Every summer I go out on the lake in my rowing scull. I love gliding across the surface-something mesmerizing about the ripples coming off the oars. 

I'm enjoying learning about the camaraderie and  thrill of racing in regattas and listening to this true account...

Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.