Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Kindle
$11.49

Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$16.99

$16.99 with 43 percent savings

List Price: $29.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 16. Order within 15 hrs 22 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

$$16.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day easy returns

Returns

30-day easy returns

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$12.49

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

EX-LIBRARY; has stamps/stickers/markings on dust jacket, cover and immediate inside pages. Dust jacket and cover otherwise shows at most minor wear. Pages are otherwise unmarked. Tight binding. EX-LIBRARY; has stamps/stickers/markings on dust jacket, cover and immediate inside pages. Dust jacket and cover otherwise shows at most minor wear. Pages are otherwise unmarked. Tight binding. See less

FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 15 hrs 22 mins

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$16.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by Academic Overflow and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (93) from $6.95 & FREE Shipping

Follow the author

Paul Van Doren

+ Follow

More books from this author

Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of VansMerchant Video

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

VIDEO

Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of Vans Hardcover – April 27, 2021

by Paul Van Doren (Author)

4.7 467 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.99","priceAmount":16.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"i0hrfXY50GC5TVlfqGuIUuW9X2rq%2BZdX7VuTyIL0wKrQBkev3fXYevY1xVJXpLp3UODYwgRv3A0ckQR2R40BDe4GNabEUhfRa1zMSEJ9ekDRMzmzXlKDzjgMUjUHB%2FUVwe%2F84ILnAX1YRROSiQI1aw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.49","priceAmount":12.49,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"49","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"i0hrfXY50GC5TVlfqGuIUuW9X2rq%2BZdXVeTYACHyXax9o6cRTwgOFmqmKoneVISMqSub%2F6OwtmJt5MLq%2BR2%2B3ZzYigyrVvE5BHKH%2BEptnH5Tx4CrpEasQp8ouSbYMsPRFVa5GbebeeCaR%2BRBPccdbXsq2sPvqKkaEdGknOpxsABswBzXFuFYzg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

In the tradition of bestsellers such as Shoe Dog, Authentic is a surprisingly candid, compelling memoir by a high school dropout who went on to establish one of the world's most iconic brands.

You may not have known their creator, but you certainly know the shoes: for more than four generations, Vans shoes have been synonymous with cool.

Now in Authentic, a memoir written by Paul Van Doren and published just before his May 2021 death, the charismatic founder of Vans shares his story of heading West and capturing the American dream.

Authentic is a celebration of Van Doren’s remarkable life and the iconic brand he built, beloved by skateboarders, creatives, and fans everywhere for its laid-back, colorful SoCal vibe, and famous for its people-oriented company culture.

In Authentic, he shares his unlikely journey from high-school dropout to sneaker-industry legend. A blue-collar kid with no higher education and zero retail experience, Van Doren started out as a 16-year-old “service boy” at a local rubber factory. Over the next few decades, he leveraged a knack for numbers, a genius for efficiency, and the know-how to make a great canvas tennis shoe into an all-American success story. What began as a family shoe business has today evolved into a globally recognized brand with billions of dollars of annual revenue.

Van Doren is not just an entrepreneur, he’s an innovator. In 1966, when the first House of Vans store opened, there were no stand-alone retail stores just for sneakers. Paul’s bold experiments in product design, distribution, and marketing (Why not sell custom shoes? Single shoes?), aided by legions of fans — skateboarders, surfers, even Sean Penn wearing Vans’ famous checkerboard slip-on shoe in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High — made Vans a household name. But there was also back-breaking work, a shocking bankruptcy, family turmoil, and a profound shift in how customers think about athletic shoes.

The book details Van Doren’s personal life, but also hard-won business lessons learned over six turbulent decades in the shoe trade: the importance of deep-rooted values, of improvisation, of vision (and revision), and above all, of valuing people over profits.

Authentic is Paul Van Doren’s written legacy and his lessons for the innovators of tomorrow.

Bracingly forthright and totally entertaining, Authentic is a business memoir by an American original.

Frequently bought together

Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of Vans

$16.99

Get it as soon as Friday, May 17

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys

$12.79

Get it as soon as Friday, May 17

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$6.74

Get it as soon as Friday, May 17

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Choose items to buy together.

Phil Knight
59,319
Hardcover
155 offers from $2.96
Joe Coulombe
742
Paperback
76 offers from $7.52
Betsy Gordon
79
Hardcover
53 offers from $19.29
Mike Evans
183
Hardcover
42 offers from $4.89
Jonathan Mehring
375
Hardcover
54 offers from $9.57
Alice Schroeder
4,339
Paperback
129 offers from $2.59

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Van Doren is the founder of Vans, the world's most groundbreaking shoe brand. He led the company from its inception in 1965 until 1988. Two of his children are still leaders at Vans. He worked as a valued brand ambassador until his passed away in May of 2021

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vertel Publishing (April 27, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164112024X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1641120241
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.38 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #183,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #40 in Fashion & Textile Business
- #353 in Company Business Profiles (Books)
- #582 in Biographies of Business & Industrial Professionals

Customer Reviews:
4.7 467 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Paul Van Doren

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

467 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Jay G. Mccolister

Must have after listening to The Nine Club

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024

Verified Purchase

After listening to his son, Steve, on The Nine Club I went out and bought this and another book about Vans. Steve was such a good guest and talked about his Dad building the company. I can't wait to read it.

Helpful

Ezra D. Schneier

An Excellent Story About Vans, Creating an Authentic Brand and Focus

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022

Verified Purchase

Paul Van Doren gives us his clear business advice and perspective. He shows us the ups and downs of Vans. With candor and specific suggestions, he tells the story in a way that is like sitting across the dining room table from this man. While Van Doren did not have a high school diploma, he built a successful business and shares the lessons learned on that journey. A great read that is sure to give everyone an idea or two, or at least remind us about what it takes to make a successful company.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Heather MacDonald

Is it even possible to love Vans more?!

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have been a loyal Vans wearer since junior high in the late 80s. 30+ years later, I am STILL wearing Vans! And my kids are wearing Vans too! I feel connected to the spirit of Vans, especially since having my own pair of custom Vans made a few years back. In Paul's memoir, I learned of the origin of the custom-made Vans and how it was an early and integral part of the business. Paul Van Doren's life story is fascinating read for lifelong fans, business leaders, shoe addicts, and everyone in between. He knows his successes and acknowledges his flaws and mis-steps, presenting a sense of humility. I cannot help but love Vans now even more than I did prior to reading the book!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Cheri Weber

worth reading

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

very cool book about the history of Vans, which I have been wearing for 35 years or so!

Helpful

Jay James

A Great Business Book and Memoir

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2023

Verified Purchase

Paul Van Doren's straightforward story telling and common sense lessons make this a good read for any manager, and every Vans shoes lover.

Helpful

Rita Pescador

Best Self-made Company Story

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2022

Verified Purchase

Paul shared such wonderful story by reliving his personal and business ups and downs. It’s a true testament of his success even when the chips were down. This should be a required read for all high school students.

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

Even if you care nothing for shoes or fashion, this is a well written life story of a man who has his priorities right in the face of adversity.

And how he passed this spirit to his family and a company that to this day holds the “Van Doren Spirit” as a core reason to do their work and save some kindness to pass along to others.

You need to read this book.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

James G Colistra

Seriously loved this book!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

Business memoirs are my favorite and this was by far one of the best, if not THE best one I’ve ever read. I felt like I was along for the ride from the inception to where it stands today as one of America’s most iconic brands of all-time. Well done!!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

RAMON I.

Muy entretenido y con consejos sumamente prácticos y aplicables

Reviewed in Mexico on March 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

La vida de Van Doren es muy interesante, llena de anécdotas entretenidas y con consejos aplicables a la vida y los negocios. Muy recomendable, quizá no está al nivel de Shoe Dog de Phil Knight pero si cercano.

Translate review to English

Amazon Customer

Great book

Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

Interested in reading about the Vans founders