As a former rower myself, I really enjoyed reading about the training, racing, technique, and camaraderie of Brown's boat. I remember doing and feeling so many of the same things, so it was easy to get lost in the story (it also helped that in many places, Brown's writing and his descriptions of various people, places, things and emotions were really poetic and lovely). I do wonder, though, if non-rowers might get lost in all of the crew-centric monologues and lingo? I'm not sure.

That being said, I found Brown's mental state and attitude throughout this story pretty troubling. He decides on a whim, because he's done with college and therefore done with football, to not just *learn* to row but to somehow find his way onto the Canadian Olympic team in just a couple years. Well, okay, some may see that as admirable determination, but Brown does this at the expense of his family, his career, his responsibilities as a father and partner, etc. (and this pattern of selfishness and entitlement continues throughout the endeavor). It was all a bit squicky to me.

Sidenote: Since he was a smug know-it-all who picked rowing as his Olympic endeavor simply because it seemed easy (LOL), reading about his endless struggles with capsizing his single scull was sweet comeuppance. ;)

The 4 Year Olympian is Jeremiah Brown's incredible story of becoming an Olympian in four short years. Brown traces his path from former football player to amateur rower to the London Olympics while not shying away from the effects his ambition had on his personal life. There is a heavy emphasis on training and technique, which may make it a bit repetitious for amateur readers but perfect for sports enthusiasts and rowing fans. I would definitely include this a collection of books about the next Summer Olympics.