Let My People Go Surfing
The Education of a Reluctant BusinessmanIncluding 10 More Years of Business Unusual
by Yvon Chouinard
10 more
More Recommenders
“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Source →Recommended by 12 notable people, including Nat Eliason and Patrick O'Shaughnessy
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Reading Profile
Should I read this?
Part adventure memoir, part business manifesto, this book reads like a conversation with a stubborn idealist who built a company against conventional wisdom. The most useful sections detail Patagonia’s unorthodox practices—from on-site childcare to radical supply-chain transparency. But the narrative can meander, and the environmental preaching sometimes overwhelms the business insights. Readers seeking a step-by-step guide to conscious capitalism will find more inspiration than instruction, as Chouinard’s success often seems inseparable from his unique climbing-bum ethos.
Read this if...
- •A product manager at an outdoor gear company who feels pressure to cut corners for cost and wants a north-star example of building quality and durability into every decision.
- •A small business owner struggling to align personal environmental values with growth targets, who needs to see how one leader refused to separate the two.
- •A mid-career corporate executive feeling burned out by spreadsheet culture, curious whether a company can succeed while letting employees surf when the waves are good.
Skip this if...
- •You’ll likely put it down when the memoir-y climbing stories outweigh the business lessons and you realize the book isn’t structured like a traditional business guide.
- •Annoying if you want concrete financial metrics or benchmarks; Chouinard often hand-waves profits in favor of philosophical declarations.
- •Skip if you find anti-consumerist rhetoric grating; the book repeatedly challenges the very idea of buying more, which may feel preachy if you’re not already sympathetic.
In his longawaited memoir, Yvon Chouinardlegendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc.shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. From his youth as the son of a French Canadian blacksmith to the thrilling, amb...
Before You Buy
Reading Specifications
Difficulty:medium
Audience Fit
- A product manager at an outdoor gear company who feels pressure to cut corners for cost and wants a north-star example of building quality and durability into every decision.
- A small business owner struggling to align personal environmental values with growth targets, who needs to see how one leader refused to separate the two.
- A mid-career corporate executive feeling burned out by spreadsheet culture, curious whether a company can succeed while letting employees surf when the waves are good.
- You’ll likely put it down when the memoir-y climbing stories outweigh the business lessons and you realize the book isn’t structured like a traditional business guide.
- Annoying if you want concrete financial metrics or benchmarks; Chouinard often hand-waves profits in favor of philosophical declarations.
- Skip if you find anti-consumerist rhetoric grating; the book repeatedly challenges the very idea of buying more, which may feel preachy if you’re not already sympathetic.
Check formats, pricing, and availability options for Kindle, physical print, or audiobooks directly.
View available editions on AmazonKey themes
Why recommended
Recommended by 14 sources and appears in Surfing, Entrepreneur, and Most Recommended Books.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Kenton Cool
“"Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman" Yvon Chouinard's book about business philosophy & Patagonia is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read: dude lives up to inch of his philosophy (and Patagonia products are built to work & last). | 15) Highly recommend reading Yvon’s book “Let my people go surfing” for more insights. | @SecondS37175185 A fantastic book. | @gonsalves_r It's one of the only business books that really resonated with me. Especially the vision setting stuff. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard?s ?Let my people go surfing? is a really great business book. | Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book. | Totally epic book….. | “Work toward simplicity, replace complex Technology, with knowledge. The more you know, the less you need.” A very profound closing paragraph in Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s excellent book “Let my people go surfing””
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Accidental Presidents by Jared Cohen. Recommended by 10 sources.
“Accidental Presidents offers eight narrative portraits of men who succeeded to the U.S. presidency without election, using anecdote-rich scenes and readable context to show how personality and circumstance interact with office power. It’s strongest as a set of self-contained stories that make succession stakes concrete for non-specialist readers; it does not prioritize dense archival argument or exhaustive methodology, so expect some interpretive generalizations and repeated themes across cases. Use it for fast historical orientation rather than scholarly deep-dives.”
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How recommendation signals are reviewed
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.