The Red Rose Crew: A True Story of Women, Winning, and the Water [Paperback]

Daniel J. Boyne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2001

More than twenty years before Mia Hamm led the U.S. womens soccer team to win the 1999 World Cup, a group of amazing women rowed their way to international success, battling sexual prejudice, bureaucracy, and male domination in one of the most grueling and competitive sports. Now their gripping story of bravery, and determination is told in The Red Rose Crew.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Boyne (Essential Sculling), a former women's varsity rowing coach at Tufts University, has written an exhilarating story about the early days of the U.S. women's national rowing team. Noting that society in the 1970s was radically different from today's, the author details some of the obstacles faced by women attempting to enter the male-dominated sport of rowing, especially in the Ivy League. The reader also learns a great deal about the complexity of rowing eights, including the technique and teamwork involved. Boyne's story takes us to the 1975 World Championships, where the U.S. women's team surprised the rowing world with a silver medal, carries forward to the 1976 Olympics, and concludes with a where-are-they-now section. Well written, direct, and effective, this book conveys the rowers' and coaches' skill, tenacity, energy, and enthusiasm for their sport. Recommended for public libraries, especially where rowing is popular.AKathy Ruffle, Coll. of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George, BC
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A thrilling account of the U.S. Women's Crew as it prepared to compete in the 1975 World Championship in rowing . . ." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Well written, direct, and effective, this book conveys the rowers' and the coaches' skill, tenacity, energy, and enthusiasm . . ." -- Library Journal

"With supple prose and pinpoint anecdotes, Boyne tells a story of transformation." -- Ellen Clegg, Boston Globe

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786889861
• ISBN-13: 978-0786889860
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,728,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel J. Boyne is the author of Kelly: A Father, a Son, an American Quest(Mystic), The Red Rose Crew: A True Story of Women, Winning and the Water (Hyperion/Lyons), and Essential Sculling (The Lyons Press). He has also written articles for The Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Magazine, Double Take, Wooden Boat, and Gray's Sporting Journal, among others. Most of his writing has concerned itself with the interplay between sport and society, and he has often focused on groups or individuals who have used sport as a means to change their social status.

He currently lives in Cambridge with his wife and daughter, and works at Harvard University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Red Rose Crew, February 20, 2001

By 

MacKenzie Smith (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Red Rose Crew : A True Story of Women, Winning, and the Water (Hardcover)

Being a female rower, especially an older one, has many challenges... and rewards. Something I've learned about from personal experience. They're difficult to communicate with those who aren't involved with the sport (the risk of terminal boredom being very high) but form an incredible bond with those who are. This book, on the experiences of the pioneers of women's rowing in the 70's, tells it like it is, and makes it fascinating. Dan Boyne has recreated the whole experience of these women, and it's an experience that is, fortunately or unfortunately, not so far from the present day. It's an impressive addition to the tiny canon of rowing-lit, and even more importantly to the growing canon of books about women athletes and competitors, and what it takes to be in the game. A riveting read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than 'The Amateurs for Women', October 18, 2000

By 

Blair Crawford (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Rose Crew : A True Story of Women, Winning, and the Water (Hardcover)

I picked this book up expecting a vaguely enjoyable read but was quickly drawn into what is a hugely compelling story about women breaking through the prejudicial boundaries around their sport to record a historical result against the female(?) crews of Russia and Eastern Europe. Dan Boyne cleverly weaves the stories of the very different characters that made up the crew throughout the book skillfully drawing them together at the end. His writing is first rate and as someone who has lived in both the UK and Boston, US - the main locales for this book - I found it well researched and credible Rower or non-rower, male or female this is a terrific read

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Christmas gift for rowers, December 18, 2000

By 

Susan Phillips (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Red Rose Crew : A True Story of Women, Winning, and the Water (Hardcover)

I just finished reading Boyne's latest book, the Red Rose Crew. It's fantastic. Boyne's lively and engaging style is perfect for this kind of history. Red Rose Crew is both informative and inspiring. I've been rowing for 10 years now, and I've recommended Red Rose Crew to everyone in my rowing club.Boyne's book is sure to motivate rowers of all ages and skill levels. Boyne's account of the 1975 Nationals, his description of that wonderful and anxious feeling all rowers have at the start line, made me hunger for the Spring season. As others have said, Red Rose crew is the best book on rowing since the Amateurs! If you haven't read Boyne's sculling book, it's also a must.