We bought and read this phenomenal book, and will now break it down for you. First off, it’s hardcover, with a protective sleeve and sliding cardboard carrier. It was written by sneakerhead Jay Lawrence, who compiled hundreds of hours of research and interviews with pertinent sneaker people in order to create this comprehensive book. The book is titled The Encyclopedia of Air Jordans: The Complete History and Definitive Guide.
Every Air Jordan, in every color ever made (with high-quality photos to boot), fills the 500+ page book. Included with each shoe is its history, its significance to the sneaker game, and nicknames, including an alphabetical price range guide for each and every shoe. Also featured at the end of the book is a glossary of sneaker slang and terminology so people new to sneaker culture can read with relevance.
The book was made possible by crowdfunding; Lawrence’s Kickstarter campaign raised over $112k — quadruple his goal! The foreword was written by Detroit sneakerhead Mark Bostic, who not only was kind enough to open up his massive sneaker collection for the project, but who also recently retweeted a decades-old Eastbay catalog. All 5,000 copies of newest version have been sold; however, there are plenty of resellers out there if you’re persistent.
We would like to thank Jay and Mark for the countless hours and sneakerheaded dedication it took to complete this project. As an athletic apparel company, specifically a retailer that sells shoes, we appreciate and understand the significance of sneaker history, and enjoy the culture and joy that sneakers bring into people’s lives.
This book is amazing in detail….it’s an awesome read if you love sneakers in general.. I bought the first book and now I have this updated version. I never opened the original..LOL! ( HAD TO HAVE A SPARE )…But this updated version is just as good as the first. Definitely a collectors item or a nice book to have laying around in your man cave or sneaker closet.
Is the book available online? if so, where and how much? Thanks a lot, eastbay.com
Where can I but it?
Thank you! I truly appreciate this, I was honored to be a main focus of the Encyclopedia Of Air Jordan’s by Jay L.
Thanks again,
JumpmanBostic
This book is too dope! Sneaker head to the max…I have this on my reading table, along with other magazine subscriptions and this is always the first book picked up from the table when I have visitors..”Real sneakerheads will love it!!!
We bought two copies of the first and missed the last campaign by a few days . The second copy arrived a few days ago. Our immediate reaction was just Wow! The write ups, details, and photos compiled are a thing of beauty. I know most young collectors love new fresh kicks. However, there is something special with OG sneakers. The OG photos are priceless and are made for print IMO. This is a book that must be held and felt to appreciate. If you never stored an Eastbay magazine back in the 90s, then this is not the book for you. I’m glad we obtained a copy of this special book of Air Jordan history.
All 5,000 copies of newest version have been sold already, however, you may be able to find a copy looking around online.
Dear Eastbay, Or anyone who may know… How many pairs of Jordan’s have actually been made?? I know there are many!! The originals n retros but there are so many others, training, casual, n basketball ones… But I’d like to know exactly how many have been made?? Thanks