), muy divertido y particularmente lleno de insights sobre los negocios. Phil "Buck" Knight es un tipo extremadamente instruido. No sólo es un MBA, sino que ha recorrido y explorado el mundo no sólo en términos empresariales sino que culturales. Esto le da al libro varios matices; en lo particular disfruté mucho las enseñanzas del Japón (desde cómo se llevan a cabo los negocios hasta los preceptos del budismo) y todo el aspecto legal y contable de cómo montar una empresa como Nike.

Así mismo, empatice con la vuelta al mundo de Knight. No sabía que hemos estado en tantos lugares similares que nos marcaron profundamente (el acrópolis y Varanasi) y aún así seguimos con ganas de ver más.

Me hubiese encantado que el libro fuese como" WASP vol 1" (lo entenderás cuando leas el libro), y ahora Knight -en el volumen 2- contase lo que ha sucedido con Nike desde 1980 a la actualidad. 

El libro deja de profundizar a fines de los 70 y me quedé con ganas de saber cómo firmaron a Jordan o cómo se enfrentaron a la Internet cuando apareció. Aún así, Shoe Dog es un libro para devorar en un par de días. El primer y único libro relatado en primera persona por el mítico creador de Nike.

Keven Wang

I could not finish it. Too much detail Even though I am a fan of Nike

Martin

It was fun to hear the names of classic Nike shoes we know today, and the origin of them. The middle of the book kind of hit a lull, but it was also a defining point of Nike's history. Overall, good read! 

Mitul Shah

Simao Freitas

Incredible. Such an inspirational book written in the most wonderful way. This is a real 5 star

poprika

Amazing story, really like Buck's mentality, i will enjoy my nikes even more from now on :)

Mudita

** spoiler alert **
           I wasn't really enjoying the first half of the book - again, Phil Knight just seemed so unrelatable (my issue with most biographies of successful people). He went to some incredibly prestigious colleges, received capital from his father for his Crazy Idea, collaborated with a legendary coach from the get-go, and was still always trying to paint himself as some sort of underdog or misfit. It made me roll my eyes (I especially did not like his management style, really felt for Jeff Johnson who was perhaps my favourite in the book).

However, towards the end of the book, I did come to appreciate his tenacity, his ambition, the massive obstacles (loved the American Selling Price situation haha), and the spirit with which they built Nike. Cool stuff.

Anyway, other than the actual story, I loved how it was written. Very engaging, and very honest.

Alexandra Sklar

One of my new favorite biographies and business books. It is incredible what he has built. Besides being a visionary, I had no idea he was such an intellectual, traveler, and writer. Can't help but think that much of the success of Nike can be traced back to his mom buying the first pair of his sneakers in the living room, which convinced his dad to give him an initial investment. It did gloss over some of the more strenuous times in the brand, I thought there could have been more detail or story there. Will read again.

Neil Murray

The honesty, the details and the transparency make this the best business autobiographies and one of the best autobiographies full stop, that I’ve ever read. 

I can highly recommend the audible version.

'A refreshingly honest reminder of what the path to business success really looks like ... It's an amazing tale' Bill Gates 'The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog, by Nike's Phil Knight. Phil is a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller' Warren Buffett In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the boot of his Plymouth, Knight grossed $8000 in his first year. Today, Nike's annual sales top $30 billion. In an age of start-ups, Nike is the ne plus ultra of all start-ups, and the swoosh has become a revolutionary, globe-spanning icon, one of the most ubiquitous and recognisable symbols in the world today. But Knight, the man behind the swoosh, has always remained a mystery. Now, for the first time, he tells his story. Candid, humble, wry and gutsy, he begins with his crossroads moment when at 24 he decided to start his own business. He details the many risks and daunting setbacks that stood between him and his dream - along with his early triumphs. Above all, he recalls how his first band of partners and employees soon became a tight-knit band of brothers. Together, harnessing the transcendent power of a shared mission, and a deep belief in the spirit of sport, they built a brand that changed everything. A memoir rich with insight, humour and hard-won wisdom, this book is also studded with lessons - about building something from scratch, overcoming adversity, and ultimately leaving your mark on the world.

A very comprehensive memoir of one of the most important figures in sporting goods. Phil is a incredible writer with witty humor and all around passion for what he does/did.

Jonas Derz

A very comprehensive memoir of one of the most important figures in sporting goods. Phil is a incredible writer with witty humor and all around passion for what he does/did.

Loved the book! 

Colin

Todd Luallen

Knight writes quite well for an accountant/shoe-salesman. But of course he is much more than that as is evident from his memoir. The book is engaging and has a decent sense of humility. Knight spends a decent amount of time showcasing his insecurities and his failures, and I think this made the book much more enjoyable. 

For those that love entrepreneurial books, or perhaps for those that love NIKE, this book will likely appeal. Some of the details seemed to drag, but overall it tracked along at a good pace. The bulk of the book chronicles Knight from his college years through the NIKE IPO in 1980. The final chapter of the book deals with the next three decades in very quick order, only touching on the key points and struggles. Knight does address the death of his son Matthew, which was quite touching.

Re De

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's exciting to understand the true picture of what it takes to build a company, with so many things not in Phil Knight & Nike's favor - banks, government problems, early problems with key suppliers.

Wouter ter Keurs

Één van de best geschreven autobiografieën die ik ooit las. Als dat Nike niets wordt, kan meneer Knight altijd nog schrijver worden.

"Phil Knight opens up about how he went from being a track star at an Oregon high school to the founder of Nike"--

Young Readers Edition

H. Kamran

Phil Knight is the founder of Nike. NIke wasn't always called Nike, it was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports. It was founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. Onitsuka was the original supplier. But when Onitsuka raised the prices, and killed their non-competitive deal with Blue Ribbon, Blue Ribbon cut them off and made their own shoe. After making their own shoe, they renamed the company to Nike, after the Greek god of victory. Learn how Nike was founded, in Shoe Dog. Available at a library near you.

This is a great book! I highly recommend this or the normal version!

Vince Nguyen

Wonderful telling of Nike’s origin.. Suspenseful pacing, could not put the book down.. as if you’re are in the memories of Phil himself..

Sophie Hutchings

Amazing insight into a true entrepreneurs journey. I loved this book, the way Phil Knight wrote his story was fun and really engaging. 

Recommend by my partner who reads a lot of business based books I was expecting it to be a bit dry but I was so wrong. If you are interested in a detailed look into a start up or if you are a fan of Nike this is a must read for any creative or business minded person.

Heini Zachariassen

Loved it, just show that - as always - things don't really happen in a straight line. 

Vojtech &
Shoe Dog by Philip H. Knight

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