The book this episode covers
Let My People Go Surfing
Yvon Chouinard · Reading rank 31 · in 12 other episodes
David urges listeners to read, buy, and use the book as a reference.
Cross-episode reference · Dedicated episode · Explicit praise · Founder theme · Reread language
Books David recommends along the way
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight · Reading rank 3 · in 24 other episodes
David compares Patagonia’s early cash-flow problems with Phil Knight’s account of building Nike in Shoe Dog.
Founder theme
In the Company of Giants
Rama Dev Jager and Rafael Ortiz · Reading rank 27 · in 22 other episodes
David directly calls the book fantastic.
Cross-episode reference · Explicit praise · Founder theme
The Beak of the Finch
Jonathan Weiner · Reading rank 434
David says the book's recurring theme is that change is opportunity and stress drives growth.
Founder theme
Also mentioned
Fearless Flyer
Trader Joe's · Reading rank 416 · in 3 other episodes
David compares Patagonia's teaching-first catalogs with Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer: detailed product education that gives readers value and lets sales follow from what customers learn.
Founder theme
Patagonia Catalogs
Patagonia · Reading rank 431 · in 1 other episode
David describes Patagonia's catalogs as a teaching-first sales channel: field reports, environmental essays, and product education give readers useful information before asking for a purchase.
Founder theme
Steve Jobs
Paul Sen · Watch & Listen · in 3 other episodes
David applies Jobs's just-ask lesson, which he tentatively attributes to The Lost Interview, to Patagonia leader Kris McDivitt's practice of asking experienced people for help.
Founder theme
Each note is a short paraphrase of why David brings the book up. Book pages show every piece of evidence and its review status. How ranking works