Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport

Description

“An essential read”—Forbes The riveting stories of outdoor life and activism from Patagonia’s iconoclastic founder—in his own words For nearly 80 years, Yvon Chouinard has pursued, with equal fervor, sports adventures, business excellence, and environmental activism. Since 1950, he has captured the lessons and revelations he’s learned in articles and books, personal letters and poetry, introductions and eulogies. In this fascinating inside look, Chouinard himself has selected his favorites from years of reflection, all accompanied by illustrative photos, many never published before. The results are both more of Chouinard’s iconoclastic and provocative thinking, his skilled storytelling and sense of humor, and a picture of the evolution of his thoughts and philosophies. With articles on sports, from falconry to fishing and climbing to surfing, with musings on the purpose of business and the importance of environmental activism, this very personal book is like sitting on the couch with this amazing man, flipping through his photo album as he tells the stories of his life. Some Stories is an eclectic portrait of a unique life lived well. Yet the final pages of the book indicate that Chouinard will continue to challenge people, business, and the world. He presents the company''s new simple but direct mission statement, revised for the first time in 27 years: "We are in business to save our home planet." With it he emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis then entreats every person''s obligation to reflect on, commit to, and act on this mission. Review: Climbing's Golden Years - This is an impressive tome. I am about a quarter of the way through the book and have relived the early days of climbing through the 50s and 60s. Back then there wasn't much information as to what was going on in the world of climbing. There were no climbing magazines, no internet of course, few books, only rumors. Yet, stuff was getting done. Ascents, developments in gear, techniques and style. This period witnessed a huge shift in attitude and expectation. This heavy duty book fills in all the blanks as to what was really going on in those golden years via the eyes of the guru himself, Yvon Chouinard. A book to be treasured. Yvon's surfing, business success and fly fishing years are also a part of the story. That I'm not especially looking forward to. Review: Anecdotes from a life well lived and a time of Americas 'golden age'. - Very interesting look at one of the founders of the outdoor industry as it now is. Yvon comes across as a reluctant businessman for whom the process seems more important, just looking for a way to finance his lifestyle and ever larger trips. A good read with anecdotes from an earlier less complicated time.