Shoe Dog (Young Readers Edition)

By Phil Knight

In this young readers edition of the international bestseller, Nike founder and board chairman Phil Knight 'offers a rare and revealing look at the notoriously media-shy man behind the swoosh' (Booklist), opening up about how he went from being a track star at an Oregon high school to the founder of a brand and company that changed everything.

You must forget your limits.

It was only when Phil Knight got cut from the baseball team as a high school freshman that his mother suggested he try out for track instead. Knight made the track team and he found he could run fast and even more he liked it. Ten years later, young and searching, Knight borrowed fifty dollars from his father and launched a company with one simple mission: import high-quality running shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the boot of his car to start, he and his gang of friends and runners built one of the most successful brands ever.

Phil Knight encountered risks and setbacks along the way, but always followed his own advice. Just keep going. Don’t stop. Whatever comes up, don’t stop. Filled with wisdom, humanity, humour and heart, the young readers edition of the bestselling Shoe Dog is a story of determination that inspires all who read it.

This is an abridged edition of the internationally bestselling adult book, but in addition it includes new frontmatter and backmatter, an introduction to the younger reader and  'A Letter to the Young Reader' that provides advice from Phil Knight for the battles that lie ahead for young people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Sep 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781471170126

Phil Knight

One of the world’s most influential business executives, Phil Knight is the founder of Nike, Inc. He served as CEO of the company from 1964 to 2004, as board chairman through 2016, and he is currently Chairman Emeritus. He lives in Oregon with his wife, Penny.

Reviews for Shoe Dog (Young Readers Edition)

[writermala · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When the writer Phil Knight says he loved selling shoes as opposed to encyclopedias or Mutual Funds because he believed in running he had me as a fan. Throughout the book it is a recurring theme - the employees' love for running. Knight and his people wanted their work to be play. And they worked (or played) as long as it took to make the company -Nike-successful.This memoir of the founder of Nike was indeed interesting and I would recommend it as a good non-fiction book to read.

[berly_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

[Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike] by Phil Knight 4.5Okay, Nike is based in Oregon, but that's such a small piece of why I loved this book. Knight is actually an AMAZING storyteller, with great wit, wonderful vocabulary and a convincing storyline. Shockingly good writing. Who knew? I had no idea that this worldwide giant of a company had such a tenuous start, but it was fascinating to hear all the trials and tribulations, the enthusiasm and dedication, the bond between the founders, not to mention foreign travel and negotiating with the Japanese, the Olympics. An awesome read-- I listened on audio, but print would work just as well. I did take a half of a point off because Knight is so brutally honest; his descriptions were almost too much for me at times. Funny in a painful way. Still, I give it an enthusiastic 4.5 stars.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An inspiring and fascinating memoir from the creator of Nike. Phil Knight spares no details in this in depth look about how he created the Nike empire as a young naive guy in his 20s. It was anything but smooth sailing, equal parts business and personal, this memoir touches on all the struggles the young fledgling company had in its first 2 decades. It pretty much ends in 1980 when the company went public, because that is when the company finally took off. Brilliantly narrated to convey the emotions and excitement of the Nike culture. After listening to this book I have soo much respect for Nike and its creator. I've always seen it around, it's one of the largest companies ever, but I've never appreciated how hard they worked to get to the point they are at now. Insanely inspiring, they've definitely got a new customer.

[angiestahl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Highly recommended. Business books and CEO memoirs aren't always, but this one's outstanding.It reads fast and is written in an approachable way as if you were sitting around with Phil Knight and he as telling you the story of how he co-founded Nike. As it is for many of us, Nike has been a household name my whole life and I've read many a case story about it in business school. I thought I knew the company and brand story, but turns out - there is much more to it to appreciate. So glad I read this and took a lot from it, both in a personal and professional sense.

[lisasharvey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

SHOE DOG:A Memoir by the Creator of NikePhil KnightMY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️PUBLISHERScribner/ Simon and Schuster AudioPUBLISHEDApril 26, 2016SUMMARYIn 1962, at the age of 24, Phil Knight was contemplating his future. What about that "crazy idea" he had in college, Japanese running shoes in the US. The idea had captivated him ever since he wrote a paper for a Stanford entrepreneurial seminar. He knew that whatever he did, he wanted it to be different, purposeful and important, but most of all, he wanted it to be fun. As a runner in high school and college, he knew a little something about running shoes. To start he needed to get to Japan and pitched his idea to a manufacturer. He talked his dad into lending him money for a backpacking trip around the world. Japan was one of the stops along the way.The tall, skinny, shy kid from Oregon did it. He made it to Japan, He found a manufacturer, and pitched his idea of importing high-quality, low-cost running shoes to the US. The manufacturer agreed Knight could be the West Coast distributor for Tiger shoes. And so, the intriguing story of what would become NIKE begins.Phil Knight shares the inside story of the start and evolution of this monumental US corporation. Knight grossed $8,000 his first year. He and his ragtag group of employees were able to double sales every year. Today NIKE annual sales are over $30 billion. NIKE and Phil Knight changed the way that we as consumers look at athletic shoes, they are not just to be worn on the field of play, but worn every day for work and for fun.REVIEW"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results."Shoe Dog was a refreshingly honest memoir. Phil Knight doesn't make him out himself out to be perfect. He reveals his mistakes, his failures, his indecisions, and his imperfections. That's what makes me appreciate this book so much. Despite his shy and introverted personality he persevered. Despite his difficulties with his banks, his manufacturers, his competitors, and the government, he persevered. One of my favorite quotes was the advice he likes to give to others:"Keep going! Don't stop until you get there, wherever there is."And that's exactly what he did. His writing appears to be effortless. He is simply telling us the story of his "crazy idea" and all it trials and tribulations. Shoe Dog flows well and is very easy to read. The antidotes and stories he shares are riveting. It is so hard to even imagine that this gigantic company and iconic brand we now know as NIKE had such a rough beginning. But Phil Knight kept on going and didn't stop till he got there. I listened to the audio version of this book. It was enjoyable to hear both Phil Knight for the Introduction, and Norbert Leo Butz for the remainder of the book.

[sbenne3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great read! It is a story about building a business through passion and tenacity. The stories are very engaging and if you are paying attention there are so many lessons for life and business. This is a wonderful combination of a business book and a memoire. Highly recommend.

[idiopathic-374092 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully honest

I don't like sports and only thought of Nike as an advertising company. But what a read. The author is so honest so detailed about how hard things are and how many things he did badly. And it was so sad to read about his son. I am so grateful that he shares his stories with the rest of the world.

[kapilgupta-779229 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Engrossing and captivating memoir. Phil Knight tells his tale simply and without (completely) ignoring his own flaws and mistakes; a story of grit, hard work and self-healing. In the end, Phil has a simple message for young students everywhere: keep searching for your calling, even if you don't know what it is; and until you find it, keep working hard (my paraphrasing).

[jpsnow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shoe Dog is a business book that reads like an adventure story, because the founding of Nike really was one. It's a tale of entrepreneurship. It's a tale of risk taker vs. bankers. It's also a tale about athletics, particularly running. I enjoyed everything about this book. Favorite quote: If you have a body, you're an athlete.

[Nomalizo Xabana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a read. A story of humble beginnings which will give you so many gems on the ups and of business. I love love this book and would recommend it to every young entrepreneur. The book took me on a journey of how Nike became Nike, with all its highs and lows proving how they persevered to be the Iconic company we know them to be today.