The amateurs

In this book, David Halberstam focuses on the 1984 single sculls trials in Princeton, detailing the lives and struggles of four young rowers as they compete for the right to represent the United States in the 1984 Olympics.

The narrative explores the physical pain, mental toughness, and personal sacrifices these athletes endure, set against the backdrop of a sport that offers no financial rewards but immense personal fulfillment.

Halberstam's writing combines vivid sportswriting with compelling narrative skills, providing an in-depth look at the world of amateur rowing and the characters that inhabit it.