"The Boys in the Boat"

My January book club recommendation is “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. There is a movie currently playing in the theatres that I also recommend you seeing.

This book was given to me by a friend in the midst of the divorce. I chose to read it when I needed a more lighthearted book because of all the heavier, self help recommendations had come my way as well.

Growing up Joe felt ostracized and disposable by his father and stepmother to the point he finally left. It was during the time of The Depression that brought a lot of uncertainty. Many felt as if they did not have control over their own lives.

I loved reading about the “eight-oared rowing crew that represented the United Stares in rowing at the 1936 Summer Olympics.” The team barely beat out Italy and a Germany, where the games were being held.

It was amazing to learn about the Washington team that consisted of kids from “lower-middle-class families and had to struggle to earn their way through school during the depths of the Depression.” As a reader we learn about the importance of each person role on the row team and how important their synchronization in rowing was.

Of course, rhetorical backstory of how “the Nazis successfully covered up the evidence of their harsh and inhumane treatment of the Jews and other minorities.”

There even duped the US Olympic Committee.

After reading the book and movie I felt so much patriotism and gratitude for the time of life I am living. I was reminded that although things were hard for my boys and me that we could still come out on top. I too felt like I didn’t have much control over my life but I learned to find the things I could and to do something about that.

What did you like best about this book?

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