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It's How We Play the Game: Build a Business. Take a Stand. Make a Difference. Hardcover – October 8, 2019

by Ed Stack (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 173 ratings
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For readers of Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog and Howard Schultz’s Onward, an inspiring memoir from the CEO of DICK’s Sporting Goods about building a multibillion dollar business, coming to the defense of embattled youth sports programs, and taking a principled—and highly controversial—stand against the types of guns that are too often used in mass shootings and other tragedies.

Ed Stack’s memoir tells the story of a complicated founder and an ambitious son—one who transformed a business by making it about more than business, conceiving it as a force for good in the communities it serves.

In 1948, Ed Stack’s father started Dick’s Bait and Tackle in Binghamton, New York. Ed Stack bought the business from his father in 1984, and grew it into the largest sporting goods retailer in the country, with 800 locations and close to $9 billion in sales. The transformation Ed wrought wasn’t easy: economic headwinds nearly toppled the chain twice. But DICK’s support for embattled youth sports programs earned the stores surprising loyalty, and the company won even more attention when, in the wake of yet another school shooting—at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida—it chose to become the first major retailer to pull all semi-automatic weapons from its shelves, raise the age of gun purchase to twenty-one, and, most strikingly, destroy the assault-style-type rifles then in its inventory.

With vital lessons for anyone running a business and eye-opening reflections about what a company owes the people it serves, It’s How We Play the Game is “a compelling narrative…In a genre that can frequently be staid, Mr. Stack’s corporate biography is deeply personal…[Features] surprising openness [and] interesting and humorous anecdotes” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scribner
  4. Publication date
    October 8, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982116919
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982116910
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
173 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book interesting, captivating, and compelling. They describe the story as well-told, relatable, and a great story about humble beginnings. Readers also praise the leadership as inspiring, humble, and moral.

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ReadabilityStory qualityLeadershipEntertainment value
13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, captivating, and compelling. They say it's informative and inspiring.

"...There is some of that but not enough to detract from what is a really interesting and well told story...." Read more

"...But, besides all of the hometown references, it was very captivating business book on a small family own business growing and becoming a national..." Read more

"It's How We Play the Game is the insightful, entertaining, and informative story behind a great business success...." Read more

"I absolutely loved this book. Great book about the life of Ed stack and the business of Dicks sporting goods. A real business genius...." Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the story interesting, well-told, and relatable. They also say it's a great read that keeps their attention the whole way through.

"...but not enough to detract from what is a really interesting and well told story...." Read more

"This is a great story about what hard work, smart decisions and perseverance can achieve. It was a really compelling story about what faces..." Read more

"...Simply an incredible story." Read more

"This was a well written story...." Read more

5 customers mention "Leadership"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the leadership in the book inspirational, humble, and moral. They say it will restore their faith in humanity. Readers also mention the book is honest and insightful.

"...Everyone knew and loved the Stack family. They were hard working, humble, ambitious, and fun...." Read more

"...I highly recommend this book. It will restore your faith in humanity." Read more

"...story brings you into the mind and heart of a courageous and inspirational leader...." Read more

"Must read!! What courage in changing scary times!!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and funny.

"...They were hard working, humble, ambitious, and fun.Through Ed‘s leadership, Dicks grew larger than anyone could ever imagine...." Read more

"It's How We Play the Game is the insightful, entertaining, and informative story behind a great business success...." Read more

"Candid. Funny. New appreciation for DICK’S Sporting Goods." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

A Southern Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Way More than Just another Business Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
I read this book only because it was our guy's book club choice. I was afraid it was to be yet one more of those business motivational tomes. You know, it is all about leadership , discipline, "getting back in the game", focus, blah, blah, blah. There is some of that but not enough to detract from what is a really interesting and well told story. The part of the book about going from a two store operation to a mega national chain was intriguing, and when Stack gets into all that went into their decision to stop selling assault style weapons, it got even better. One thing I found interesting was many of his stories involve people whoa are still very alive. In that they weren't portrayed as good guys, leant a measure of credibility. Also, the author's discussions of the deadly competition in retail was informative if unsettling. So, all I all I found it worth my time and recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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B.K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Never Forget Where You Come From
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
I just started this new book that begins with Dick’s small bait and tackle that my dad frequented when I was small. I went to Binghamton North High with Ed Stack and was good friends with his sister. Everyone knew and loved the Stack family. They were hard working, humble, ambitious, and fun.

Through Ed‘s leadership, Dicks grew larger than anyone could ever imagine. Yet, the Stack family stayed true to what makes people good humans. They understand the working class struggle. Dicks now has a large distribution center east of Binghamton and just outside of the Eastside neighborhood where the Stacks grew up. This facility has helped our formally factory dependent area survive.

The true mortality of the Stacks was just revealed to America. After all of the mass shootings, Eddie and his team did what is right for humanity and not only stopped selling semiautomatic weapons but destroyed them. He, his team, and his family are American heroes. They are a positive example of doing the right thing even when it is difficult and costs you. “It’s How We Play the Game: Build a Business. Take a Stand. Make a Difference.” The Stacks make us humble and show us a path to corporate good. In a world of capitalists with too much hubris and not enough morals, the Stacks and Dicks stand out. I celibate their prosperity, their giving back, their humility, and their moral leadership.
5 people found this helpful
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Brad Kaminsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent business book
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
Having lived in Binghamton all my life, this was an especially interesting book to read. It brought back a lot of childhood memories. We bought all of our sporting goods
At the court street store. I remember seeing Terry Bradshaw doing their advertisement, and thinking "wow, they are getting big". But, besides all of the hometown references, it was very captivating business book on a small family own business growing and becoming a national powerhouse
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Daniel
4.0 out of 5 stars Learned a lot about sports retail
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
Great book about tenacity and managing a sports store. Don't agree with the approach but learned a lot about sports retail. You need to make sure you define the value proposition of your store. For Dick's it's being the serious sports store for the pros, enthusiasts, and everyone. Learned a lot about getting popular products to sell in your stores and maintaining business relationships. After this book, I have a much better understanding about Dick's.
One person found this helpful
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Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars An American Success story!
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a great story about what hard work, smart decisions and perseverance can achieve.
It was a really compelling story about what faces entrepreneurs in growing a business.
The author paints a picture of what it takes to build a business and his own personal revelations along the way.
It was a great read and kept my attention the whole way through. I would highly recommend it!
One person found this helpful
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Jose
5.0 out of 5 stars A lesson on business, but most importantly, principles
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Ed Stack’s story of Dick’s Sporting Goods humble beginnings is nothing short of fantastic. As a business major, I loved the detailed account of Dick’s expansion - the highs and the lows of the company, the mistakes made and the lessons learned. But what I truly appreciate from this book is the conviction of the CEO to take a stand for what he believed was right during an incredibly controversial time in the U.S. involving the sale of guns, and gun laws and regulations.

Ed Stack mentioned time and time again that he loves a street fight - but throughout the book, you can’t help but appreciate his immense heart. This was a product of how he was brought up, surrounded by people (full of imperfections) who knew that in life, money is a great tool but what really matters in a person does not have a price: principles.
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Tony P.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Story Behind A Great Business Success
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
It's How We Play the Game is the insightful, entertaining, and informative story behind a great business success. Ed Stack convincingly makes the case for the connection between commitment to community and business success. A good read for both business people and the general reader.
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book4all
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read--compelling and relatable.
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed "It's How We Play the Game". The humble origins and growing pains shared make the success of Dick's relatable and remarkable at the same time. Our political climate has made it difficult to very simply "do the right thing". Its nice when Corporate America can be hilighted as a good example.
2 people found this helpful
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