A Critical Analysis of Michael Jordan and the New Global CapitalismThroughout the history of business, there has been clear documentation of industry leaders finding something or someone as a pillar and foundation for their respective companies or societies; there is often one core product that keeps many companies afloat, even in tough times. Apple found its place in 2001 with the iPod. McDonald's has had the Big Mac since the late 1960s. Nike, however, found its gold mine in one person with Michael Jordan. Walter LaFeber's Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism charts young Michael Jordan's rise from his middle-class family in racist North Carolina to college and the NBA where he becomes an international sports icon. It tells the story of how Jordan catches the attention of ambitious Nike co-founder and CEO Phil Knight, and how he transforms himself from a young, rebellious black basketball player into the face of a multibillion-dollar corporation, extending his touch to all of the journey towards the most remote borders of Asia. LeFeber's book also delves into the darker issues and topics surrounding Jordan and Nike, such as race and sports and how they played a role during the scandals that surrounded MJ off the court along with the growth of Nike all abroad and their management of technological changes in production. facing criticism for their working practices. Walter LeFeber's book serves as a cornerstone reference for its content as it relates to race, black affairs, and the expansion of global capitalism since the late 20th century. As for race, it shows how race influenced middle class Michael Jordan at a young age and how he grew up to be the star he became, but still couldn't escape......the center of the card. .. the future of black business in America. Just by reading this book and seeing the future of business and the commodification of black culture since its first publication, most of the areas touched upon by the book provided accurate insight into how others have cashed in on black culture and how the black business. . An obvious example is that of George Foreman and his promotion of the Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine. Here's a black heavyweight boxer using not only his name and former athletic prowess to endorse a product, but, arguably, stereotypical blackness, with its affinity for unhealthy foods like hamburgers and hot dogs , to promote a product promotion for Salton, Inc., a company founded by Jews. Foreman, like Jordan, amassed a large fortune by promoting grills, but at the cost of selling black culture..