For nearly 80 years, Yvon Chouinard has followed his own 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 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.