Kicks

In his first book, journalist Smith follows his fascination, sprinting through the evolution of the planet's hippest, most popular footwear, a history that goes way beyond sports and into the streets of the youth culture.The tale begins with inventor Charles Goodyear, whose innovations and patents on rubber laid the basis for all things sneaker to come. Combine these innovations with a demand for sports footwear, and an industry was born. From the expansion of soccer and rugby, men's and women's tennis, the rebirth of the Olympic games, and the 1891 invention of basketball, the turn-of-the-20th-century sports explosion created an increasing proliferation of athletes--along with thousands of feet needing protection. As the author demonstrates, with the professionalization of sports through the coming decades and events like the 1960s creation of jogging as a pastime, the demand for sneakers continued to grow--and it hasn't lost any momentum in the new millennium. The demand for sneakers today often boils down to status ("some people will wait in line for days to get kicks no one else has") rather than utility, and Smith details how ingenious media campaigns such as Spike Lee's Mars Blackmon/Michael Jordan ads spawned an all-new fashion boom beginning in 1988, with Nike selling millions of pairs of Air Jordan sneakers for their creative efforts. Today, with sneakers dominating the streets on the feet of the youth, the author explains that this universal footwear has become the latest symbol of globalization. With that symbolism, new controversies abound. Aside from sneaker manufacturers still battling to overcome stigmas of sweatshop conditions and poverty wages, they walk a fine line in marketing their wares as the popularity of gangster fashion grows in the street culture.A cornucopia of factoids and fun asides bursting with a wealth of in-depth information on every aspect of sneakers, from their birth to their current and continuing explosive popularity.

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May 15, 2018

Journalist Smith examines the history of sneakers in the United States, from the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear to modern-day designer models. As organized sports and leisure activities gained in popularity in the early 20th century, sneakers became the shoes of choice for athletes. Smith recounts the origins of several shoe companies, including how the acrimonious split of the Dassler family business led to the formation of Adidas and Puma. Nike arose from coach Bill Bowerman's continuous redesign of shoes for his University of Oregon track team. Vans focused on the then-niche skateboarding market, while Reebok designed shoes for women during the 1980s aerobic fitness movement. Smith illustrates how athletes, such as Chuck Taylor and Michael Jordan, have been a driving force in marketing and best sellers. Beyond sports, Smith notes how sneaker fashion has become embedded in American culture, specifically highlighting its role in hip-hop style. The conclusion briefly addresses problematic areas of the industry, including sweatshop labor. VERDICT An entertaining and casual read blending pop culture and sports, though the treatment of sweatshop conditions could have been more thorough.--Chris Wilkes, Tazewell Cty. P.L., VA

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2018
Journalist Smith, a contributor to Esquire and Tucson Weekly, expounds on the sneaker as a cultural, economic, and political symbol in modern history. Tracing the journey and evolution of the sneaker with a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses sports, business, and fashion, Smith illustrates how the sneaker rose to its sensational commodity status today. He covers familiar brands and stars?Nike, Adidas, Michael Jordan?and writes in detail about the business practices and subcultures that revolve around the product. No background (or interest, even) in footwear is required to enjoy this entertaining read. Smith's extensive and eclectic research calls on podcasts, Sports Illustrated archives, and interviews with key players. Readers of sports history, popular culture, and business will be fascinated by Smith's exciting, informative, and multifaceted narrative of the major roles the sneaker has played in U.S. branding, perceptions, and culture.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)