China-2008

a true rowing portrait

4 von 5 Punkten
It is incredible that David Halberstam, a non-rower and outsider to the cliquish or solitary types found in boathouses, was able to write such a penetrating and accurate picture of the amateurs in this book.
His descriptions of the feeling of rowing, of ``swing,'' and of the bizarre politics of single sculling are right on the money. They are recognizable to long-time rowers and comprehensible to those who have never rowed before. His character depictions are at times almost frighteningly dead-on.
To put it succinctly, Halberstam gets everything right in this book. If you are a rower or any other sort of athlete, or if you want to read a masterfully told story of competition, read this book.

A fantastic read

5 von 5 Punkten
Reading this book gives one a complete idea on what it is like row and how it can take over one's life. It shows what dedication a rower has to this sport. This book also shows the disappointment and pain that is experienced during the course of one's rowing career.

The best sports book.

5 von 5 Punkten
This is flat out the best sports book I have ever read. If you have never rowed or seen a race, this book is still riveting. An amazing story.

Inspirational! I re-read it every few months.

5 von 5 Punkten
I love this book. This book inspires me when I am working out on my ergometer. It made me a fan of rowing. I enjoyed the way the author went into each rowers backround. I re-read this every few months and am never disappointed.

Very good book, well-woven stories

4 von 5 Punkten
Halberstam really gets into the minds & hearts and gives names and faces and histories to these traditionally anonymous competitors. Very deep and probing and moving, and the racing/action scenes are well-written. Glad to see a focus on a minor sport, where the athletes aren't stars or icons (unlike Halberstam's latest offering on Jordan).I compete in lifeguard rowing events--much different style of rowing than sculling, but I use an ergometer to help train. While reading this book my 2500 meter erg times dropped by 10 seconds or more, not from any form or style tips but just by recalling the focus, dedication and motivation of Halberstam's rowers.

Triumph: The untold story of Jesse Owens und Hitlers Olympics

5 von 5 Punkten
Ein Buch mit überraschenden Details über die Vorbereitungen der Olympischen Spiele 1936 in Berlin, die sportlichen Vorbereitungen Jesse Owens in den USA, die politischen Einflussnahmen der olympischen Komitees, im Besonderen das Wirken des damaligen OC-Präsidenten der USA, Avery Brundage. Bevor zu viele Sach- und Literaturhinweise das Buch zu ersticken drohen, wird die wunderbare und bislang nicht veröffentlichte Geschichte der Freundschaft zwischen Jesse Owens und dem deutschen Vorzeigeathleten Luz Long aus Leipzig erzählt. Luz Long unterlag Jesse Owens im Weitsprungfinale 1936. Hat A.Hitler nach Jesse Owens Sieg mit einer leichten Handbewegung seinen Respekt erwiesen oder war es eine abfällige Bewegung? Hierüber wird ausdauernd diskutiert, hingegen Jesse Owens dazu seine eigene feste Auffassung hatte.
Bislang nur im Englischen erschienen, für junge Menschen ein Zeitzeugnis ersten Ranges über politische und sportliche Wettkämpfe im Vorfeld des 2.Weltkrieges, weltweitem Rassenwahn und der eigentlichen Entstehungsgeschichte des Satzes "The games must go on."