Shoe Dog

A sanitized retrospective on the days before Nike was Nike.In 1962, Phil Knight is 24 years old, an MBA living in his parents' house again, searching for a direction for his life. While on a run, he returns to an idea he had in college: importing Japanese track and field shoes and selling them in America. Knight heads to Japan and a meeting with the Onitsuka shoe company, makers of the Tiger flat--a term Knight never explains. Through luck and moxie, he forms a partnership with Onitsuka and names his company Blue Ribbon Sports. With the help of dedicated employees, over the next 10 years Blue Ribbon sells more and more shoes, held back only by bankers and Onitsuka itself. Knight is personally successful, too, falling in love, getting married and having a child. When Blue Ribbon is renamed Nike, it is a turning point that concludes the memoir. A final chapter covers the next eight years, detailing some of Nike's successes and setbacks. This memoir is more focused on 1960s accounting practices and interpersonal dynamics than the shoes--and what else would you want to read about when it comes to Nike? Only for the most dedicated fans of the company. (Memoir. 12-16)

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November 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-Born in Oregon, the home state of many legendary runners, Nike founder Knight began running in high school and never stopped. In the late 1950s, he graduated and ran in college for famed track coach Bill Bowerman. Afterwards, his future was not so certain. This book, a young reader's edition of Knight's autobiography, is an eye-opening look into the story of Knight before his multibillion dollar company. His tenacity is inspiring and will be a valuable lesson for young entrepreneurs. However, for those interested in Nike or about designing and marketing shoes, this is not for them. Knight's stern relationship with his early employees is emphasized and takes up large portions of the narrative. While labor law controversies are touched on briefly, little attention is given to any missteps and abuse on Nike's part. VERDICT Purchase for libraries where biographies are popular or in areas with a large student athlete population.-Morgan Brickey, Arlington Public Library, TX

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