Shoe Dog

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

by Phil Knight

I often marvel at people who can write their own life journey as a “look-back” experience.  Did they keep a journal?  Did they go back and interview all of those around them?  Was it as they remember it?  All of these thoughts went through my head as I was reading Phil Knight’s book Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike. Knight chronicles his life from the time of college graduation (with his MBA) and his decisions as a former athlete (runner on the University of Oregon Ducks track team).  Knight, born and raised in a “WASP” home in the Portland area of Oregon, was a family man, dedicated to family and to a dream of creating a running shoe that would make Olympians win the gold. At the same time, he wanted to support the avid runner.  As time went on, he also dreamed of making sneakers all people would wear most of the time.  Knight’s story is motivating to any entrepreneur in that he shares the challenges: competition, going global, financial challenges, legal issues, family concerns, and how one can become infatuated with success at all costs, including losing connection to your children and wife.  As I reflected on the book, I wondered at his realization that his company was hurting the environment with toxins and a horrible carbon footprint, underpaid wages to non-union employees around the world, and taking advantage of female laborers…at what point could he sleep at night?  Of course he notes how the company ‘righted’ the wrong (in about 3 pages), but, at a 32.2 billion net worth, was the book cathartic?  Note he has given millions away to charities, including U of O with buildings named after his family, but does that make the other things go away? Didn’t anyone in the organization question taking advantage of cheap labor in Taiwan? Japan? Puerto Rico? China?  Sorry to seem so negative in my review – I did in fact enjoy reading the intricacies and tough decisions made by a middle class Stanford educated young man. But I also felt he didn’t do homage to those he may have stepped on or had forgotten along the way.  I know I lament often on the wrongs I may have done, hoping that today I will do better.  Also wish he offered a bit more depth on bad decisions that he made and things he thinks he would do differently.  Overall, worth a read.