Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species...

Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America...

And today... Sneakers, by authors Howie Kahn and Alex French and designer Rodrigo Corral.

When a new seminal text arrives, we take notice. And this box-fresh 320-page volume that lies somewhere between glossy coffee table book, oral history and textbook is landing on bookshelves everywhere as we type.

Between these covers are over 100 interviews with some of the biggest players (on- and off-court) in the sneaker game—from legendary Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield, to high-fashion wunderkind Alexander Wang, to the likes of sporting greats Serena Williams and Kobe Bryant. 

The book dives headlong into the rise of sneaker culture from a cadre of enthusiasts to becoming a multi-billion dollar industry. There are historical accounts on events like the Lower East Side’s Great Sneaker Riot of 2005 (when the anticipation for a Jeff Staple designed shoe grew to a fever pitch on the sidewalks outside his shop) and behind-the-scenes intel on making Nike commercials with Michael Jordan. Plus countless glossy photos of some of the most beautiful and rare sneakers ever created.

The kind worthy of kicking up on your coffee table.