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The Adventure of Leadership: An Unorthodox Business Guide
Argues that most companies are overmanaged and underled, and shows how leadership can do more to improve an organization than all the management techniques in the world
1 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 2, 2026
Review update Jan 2026:
Updating my rating to a solid 4 stars. How often do you get to read the mind of a brilliant founder of such a massively successful company such as The North Face? I’ve enjoyed many of Hap’s interviews and podcasts, especially regarding his thoughts on quality (product, service, systems & processes) and people (employees).
He’s walked the walk and built something great in return—TNF’s success is no accident, but because of his prudent and enlightened leadership.
Surprisingly, my copy even came signed by him. Sometimes I get these rare gems when buying used books online ;)
Original review Oct 2025:
3.5. Heavy on inspiration, but light on practical application. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good insights—especially the daring business risks, building a company around quality as a guiding principle, as well as the financing and governing challenges faced by The North Face’s founder—but overall, it reads as if it were written by a starry-eyed teenager (there‘s even a Jack Kerouac reference in one of the chapters).
It might be a better read for an outdoor nut who’s only a light reader—and a big fan of TNF—but I’ve just read too many similar books that were much, much better than this.
P.S. I’d give five stars to Chapter 5, on quality. If the entire book were written like this, it’d be a much better (and more valuable) read.
Updating my rating to a solid 4 stars. How often do you get to read the mind of a brilliant founder of such a massively successful company such as The North Face? I’ve enjoyed many of Hap’s interviews and podcasts, especially regarding his thoughts on quality (product, service, systems & processes) and people (employees).
He’s walked the walk and built something great in return—TNF’s success is no accident, but because of his prudent and enlightened leadership.
Surprisingly, my copy even came signed by him. Sometimes I get these rare gems when buying used books online ;)
Original review Oct 2025:
3.5. Heavy on inspiration, but light on practical application. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good insights—especially the daring business risks, building a company around quality as a guiding principle, as well as the financing and governing challenges faced by The North Face’s founder—but overall, it reads as if it were written by a starry-eyed teenager (there‘s even a Jack Kerouac reference in one of the chapters).
It might be a better read for an outdoor nut who’s only a light reader—and a big fan of TNF—but I’ve just read too many similar books that were much, much better than this.
P.S. I’d give five stars to Chapter 5, on quality. If the entire book were written like this, it’d be a much better (and more valuable) read.
November 2, 2012
The single best book ever written on the concept of leadership. Hap Klopp was the founder of The North Face and turned his head around concerning conventional wisdom in typical corporate companies. This book single handedly made me quick my corp job at a young age and go into business on my own. A must read for anyone in the business world!
August 12, 2008
This book was written by the founder of The North Face. One of my fave's. I may be biased since I know him a little bit. One of the most unorthodox books ever written on leadership for sure. It's hilarious and yet very educational. Love it!
December 21, 2007
This is one of my favorite leadership books as the author gives an inside look on how he led his own company and the results that were achieved.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews