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58 pages 1 hour read

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2005

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Book Brief

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Yvon Chouinard

Let My People Go Surfing

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

2000s

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1200L

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Super Short Summary

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard is a memoir and business book that chronicles the growth of Patagonia and its dedication to environmental sustainability. Chouinard recounts his journey from an outdoor enthusiast escaping childhood bullying to founding Patagonia, navigating its expansion, and establishing core company values prioritizing quality, ethical production, and environmental responsibility.

Inspirational

Informative

Adventurous

Hopeful

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

30,493 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard is lauded for its inspiring blend of business principles and environmental advocacy, reflecting its author's passion and ethical approach to entrepreneurship. However, some readers find the narrative occasionally repetitive and the advice idealistic for certain business contexts. Overall, it's a compelling read for those interested in sustainable business practices.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Let My People Go Surfing?

Readers who would enjoy Yvon Chouinard's Let My People Go Surfing are environmentally conscious individuals, business leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts. This demographic also appreciates books like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and Blake Mycoskie's Start Something That Matters, blending sustainability, entrepreneurship, and a passion for nature.

4.4

30,493 ratings

82%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Yvon Chouinard

The founder of Patagonia and Chouinard Equipment, Yvon Chouinard is a visionary who shapes the company’s philosophy and focus on environmental activism, informed by his experiences in nature and risk sports.

Yvon Chouinard’s wife and a key influence at Patagonia, she advocates for progressive employee benefits and contributes to the company’s reputation for caring for its workforce.

A former neighbor and assistant packer at Chouinard Equipment, McDivitt becomes the general manager of Patagonia, adeptly steering the company’s business and brand with her open and collaborative management style.

A strategic planner consulted by the Chouinards, he helps refocus Patagonia's mission and introduces concurrent manufacturing to improve the company's product quality and financial viability.

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

2000s

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1200L

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