an epic true-life journey to the heart of Hitler's Berlin
611 pages
English language
Published Dec. 30, 2013 by W F Howes Ltd.
This is the story of Joe Rantz, a charismatic young man born dirt poor in the woods of Washington State, who dreams of escaping the challenges of the Great Depression, and a complicated family life full of painful memories. What follows is an extraordinary journey, as Joe and 8 other young men exchange the sweat and graft and dust of ordinary life for the purer rigours of sport at its very highest level - a journey at the end of which lies a gold medal rowing race at the Berlin Olympics of 1936, in front of Hitler himself.
I'm a former rower who's aware of history and more critically, appreciates good characters.
This book covers an absolutely incredible story with very little joy or nuance. I respect it for capturing some history that would have likely been lost, but regret it didn't do more to bring the challenges the characters faced to the page.
