Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight. 

4/5 rating. 270 pages.

Book #64 of 2020. Read September 16, 2020.

This is a great book about Nike’s creation and the fight to keep Phil’s dream alive. (I got the Young Reader’s Edition because I couldn’t say no to the deal, but I would definitely recommend either this version or the normal version wholeheartedly!)

This is Phil’s autobiography about the start of Nike. The book begins with him as a fresh graduate who is somewhat lost in the sense of his future – apart from a small dream lurking in his head about starting a shoe company with imports from other countries. Though Nike, as just about all large companies is a favorite for people to bash as just another monolith who doesn’t care about its people or anything but profits, I think this book shows Phil’s drive and absolute love for the sport of running and shoes in particular.

As Phil says:

“So that morning in 1962 I told myself: Let everyone else call your idea crazy…just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where ‘there’ is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.”

All great companies start with a spark and a passion behind it. Some might argue that Nike has lost its way, but I think reading this book you will appreciate what Phil’s ideas about the company are and see that it still strives to push for its people: both customers and employees.

“But deep down I was searching for something else, something more. I had an aching sense that our time is short, shorter than we ever know, short as a morning run, and I wanted mine to be meaningful. And purposeful. And creative. And important. Above all…different. I wanted to leave a mark on the world.”

Isn’t this what we all strive for? I think it’s certainly apparent that Phil has done that. I hope that we are all able to make a fraction of the impact he has made.

I loved this book, it’s definitely worth a read!

Quotes:

“Why is it always so hard to get started?”

“He was easy to talk to, and easy not to talk to – equally important qualities in a friend. Essential in a travel companion.”

“Belief, I decided. Belief is irresistible.”

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.“

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