Just Do It: The Nike Spirit in the Corporate World

I found this early 90's insider's view of Nike to be well writen, interesting and overly informative. Too bad it's out of print now! I bought 10 copies to pass around my work for managers and exec's to read.

I thought this was a very fascinating book to read. Whether or not you are a fan of Nike, this book gives insight into Nike's founder, Phil Knight, and the thought process that goes into making a great shoe.

After reading this fascinating account, I am somewhat dumbfounded by some reviewers who didn't find any real corporate insights here. There are plenty, especially the spirit of the place, which one quickly realizes is the heart and soul.Bookcased by Air Jordan's entry and retire, Katz in good prose that flows well style relates how a middle-distance runner and his coach and eventually some Japanese shoes turned into the giant Swoosh Just Do It corporate wonder. For those of us from this time in our history, one distinctly remembers the embodiment of that spirit, Prefontaine.You see the dominant style of the venture comes from the playing fields, and many customers for it shoes can feel it, and so they buy it. Others are caught up in its powerful draft, not understanding at all the athletic side. Knight does, and he and his company relished it and grew it. Amazing. I remember setting right next to a mother and her teenage son, both of us guys trying on cross-training shoes. Me, non-Nike, and this young kid insisted he would only wear Air Jordan. The salesman said they didn't have any in that style in his small foot size, the smallest size 2-3 sizes too big. The salesman said it would be harmful to his feet to wear them, but the kid was incensed to have them on. And mom gave in. Stunned, I was. Then to hear about what kids would do to have these shoes.I relate to all of this as one who never really cared personally for those who stood for the Swoosh ala McEnroe, but respected very much their talent and drive. That's my response to their history and this fascinating chronicle of it: I don't really care personally for what they were about, but have great respect for their drive and talent. You have to give it to them.They ran the great race, up those trudging hills, and through those barriers that all distance runners have to run through. That great cover photo says it well, does it not!

Read this book! Unfortunately named 'Just do It' (and sounding like a company shill piece in the process), this is actually a fascinating look at Nike and its founder, Phil Knight. Whenever the subject is Knight, you cannot put the book down. He is a truly remarkable individual.Katz covers all dimensions of the Nike juggernaut: the Knight engima; Nike's rebirth after the rise of the inferior (in Knight's estimation) Reebok aerobic sneaker in the mid-eighties; its association with Michael Jordan; the jocky world of the Ekins; the designs of Tinker Hatfield and other shoe creators; its relationships with Weiden Kennedy (developers of its ad campaigns); and its offshore manufacturing difficulties.To me, the visits into Knight's inner sanctums are worth the price of the book, and make it a truly fascinating read. You get to see the man behind the wrap-around shades, and he turns out to be a fascinating, complex character.. you come away from the book with an understanding of Knight's athletic background, his hatred of Olympic-style 'officialdom,' and his will to win. As much as Bill Gates defines Microsoft's corporate character, Knight does for Nike.

A very objective look at one of Americas brightest icons. As an industry veteren, I think this book gives the general public a much better understanding of some of the foriegn labor issues and profit margins. It is hard not to feel good about Nike after reading this book!