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Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport
“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.” -- LP Jacks For nearly 80 years, Yvon Chouinard has followed this advice, pursuing, 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 is 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 "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.
464 pages, Hardcover
Published April 23, 2019
94 people are currently reading
832 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 30, 2019
In "Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport," you get a front row seat with Patagonia-founder Yvon Chouinard. Not only did he start a very successful outdoor gear company, he also believes in the power of nature and the need to protect it for future generations to come. Patagonia as a company has been making waves recently for some of the work that it is doing on topics such as conservation and climate change.
I was drawn to this book because I have really liked following Patagonia's shifts as a company committed to doing better. I really didn't know much about Yvon Chouniard before reading this book and while a flat-out biography of him would have been interesting, it was really great to get to know him through his own words and specifically reading his words on things he really cared about. This is a man that has a very good sense of himself and what he wants to strive towards.
The book contains all sorts of stories that Chouniard wants to tell from both his personal adventures and long career. There are essays on wonderful places and the experiences he had there (my to-travel list is so much longer now). There are ruminations on the problems that plague our natural world and seem insurmountable. There are tributes to those that Chouniard loved and lost. One of my favorite essays in the book is a letter that he writes to his daughter as she goes off to school and to make her own way in the world. The essays throughout the book are passionate and often moving. In addition to some lovely odes to this beautiful world we live in, there is also some pretty amazing photography.
This book made me want to go take a long, beautiful walk somewhere with mountains, trees, lakes, and streams and just think about this wonderful place we call home. This book would be a lovely gift for anyone who loves the great outdoors!
I was drawn to this book because I have really liked following Patagonia's shifts as a company committed to doing better. I really didn't know much about Yvon Chouniard before reading this book and while a flat-out biography of him would have been interesting, it was really great to get to know him through his own words and specifically reading his words on things he really cared about. This is a man that has a very good sense of himself and what he wants to strive towards.
The book contains all sorts of stories that Chouniard wants to tell from both his personal adventures and long career. There are essays on wonderful places and the experiences he had there (my to-travel list is so much longer now). There are ruminations on the problems that plague our natural world and seem insurmountable. There are tributes to those that Chouniard loved and lost. One of my favorite essays in the book is a letter that he writes to his daughter as she goes off to school and to make her own way in the world. The essays throughout the book are passionate and often moving. In addition to some lovely odes to this beautiful world we live in, there is also some pretty amazing photography.
This book made me want to go take a long, beautiful walk somewhere with mountains, trees, lakes, and streams and just think about this wonderful place we call home. This book would be a lovely gift for anyone who loves the great outdoors!
March 29, 2020
As a business founder and owner, an outdoorsman, climber and runner, I found this book and how it portrays in a candid way some of Yvon Chouinard's inner world, extremely inspiring. Yvon's values of simplicity, activism through business, and living life well have become part of my aspirational short, medium and long-term goals. Of course I emphatically recommend this great book, even if it's bulky and heavy (perfect for your living room table).
July 6, 2020
inspiring
May 11, 2025
The title describes this well, an assortment of stories of travels, adventures, and social commentaries. A very enjoyable read to pick up from time-to-time
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April 30, 2019Yvon Chouinard, the founder of the outdoor brand Patagonia, began as a blacksmith, eventually creating Chouinard Equipment Ltd., which mainly focused on forging climbing pitons. He was a major player during the Golden Age of Climbing in Yosemite, making first ascents of the North America Wall with climbing legends Royal Robbins, Tom Frost, and Chuck Pratt in 1964.
Many decades later he’s published Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport (Patagonia), a collection of stories curated from a rugged, beautiful, and full life dedicated to nature.
While this collection is filled with gripping stories, perhaps most fascinating is the knowledge Chouinard derived from them, illuminated best in his essay on the importance of ethics and style in modern rock-climbing. Adding a new blurb to the already published essay, Chouinard writes, as if for himself more than anyone else: “It’s embarrassing reading this essay now. Its bombastic statements are from a young climber pretty full of himself. Nevertheless, its prediction of Yosemite techniques being used on big walls all over the world was not overstated.” In this essay, Chouinard goes on to revolutionize the moral code of rock climbing and offers a warning about the possible damage the sport could have on the environment.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/04/patagoni...
Many decades later he’s published Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport (Patagonia), a collection of stories curated from a rugged, beautiful, and full life dedicated to nature.
While this collection is filled with gripping stories, perhaps most fascinating is the knowledge Chouinard derived from them, illuminated best in his essay on the importance of ethics and style in modern rock-climbing. Adding a new blurb to the already published essay, Chouinard writes, as if for himself more than anyone else: “It’s embarrassing reading this essay now. Its bombastic statements are from a young climber pretty full of himself. Nevertheless, its prediction of Yosemite techniques being used on big walls all over the world was not overstated.” In this essay, Chouinard goes on to revolutionize the moral code of rock climbing and offers a warning about the possible damage the sport could have on the environment.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/04/patagoni...
May 1, 2023
Въведение в спортните залагания - Научете спортни залагания
Спортните залагания също са популярно забавление. И когато казваме популярни, НАИСТИНА го имаме предвид. Безброй хора по света се наслаждават на спортните залагания до такава степен, че милиарди долари се харчат за тях всяка година. Това е не само забавно, но можете и да спечелите пари. Щракнете тук, за да намерите ревюто ни за Сезам- един най-добрите онлайн букмейкъри, предлагащи най-добрите бонуси и оферти за играчи в България!
Същото може да се каже за почти всички форми на хазарт, но малко (ако има такива) са толкова популярни, колкото спортните залагания. Това е особено вярно в интернет, където най-популярните хазартни сайтове приемат милиони спортни залагания всеки ден.
Спортните залози с истински пари изискват депозит. Това става чрез електронни портфейли (като PayPal и Skrill), дебитни карти и банкови преводи. Това са основните начини и всеки букмейкър сам си ги определя.
Защо спортните залагания привличат толкова много внимание? Трудно е да се знае със сигурност, без да се провери всяка една спортна книга по света.
Въпреки това, след като разгледахме всичко, което знаем за спортните залагания, ние вярваме, че в крайна сметка има две основни причини за това.
Първият е просто, че самите спортове са изключително популярни. Разбира се, не всички спортуват, но със сигурност има много хора. За много от тях залагането на спортовете, които обичат, е просто естествен процес.
Втората основна причина е, че спортните залагания са много лесни. Можете да започнете да залагате с ограничени основи и пак да имате шанс да спечелите пари, особено ако залагате на спорт, който наистина разбирате.
Сега е друг въпрос, че постоянно печелим пари. Изискват се много повече знания и повече усилия. Разбирането на спорта определено помага, но не е достатъчно за успех в дългосрочен план. Вие също трябва да научите и развиете определени умения.
Не е нужно да се тревожите за всичко това, когато започнете. Това е нещо, което трябва да имате предвид, ако вашата дългосрочна цел е да станете печеливш залагащ. И дори ако просто искате да се забавлявате малко, важно е да знаете, че победата не идва лесно.
Колкото и прости да са спортните залагания, има много предимства да знаете повече за тях, преди да заложите парите си на карта. Тази презентация за спортни залагания е идеалното място за това. Това е за напълно начинаещи. Планираме да ви научим на всичко, което трябва да знаете, за да имате възможно най-доброто изживяване със спортни залагания.
Нашето въведение е разделено на три отделни части. Първият раздел съдържа важна информация, която трябва да имате предвид, преди да започнете. Ще ви помогне да решите дали спортните залагания са подходящи за вас и ще ви даде представа как работи всичко. Втората част е основно ръководство стъпка по стъпка за започване, а третата част се фокусира върху това да ви научи на някои основни умения за залагане, които наистина ще ви помогнат.
Казахме ви колко лесно е да започнете спортни залагания и наистина вярваме в това. Но не трябва да се забравя, че тук има реални рискове. Няма значение колко добре познавате спорта, на който залагате; всеки път, когато правите залог, рискувате парите си. За съжаление, начинаещите са по-склонни да загубят, отколкото да спечелят.
Така че, ако искате да се насочите директно към спортните залагания, защото мислите, че ще спечелите много пари веднага, помислете отново. Можете ли да правите пари като начинаещ? Напълно. ще Вероятно не.
Не казваме това, защото искаме да ви попречим да приемате спортни залагания. Това изобщо не е нашето намерение. Всъщност се надяваме, че когато го опитате, ще откриете, че наистина ви харесва! Ние просто искаме очите ви да се отворят широко. Спортните залагания НЕ са за всеки. Затова е задължително да прочетете първата статия от увода. Той подчертава рисковете и ползите от спортните залагания и ви помага да решите дали това е подходящата дейност за вас.
Спортните залагания също са популярно забавление. И когато казваме популярни, НАИСТИНА го имаме предвид. Безброй хора по света се наслаждават на спортните залагания до такава степен, че милиарди долари се харчат за тях всяка година. Това е не само забавно, но можете и да спечелите пари. Щракнете тук, за да намерите ревюто ни за Сезам- един най-добрите онлайн букмейкъри, предлагащи най-добрите бонуси и оферти за играчи в България!
Същото може да се каже за почти всички форми на хазарт, но малко (ако има такива) са толкова популярни, колкото спортните залагания. Това е особено вярно в интернет, където най-популярните хазартни сайтове приемат милиони спортни залагания всеки ден.
Спортните залози с истински пари изискват депозит. Това става чрез електронни портфейли (като PayPal и Skrill), дебитни карти и банкови преводи. Това са основните начини и всеки букмейкър сам си ги определя.
Защо спортните залагания привличат толкова много внимание? Трудно е да се знае със сигурност, без да се провери всяка една спортна книга по света.
Въпреки това, след като разгледахме всичко, което знаем за спортните залагания, ние вярваме, че в крайна сметка има две основни причини за това.
Първият е просто, че самите спортове са изключително популярни. Разбира се, не всички спортуват, но със сигурност има много хора. За много от тях залагането на спортовете, които обичат, е просто естествен процес.
Втората основна причина е, че спортните залагания са много лесни. Можете да започнете да залагате с ограничени основи и пак да имате шанс да спечелите пари, особено ако залагате на спорт, който наистина разбирате.
Сега е друг въпрос, че постоянно печелим пари. Изискват се много повече знания и повече усилия. Разбирането на спорта определено помага, но не е достатъчно за успех в дългосрочен план. Вие също трябва да научите и развиете определени умения.
Не е нужно да се тревожите за всичко това, когато започнете. Това е нещо, което трябва да имате предвид, ако вашата дългосрочна цел е да станете печеливш залагащ. И дори ако просто искате да се забавлявате малко, важно е да знаете, че победата не идва лесно.
Колкото и прости да са спортните залагания, има много предимства да знаете повече за тях, преди да заложите парите си на карта. Тази презентация за спортни залагания е идеалното място за това. Това е за напълно начинаещи. Планираме да ви научим на всичко, което трябва да знаете, за да имате възможно най-доброто изживяване със спортни залагания.
Нашето въведение е разделено на три отделни части. Първият раздел съдържа важна информация, която трябва да имате предвид, преди да започнете. Ще ви помогне да решите дали спортните залагания са подходящи за вас и ще ви даде представа как работи всичко. Втората част е основно ръководство стъпка по стъпка за започване, а третата част се фокусира върху това да ви научи на някои основни умения за залагане, които наистина ще ви помогнат.
Казахме ви колко лесно е да започнете спортни залагания и наистина вярваме в това. Но не трябва да се забравя, че тук има реални рискове. Няма значение колко добре познавате спорта, на който залагате; всеки път, когато правите залог, рискувате парите си. За съжаление, начинаещите са по-склонни да загубят, отколкото да спечелят.
Така че, ако искате да се насочите директно към спортните залагания, защото мислите, че ще спечелите много пари веднага, помислете отново. Можете ли да правите пари като начинаещ? Напълно. ще Вероятно не.
Не казваме това, защото искаме да ви попречим да приемате спортни залагания. Това изобщо не е нашето намерение. Всъщност се надяваме, че когато го опитате, ще откриете, че наистина ви харесва! Ние просто искаме очите ви да се отворят широко. Спортните залагания НЕ са за всеки. Затова е задължително да прочетете първата статия от увода. Той подчертава рисковете и ползите от спортните залагания и ви помага да решите дали това е подходящата дейност за вас.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
I loved the stories, but then the preaching started...
Yvon was part of my climbing years in the mid-80’s. I took it up just before his equipment and clothes started coming out ( in the Seattle area). I bought early products, like the fleece-like stuff, and ice axes, and more. Exciting to see the store open up in Seattle, brand new, Bob Marley style music adding ambience.
I read many of his accomplishments-who does not when learning climbing. A true inspiration for sure. A few years ago looking at the north face of Mt Edith Cavell, I knew who first climbed that thing. Wow.
So I relished reading the stories of his life, what a story it is.
But then the stories abruptly end, and his politics, and preaching take over. Very disappointing. I understand his passion, and also see degradation of most everything in my lifetime of the outdoors, but since I am not famous, I have no podium to spew off on. No one would listen. Too many celebrities and famous people should keep their politics to themselves. It is only a turnoff. We just want the stories, please.
Thus, I change my rating from a 5 to a 3, sadly....
Yvon was part of my climbing years in the mid-80’s. I took it up just before his equipment and clothes started coming out ( in the Seattle area). I bought early products, like the fleece-like stuff, and ice axes, and more. Exciting to see the store open up in Seattle, brand new, Bob Marley style music adding ambience.
I read many of his accomplishments-who does not when learning climbing. A true inspiration for sure. A few years ago looking at the north face of Mt Edith Cavell, I knew who first climbed that thing. Wow.
So I relished reading the stories of his life, what a story it is.
But then the stories abruptly end, and his politics, and preaching take over. Very disappointing. I understand his passion, and also see degradation of most everything in my lifetime of the outdoors, but since I am not famous, I have no podium to spew off on. No one would listen. Too many celebrities and famous people should keep their politics to themselves. It is only a turnoff. We just want the stories, please.
Thus, I change my rating from a 5 to a 3, sadly....
May 4, 2025
The prose of this book isn’t particularly striking or gripping, but Yvon Chouinard’s philosophy and the richness of his life is awe inspiring. Loved getting to learn more about Patagonia. His book really made me stop and think about my decisions as a consumer, my relationship with nature, and what kind of career I want in the future. The urgency of his narrative, despite being published in 2003, has only increased.
November 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this week written book. Many excellent photos enhanced the reading experience, and I was consistently amazed by the Yvon’s adventurous spirit.
In reflecting on the stories, it seems that there’s a fine line between doing the “dirtbag” thing and living a responsible life. I’m not sure how the early often weeks-long global adventures were funded, but you have to give Yvon credit for making them happen.
Definitely recommended for outdoor lovers.
In reflecting on the stories, it seems that there’s a fine line between doing the “dirtbag” thing and living a responsible life. I’m not sure how the early often weeks-long global adventures were funded, but you have to give Yvon credit for making them happen.
Definitely recommended for outdoor lovers.
March 21, 2020
Makes one want to drop everything, get outside, come back home, sell/give away everything he/she doesn't need, and become a steward of the environment. I have a new appreciation for Patagonia as a company, and I feel like I haven't explored or experienced nearly enough of the ever dwindling wild regions of this planet.
June 21, 2019
6 stars
I am not a fan of books about already previously written articles but this one is magnificent. Several periods of Yvon's life and career, described with integrity and a bit of adventure.
I am not a fan of books about already previously written articles but this one is magnificent. Several periods of Yvon's life and career, described with integrity and a bit of adventure.
July 5, 2019
Dit is een echt koffietafelboek, met verhalen die allemaal eerder al gepubliceerd zijn. Geweldig om te doorbladeren, maar als je Yvon en Patagonia volgt, ken je er al heel wat van. Sowieso eerst 'Let my people go surfing' lezen voor je aan deze start.
June 25, 2020
Wise words from a wise man.
I've read all of Yvon's books, even First Descents the book about kayaking even though I don't kayak. My favourite Yvon quote is "it's not an adventure until something goes wrong." That said these stories will take you on an adventure. Happy trails.
I've read all of Yvon's books, even First Descents the book about kayaking even though I don't kayak. My favourite Yvon quote is "it's not an adventure until something goes wrong." That said these stories will take you on an adventure. Happy trails.
August 29, 2021
Expected more stories about business. A compilation of short stories, letters and articles published in magazines by the author. Interesting pictures made reading the book fun. Mainly stories about the authors hobbies and adventures as well as stories about saving the planet (dams, pollution, grassroots activism). Very much preferred let my people go surfing.
June 28, 2022
“It’s easy to be depressed these days, as much of the wild world has been denigrated or destroyed. But I like to remind myself that these things change. You see nothing happening and then all of a sudden, it changes.
December 13, 2020
Great short stories of Yvon’s life from a young age through current, he covers it all.
May 26, 2021
Love this guy but have read a lot of this before. Didn't realize so much of it would be about climbing.
I think my limited reading time will be better spent on something else.
I think my limited reading time will be better spent on something else.
June 2, 2019
I loved "Let My People Go Surfing," but wasn't sure what to expect from this one. Picture more personal stories and essays mixed in with some life lessons and thoughts on the state of the world, economy, and environment. A good read for anyone who loves the outdoors!
December 14, 2025
I don’t think I believe in idols at this point in my life, but if I did, Yvon Chouinard would be near the top of the list. He has lived an extraordinary life - I found myself wondering multiple times throughout the book how he made it to old age. But I’m thankful he did, as Patagonia has become one of the most admired brands in the world - not because of trickery or marketing but because of a belief system. If Coca Cola was once most admired for slapping red billboards everywhere you looked, Patagonia is admired for trying to do the right thing on behalf of Earth and its inhabitants while still staying in business. These are the stories that shaped the man that started the company and turned it into something worth admiring.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews