I appreciated this book and it made me think. (What more could you want?) The first half tells the story of Patagonia; I appreciated the fast narrative. The second half describes the philosophies that govern Patagonia today; this part made me think. Throughout, Chouinard's voice is clear and simple, thus effective at saying precisely what he wants. Its conversational, but that's what you'd want from a seasoned man with a story to tell.
The book made me think because Chouinard generalized about a group to which I belong: evangelical Christians. These people, to him, are the root of: environmental destruction, overly rigid modes of life, and the stupid refusal to transform anything. Why do my people have this reputation? Whether his views are reality or not, something causes them. Christians are supposed to reflect Christ's love for people and for the earth. When we carry around the reputational baggage Chouinard sees, we fail.
So in response, I'd like to let everyone know that I'm an evangelical Christian. I support giving money to environmental and conservation causes. My company will have beliefs. And I like to surf.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard