Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sports Paperback by Barbara Smit

Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sports by Barbara Smit is one of our favorite sneaker history books and is an enthralling and captivating book that delves into the incredible story of the Dassler brothers and their impact on the world of sports.

The book tells the story of how two brothers, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, founded Adidas and Puma respectively and how their intense rivalry and family feud forever changed the business of sports. From the early days of their partnership to the eventual split that led to the creation of two of the most iconic sports brands in the world, this book offers an in-depth look at the fascinating history of Adidas and Puma and the brothers who built them. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of sports and the impact of family dynamics on business. This book is in very good condition. More info and reviews below:

Sneaker Wars is the fascinating true story of the enemy brothers behind Adidas and Puma, two of the biggest global brands of athletic footwear. Adi and Rudi Dassler started their shoe business in their mother's laundry room and achieved almost instantaneous success. But by the end of World War II a vicious feud had torn the Dasslers apart, dividing their company and their family and launching them down separate, often contentious paths. Out of the fires of their animosity, two rival sneaker brands were born, brands that would revolutionize the world of professional sports, sparking astonishing behind-the-scenes deals, fabulous ad campaigns, and multimillion-dollar contracts for pro athletes, from Joe Namath to Muhammad All to David Beckham.

“As a history of how so much of the world came to be shod in running shoes, SNEAKER WARS is a book you’ll read at a sprint. Drawing from dozens of interviews and stacks of documents, Ms. Smit reconstructs an anecdote-rich history of competition, commercialism and corruption.” — Wall Street Journal

"Smit gets behind the business proposals, marketing plans, and constant dollar signs to focus on the human aspects of how these warring brands succeeded and why they faded. It is that human component that makes Sneaker Wars read like a modern cautionary tale for those apt to turn big business into the most dangerous of sports." —Washington Post

“SNEAKER WARS is great for understanding the ins and out of the industry.” — Bobbito Garcia

"Smit brings a keen reporter's eye to the schism between Puma and Adidas... the broader story of the red-hot global sneaker trade." —Conde Nast Portfolio

"In her impressive debut, business journalist Smit tears the laces off two beloved conglomer-ates.... A fast-moving tale about the machinations behind contemporary pop culture's most enduring footwear." —Kirkus Reviews

"What does David Beckham's superstardom have to do with a pair of warring Bavarian brothers in the early 1 900s? More than you think, according to this compelling book." —Time

Product details

• Publisher: ‎ Ecco (An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)
• Publishing Date: March 17, 2009
• Author: Barbara Smit
• Cover design: Hsu + Associates Cover
• Photographs: Benjamin Hill
• Language: ‎ English
• Paperback: ‎ 400 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎ 0061246581
• ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0061246586

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