Adding to the "My Favorite Books" list

I know I wrote about this book before, but I just finished it and I have to add more comments.  Not often does a book grab me like this one did.  Even though I knew the ending, and yes they crew did win the Gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the story gripped me in the last chapters and I felt as if I were listening to it on the radio with Joyce and the rest of the family.

This book told the story not only of the Olympic team, but it also told the story of people, namely Joe Rantz.  He was older than my dad, but I could envision his story alongside what I know of Dad's early life.  Dad was 15 at the time of the 1936 Olympics.  Some of life's hardships that Joe faced I felt I could have heard about from Dad, although my grandparents were more loving that what Joe's folks were. Life was hard for them, and I felt myself nodding in understanding as the author conveyed the concern for money, the foraging for food, and the sparse living conditions that Joe endured.

I was also reminded of Dad's edict that hard work was necessary.  Dad was the only one of the Henderson children to graduate from high school, and he was determined that Greta and I do more---graduate from college.  He instilled in us the need for hard work and that nothing would ever be 'given' to us.  I would never be on a crew and I don't have the best physical strength (never have, never will), but I worked hard for my degrees and to be the best teacher I could be. I tried to instill in my daughters and also in my students that working hard was the only way to be successful---to be good and knowledgeable about what you were doing.  Nothing would be given to you.  You have to work for it. 

The Washington crew worked hard, they were determined, and they were successful.  They put everything they had into their goal.  They were a team.  They formed a well-oiled, smooth working unit that could not be defeated.  When one link in the chain was a little weak, the rest of the links because stronger.  That is what they did.   Teams today, families today, even friendships today could learn much about the results when the components truly work together selflessly for the common goal.

Also I felt like I had connections that made the book more real.  Karen and Paul live on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle.   Former office neighbor and good friend Leo was born and raised in Seattle.  One of my favorite student teachers Sarah lives in Seattle where her husband is an engineer for Boehing.  And I traveled to Seattle for my first and only PTK International Conference.  If we ever visit there again, going to the University of Washington to see the crew house and the Husky Clipper will be on the 'to visit' list.

This is one book that I just couldn't put down in the final chapters.  I had to keep reading.  Even though I knew the ending, I found myself urging the crew on in the final yards of the race, the tension increasing as I hoped they would edge past the Italian and German boats before the finish line.

In addition the look at the history from Joe's perspective was enlightening.  Knowing how much can be hidden from the public about what really goes on in a country is, quite frankly, horrifying and chilling.  More people should remember the adage that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.  I hope my generation and the generations coming behind us don't forget the world as it was for the men and women depicted in this book.

There it is....a book recommendation.  Non-fiction.  A little technical in spots but I learned more about crew, wood, history, and people.  The Boys in the Boat.  Read it.

The Boys in the Boat