Having no interest in Crew and rowing, I was reluctant to read this book but the large number of great reviews drew me in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was about much more than just boys on a boat. It was mostly about Joe Rantz who overcame an extremely hard, loveless, and poverty stricken childhood to become part of an amazing story in American history. I couldn't put it down and it brought me to tears of both sorrow and joy. I also unexpectedly found crew to be an interesting sport.