Full Text Review(s)
"Whether or not, as the author says, "Twice as many sneakers are sold as other sorts of shoes," their popularity makes them a good choice for this introduction to athletic shoes and the global trade involved in their manufacture and marketing. From the How Are They Made? series, this large-format book organizes information into double-page spreads. Four deal with the multi-stage manufacturing process. Others present topics such as "The History of Sneakers" (featuring a timeline beginning in 700 B.C.E.), "Raw Materials for Sneakers" (accompanied by a world map showing countries producing significant quantities of rubber, leather, and oil, as well as those manufacturing the shoes), and "Sneakers and the Environment" (briefly discussing industrial pollution, factory working conditions, and recycling programs). A typical page offers a paragraph or more of informative text as well as a color photo and, perhaps, a small sidebar. The final spread offers "Questions to Think About" and a glossary. A practical book on modern shoemaking."