” After twenty years, I had learned every aspect of the sneaker business. I could make them in my sleep and suggested starting a small sneaker factory in Southern California.”

This memoir by the founder of Vans is my bittersweet summer memory for 2021 and forever on. Mostly sweet. Premillennial Vans-heads will find Authentic extra nice because it covers just about every event along the company’s timeline from the days of being a Californian specialty to the gigantic global present. Sadly, Paul’s Van Doren’s death in May left an indelible legacy in the American shoe story, and as these chapters tell, an irreplaceable family presence of which the history of Vans includes the many dedicated members of—Paul’s sisters and brothers who helped make the operation possible in the analog days. Motivational as well as informational—anyone who’s ever enjoyed their shoes, or daydreams about canvas tongues and metal eyelets—would find this a great gift. From Braintree Massachusetts to southern California, thoughts on unions, efficient systems, some sad parts but lots of happy ones, a horse race or two—It’s all here. And There’s a picture gallery! For just under 300 pages you get to hang out with the man who started something huge. I was positively obsessed with Sk8 His and Old Skools in the 1990s and couldn’t put this down. The original California Vans hand-vulcanized with the super-sticky rubber soles are a special step in the evolution of an enduring style and we couldn’t think of a radder way to honor Van Doren than having had the pleasure to read Authentic.