The History Book Club discussion

This thread focuses on the life and entrepreneurial successes of Philip Knight and NIKE and their blazing trail in the sporting equipment and footwear space.

Shoedog

by Phil Knight (no photo)

Synopsis:

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.

Phil Knight's Net Worth Jumps $1.9 Billion After Announcement Of Nike Deal With Amazon

Kate Vinton , FORBES STAFF

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevint...

Source: Forbes

Jerry Jones wears custom gold shoes, a gift from Phil Knight

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000...

Source: NFL.com

Shoe Dog sounds awesome! Thanks for posting that, Bentley.

by Phil Knight (no photo)

It is absolutely outstanding - I was very surprised what a good memoir it was. One of the best business ones that I have read and funny too.

Swoosh: The Unauthorized Story of Nike and the Men who Played There

by J.B. Strasser (no photo)

Synopsis:

The unauthorized national-bestselling sensation revealing the absorbing story of the rise, fall, and recovery of Nike, by a former employee and a Los Angeles Times reporter.

I have heard Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE is excellent and it has been on my tbr list.

It was actually a great memoir Eileen. You should read it - it was also quite humorous too,

by Phil Knight (no photo)

Please note that we add the bookcover, the word by, the author's photo if available, and then the author's link. If the author's photo is not available - we add (no photo) at the end.

I really loved this book. One of my favorites. Iirc it delivered a great positive spirit, and great storytelling.

I can just picture the wheelchair blocking the door - I howled at their antics.

Bentley wrote: "It was actually a great memoir Eileen. You should read it - it was also quite humorous too,"

I finished it a few weeks ago, and I agree, Bentley. A great memoir as well as a great business book. It is amazing how they were on the brink of disaster for nearly 2 decades, and Knight's drive and vision somehow pushed them through it.

I've been sharing anecdotes from the book with my students. The contrast between the way they operated back then and the way they work today, particularly financially, is striking. But what is really amazing is that the company culture remains as Knight envisioned it.

I had to pick a project to focus on in my MBA program, so I decided to focus on Nike and the footwear industry, which I am finding more and more interesting with every day I research it.

by Phil Knight

It was a terrific book - good choice for your MBA program - there were many phases of Nike in its "business development" - and each phase is interesting.