Shoe Dog

The first part was excellent: Phil's story is that of a wandering soul turned entrepreneur, and hearing how Nike got its start is interesting and gripping.

The second part drags on, and the ending is kinda bad. By 1975, Nike is established and doing well enough, so the stories are just braggadocio about getting drunk with business partners or dodging taxes – not exactly inspiring stuff.

The final chapter drips with self-importance and contrived writing, glossing over huge and important events in Phil's life, like his son's death (the last regular chapter ends in 1980). He devotes only a few paragraphs to the sweatshop investigations of the 90s, only to say that the journalists were wrong but oh by the way Nike's factories are the best in the world now.

Nike's legacy as one of the greatest American companies is undeniable, and the origin story is worth hearing about, but the rest of the book isn't worth the time.