"Life is a metaphor for Rowing"
937189
What a Great Book. I couldn't put it down. The detail Peter Mallory uses to describe races actually gave me that nervous feeling of sitting ready for the start. Bravo to Mr. Mallory!
3739857
This book is about not only the incredible talent, strength, and team work of rowing, but it is also about human nature, courage, and what we all want to be like when confronted with life's rough spots!  A must read for all...especially our younger generation!
3539554
As a former collegiate rower this book transported me.  If you ever rowed, still do, think you might, or are just interested in this wonderful sport you can't NOT read this book - enjoy!
968156
Thanks, DJ Brown, from reminding me of the most intense team sport I have ever participated in.  This is a story which needed to be told.  It reminded me much of lessons learned by rowing in college.  Great job.
4151722
Well-written and engaging from start to finish. You don't have to know anything about rowing in order to love this book. As long as you are a human being and are capable of feeling our universal struggle to lead happy lives, this book is for you. You will learn a few things along the way. But mostly you will love reading this book so much that you will want to share it with other people. I encourage you to experience the pleasure of reading this five-star book, "The Boys on the Boat."
2617693
As a rower and a coach I give Gordon's book two thumbs up!
His advice on every aspect of the stroke speaks to novice and intermediate rowers as well as veteran competitors. The graphs and analogies he includes to drive home his black-and-white approach to rowing clearly comes from an understanding of the sport after decades of experience.
This is not a book to be read just once or even once a year, instead it should be considered a guide to be referred to throughout the year. Whatever your problem is in the rowing shell, Gordon's book has the cure. It should be considered a medical journal for rowing!
4093851
This book gives a big picture of the socio-economic conditions in the early part of the 20th century.  It will also give you an appreciation of the sport of rowing -- and the artistry and effort that go into it.  Most of all is the endurance and rising of the human spirit.
3396680
Be aware you step into a metaphors of life's journey. Some will live their life to the full; others will look back and regret the opportunities they lacked enough insight to take. This book is a lesson for every person. It speaks of living fully and never letting go of your dreams. Look deeper than the story.
865356
Exhaustively researched and brilliantly written, this is the compelling story of 9 journeys from boyhood to manhood . It is about the magic that can happen when trust replaces fear and the sense of self is replaced by the cohesion of a team. The book presents rowing as a metaphor for life. Only in letting go of the ego can you find your spiritual center and all of the rich fulfillment that brings.
4855335
Dan Brown has told the story of the 1936 Olympic USA rowing triumph with precision and gripping narrative. Difficult to put down until finished.
387321
Being a rower myself, I felt that the description of the difficult training and the feeling of being in the boat was quite accurate.  The story is compelling and enjoyable, even if you already know the eventual outcome before you start reading the book. It's a great, inspiring story of how the West Coast rowing program not just came into its own, but also reaching the Olympic level.  Non-rowers will get an opportunity to peer into the window of this sport and feel some of the excitement.
3550051
The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, had its moments and does have a great message of never quit. However, I think that a more thought out plot than rowing, fishing, and reeling was in order, especially from an  author of Hemmingway's caliber. The story takes place in a fishing village  in Cuba and focuses around Santiago, an old man that has not caught a fish  in 84 days. He decides one day to go far out to sea in search for "the  big fish." When he finally hooks a marlin,it takes Santiago three days  to reel in a fish, proving his determination. However, on his way back to  shore, sharks eat the fish which is attatched to the boat. This is a great  example of irony, but the message that I got from the book was never give  up, and this event shot that out of the water and seemed confusing to me.  It was a very detailed book and I would recomed it to college students or  older.
2009497
This is a great story.  The best part is that it's true!  And it tells about the sport of rowing.  My father always talked about his crewing at college, and I finally understand some of the fine points of the sport.
2705718
I chose this book for my book club on the recommendation from a friend.mi was hesitant because I wondered how good a book about rowing could be. This book was excellently written and intertwined historical moments with the story of perseverance and shear will and determination.
454034
This has been my favorite book so far this year.  Well written and filled with thoughts regarding this sport and the rowers.
2618921
Superb and emotive descriptions of the real people involved, the physical and mental training that shaped this outstanding Olympic Gold Medal rowing team. My only time rowing was in a canoe on a quiet Florida river with one companion, my now ex husband (no, we didn't divorce because of the rowing), but even that bit of baby paddling opened my eyes to the focus that would be needed to crew.

Mr. Brown also doesn't hesitate to describe the hauntingly bleak home life, the darkness of the Depression and the Dust Bowl years, and the strength of character and commitment that drove each member of this team to victory beyond the medal stand in Hitler's Germany.

A customer suggested this book, and I wish I could remember his name to thank him personally.  My only way to d so now is to recommend Mr. Brown's excellent portrait to anyone who loves stories of athletes, of the Pacific Northwest, of accomplishment and survival in a tough time.
824570
I rowed crew in college, and have consistently incorporated time on an ergometer (rowing machine) into my gym routine ever since. All Ive ever used was a Concept 2 (which are excellent machines by the way). When I decided to buy one for my home, I was torn between my familiarity with the Concept 2, and the beauty and reputation of a machine by WaterRower. I decided to take a chance on the WaterRower. So glad I did.

The build quality is absolutely unparalleled. Opening the box, I was struck with the obvious care and craftsmanship that went into this thing. It was a similar experience to opening up a new Mac, but made of wood. Assembly was easy enough, and the instructions are incredibly clear and thorough. The illustrations are helpful, but I love that the accompanying text is detailed and easily understood. You can really tell the product was made in America, and the instructions were written by the people who actually made the thing, not translated six times along the way.

The most important part is the rowing experience. Here too, this thing excels. I had no idea how much this rower would evoke the feeling of rowing on water, but it really does. Its actually making me nostalgic every time I use it. I wake up early before work, open my garage door, and go for a row in the cool air. Im kind of thinking of joining a rowing club because of this machine.

Long story short - if you want a quality rowing machine, and you want as close to the experience of being on the water as you can get in the comfort of your own home, you cant possibly go wrong here. I really wish Id bought one of these years ago.