Sneaker Century: A History of Athletic Shoes by Amber J. Keyser

Sneaker Century: A History of Athletic Shoes Reviews

• 
  Abraham Dabengwa

  An accessible book about the history and culture behind the most distinctive footwear. He lost one star because my favourite sneaker is not well-profiled. OK, I'm biased. However, I recommend it as an unofficial history
• 
  Morgan

  I asked our materials department to buy this title for my young adult non fiction collection, thinking I could easily sell it to a reluctant reader - it's short and has good graphics. Of course, I did want to read it to see if it truly was sellable.
  
  I really wasn't excited to read it, after all, I own sneakers, but I don't run anywhere, ever. But this book isn't just about a type of shoe, it's about sneakers and people.
  
  Through short, simple chapters this book examines the history of footwear, the global impact of making and discarding our beloved sneakers, and cultural influences. The stories concerning Olympic Games and shoes were among the most interesting for me.
  
  This slight book has a lot to offer. Today, I am a footwear genius.
• 
  Alicia

  I find this book full of accessible cocktail-hour factoids fascinating. The presentation of the history from ancient times through contemporary moving through pop culture, sports, and industry make it a valuable collection of information worth reading for fun or because you're a Sneakerhead.
  
  The political climate related to Jesse Owens during the Olympics was just an revealing as the relationship between the two brothers who ultimately parted ways and started two companies (Adidas and Puma) because of their disagreements. There's chapters about sponsorships, Michael Jordan, "jogging" as a recreational activity, all the different brands of sneaker that exist and all the fun vocabulary associated with how people refer to sneakers.
  
  Will definitely highlight this to students for its simplicity but its depth on the topic.
• 
  Annalee Schnebele

  A short history of sneakers. A quick and interesting read. I did the annoying thing with this book during silent reading where I made all the other librarians listen to the facts I learned about sneakers.
  
  I learned a lot, and I liked how the end of the book focused a bit on the environmental and ethical concerns involving sneakers (not just the labor aspects - but also the branding and advertising of sneakers to teenagers who cannot afford them).
  
  This would be a necessary book for all middle school collections for those super reluctant middle school readers.
• 
  Heather

  Excellent, interesting read. I quite enjoyed it.
• 
  Rose

  A nice way to learn the beginnings of how sneakers became the ubiquitous form of footwear.
• 
  Derick Faustino

  Its about the history of sneakers from where they started, how they are made, and influence to the sneaker community because their lots of people who like some kind of shoe.
• 
  Cody Greilich

  Not a very good book.
• 
  Angie

  The history of sneakers is an interesting one. It is kind of hard to believe that they have only been around a bit over 100 years since they are a constant part of our lives now. Sneaker Century takes the reader through the history of sneakers from the very first ones in the 1800s to modern celebrity-designed ones today. I found the history fascinating. I know almost nothing about sneaker brands other than their names so this was definitely an education for me. I learned that two brothers started a shoe company in pre-WWII Germany and outfitted some of the Olympic runners. After WWII they fought and broke up the company into Adidas and Puma. I also learned that Keds are one of the oldest sneaker brands. The history of Nike and Reebok are also covered. The one thing I wish the book had more of is pictures. It mentions specific shoes or styles of shoes but doesn't show what those shoes looks like. I think it would have been stronger with more pictures of actual sneakers.
  
  I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
• 
  Heather Brown

  Today's kids may not have heard the story of Michael Jordan playing while he had the Flu, but is a memorable way to start this book! The thought of getting rich off of shoes will intrigue many kids. The authors effectively link present day with prehistory by comparing the first poured-rubber shoes of South American natives to today's Vibram toe shoes. Do you know why they are called Keds and Chuck Taylors? Learning how it all started is fascinating! The Olympics helped many shoe companies become popular, while jogging and aerobics fads popularized others. The hyped shoes starting in the mid 1980s and continuing today are explored well. Shoe production is a global industry, with parts made in the US and Europe but the cheaper sections done by sweatshop workers in 3rd world countries. This is aimed at middle and high school kids, but is a really well-put-together book for anyone interested in sneakers.
• 
  Carly Thompson

  Nonfiction geared toward grades 6 and up. A history of the development of the sneaker from its beginnings to the current craze for expensive designer versions. Keyser highlights key personalities in the industry including the founders of Adidas, Puma, and Nike and athletes and celebrities responsible for popularizing the shoes. The text flows easily and there are plenty of color photos. Each chapter has the picture of a shoe at the front of the chapter heading but there is no attribution; are these famous shoes or just interesting stock images? Captions would have been helpful here. While I found the discussion of how shoes are made boring, there are lots of interesting tidbits in this book. Kids who need to read a nonfiction text or are just interested in cool sneakers will find this a fun book.
  
  The book includes a brief bibliography (including interesting websites), source notes and an index.
• 
  Joanna

  A great introduction into the history of sneakers, both for athletics and fashion. The writing is accessible and easy to understand, and will keep a reader engaged. I found myself looking up more information on interesting facts throughout the book. The resource list at the end is good and provides links with excellent information. Reading this made me want to pull out all of my sneakers and wear them, and add to my collection.
  
  If a teen or tween needs a non-fiction book on history, popular culture, art, or even engineering, this may not be exactly what their teacher was thinking of, but will work. It is short enough that a reluctant reader won't be intimidated, and will keep teens and tweens engaged.
• 
  Joyce

  This was a quick, easy, and interesting nonfiction book for middle school and high school students and will be fun to book talk. It's a very slim read (64 pages), but there is a decent amount of information on the history of the sneaker for readers who are interested. It also is a good starting point for students doing research. There are loads of pop culture references and interesting facts, i.e. Adidas and Puma were founded by 2 brothers, Beyonce had sneakers made for her out of ostrich, anaconda, crocodile, stingray, and calf skins (!!!) and Nike originally did not like the "swoosh" logo but accepted it because they were pressed for time. The author also includes a list of books and sites to check out for readers who want more information.
• 
  Alice

  When I was sitting in my book award committee the lady sitting next to me presented this book. She said (paraphrasing) " I didn't think much about this book, and then I started reading it and it was fascinating"
  
  I am the advocate for this book in my committee. Thankfully, I also found it fascinating! It hits all the points from A to B. Meaning the cool factor to the global impact (pollution, low wages, child labor, non bio gradable etc).
  In some books you can gloss over some words or skim pages, I wanted to read every word.
  
  I love shoes, but I also don't like to pay an arm an a leg for shoes, but when you learn about the process it takes from my shoes I might be more willing to a tiny bit more for a pair of 'kicks'.
• 
  Tara

  OMG shoes!
  Seriously guys, I just read a book about shoes! "le sigh"
  
  I, like many others, own many pairs of shoes, specifically sneakers. I need a pair to run, to boat, to dance, for work, date outfits, etc and this book reaffirms everything I believe-- there is nothing wrong with a shoe obsession.
  
  This book is a perfect concised look into the history of sneakers, the business and politics, as well as fashion trends... Including a focus on Air Jordan's, Converse and the Adidas vs Nike rivalry. I recommend to any and all who, like me, love shoes, books, and great history lessons.
• 
  Brenda Kahn

  Earlier this school year, I began to notice my students' sneakers. Now, the population at my school is rather comfortable and name brands are ubiquitous. But I started to notice the boys sporting these immaculate sneakers and fussing over keeping them immaculate. None of the four boys that I raised ever gave a fig about keeping their sneaks clean. I asked what was up and learned that quite a few are sneakerheads and collecting sneakers has become a thing. I knew when I saw this book in the JLG line-up that my collection sorely needed it.
  
  
• 
  Mrs. Trimble

  This book features really great, bold images of athletes and different sneaker designs. It's an amazing history behind the rise and fall of sneaker companies and how endorsements and product placement changed the industry. This is a great story about how sneakers have become a huge industry. There is even a mention of how a disastrous loss of containers of sneakers in the ocean actually have helped scientists study ocean currents - referencing another one of my favorite books: Tracking Trash by Loree Griffin Burns.
  
• 
  Allison

  This is a perfect choice for upper elementary or middle school students seeking a highly engaging piece of nonfiction-- especially the kids who only want to read about sports. This book mixes sports with history with politics with economics with pop culture... all in all, a great read. As a newbie runner, I loved learning about tumultuous and surprising history of my favorite shoes. Highly recommend!
• 
  The Styling Librarian

  Sneaker Century – A History of Athletic Shoes by Amber J. Keyser – Fascinating exploration of the history of athletic shoes through time. I loved learning and piecing together random bits of knowledge into an understanding about how sneakers developed over time with the influence of athletes, cost, various uses, business movels, exploitation and environmental impact. Couldn’t stop reading this book.
• 
  Amy

  A quick and fascinating read about the history of sneakers. Enjoyed how it covered all aspects, like history of the big brands, cultural influences, and ethical and environmental concerns. Goes into enough detail that readers can get a solid understanding of the issues and history but not as much detail as a book that you might use for specific research. Fulfills its role as an introductory and interesting read.
• 
  Becky

  This book will definitely be popular among my fifth and sixth grade students, and with teachers who like to use nonfiction passages in their reading workshop. It covers lots of great stories and anecdotes about the history of sneakers, and doesn't shy away from controversies in how sneakers are made or in the waste that sneakers create. I highly recommend it.
• 
  Annie

  Who knew sneakers were so interesting? This book could have been twice as long, and I'd have wanted to keep reading. I learned so many crazy things in this book: Adidas and Puma's roots in Nazi Germany (what?!), the surprisingly complicated process to make shoes that means each one is essentially handmade, Reebok's crazy 80's marketing schemes to get women to wear sneakers, and so much more.
• 
  Marti

  A short quick look at the history of the sneaker, from the creation of the rubber in the 1800's that would become the soles of sneakers, their impact on the notorious Berlin Olympics, their exploitation of the groups they're marketed to, and how celebrity sneaker endorsements came about.
  
  Tie-ins: brief mention of the impact of the sneaker industry on the environment and modern day slavery.
• 
  Virginia

  The information in the book was good and presented well, but I felt like this book missed the boat as far as the pictures. It is full of pictures of sneakers, but not necessarily the sneakers that the text is referring to. I spent a lot of time googling images that I felt should have been included in the book itself.
• 
  Shaundell

  Enjoyed it. Made me feel old! In the prologue, the NBA 1997 and 1998 Championship Gameg with the Bulls and Jazz are discussed and I remember those games! I also remember the 1980s and the role that sneakers played. This is a history book and my time is in there!
• 
  Robin Raines-Bond

  Cool book about the history of the beloved Sneakers, runners, gutties or whatever it is that you call your athletic shoes. Fascinating, non-fiction book with great information on several famous athletes and celebrities.
• 
  Lalaknits

  Fun informational text about the history of shoes and then specifically sneakers. Great for reluctant readers interested in the topic.
• 
  Kim

  The history is sneakers! Awesome nonfiction read. Mix shoes and sports and it's a book that should fly off the shelf. Add a little Michael Jordan and students should find the book irresistible.