Rating: 
Summary: The Red Rose Crew
Review: A microcosm of the teeming early 70s with women busting into all the male bastions. Aside from some inaccuracies there were interesting aspects mentioned in the Red Rose Crew that didn't get developed like when the 8 was split into two 4s one consistently outrowed the other. Why? The winning 4 had bigger rowers but was that it? Was one four in sync more than the other?Uneven coverage of the rowers' points of view. We find out when Carie Graves made contact with God and a rundown of her boyfriends while others in the boat get "also ran" status, an occasional mention of something funny they once said or even though this one was cut from this team she made the 76 Olympic team. That's a lot of agony and determination. The book had to end and everything couldn't be included... The level of hard work, skill and determination in winning seats in the boat was conveyed. They really did work harder. And then they turned into Moms. Lively descriptions of England, the race in England and preparation for it. Reading about Harry Parker working with the team convinces one that he is an extraordinary coach so why invoke his credentials about 4 times? Gail Cromwell comes off as cool-headed, strategic and effective--the perfect person for moving the agenda. There is some squeamishness about lesbians which is passed off as how it was in those times. The shirtless Yale action on the Athletic Director was succinctly covered. The Yale action and Gail Pierson's opera date with Sy Cromwell made the newspapers back then so it's fun to read the skinny now. There is some discussion of East German steroid use. Very interesting coverage of why Carie Graves was stroke and Anne Warner's coming to understanding of that and why one coxswain was chosen over the others and how a small rower made the team. One more niggling detail. Until the next year's pending '76 Olympics were mentioned it was hard to figure out exactly which year was being talked about. The update at the end is considerate since it's easy to get intrigued with the rowers.
Rating: 
Summary: Microcosm of the early 1970s
Review: A microcosm of the teeming early 70s with women busting into all the male bastions. Aside from some inaccuracies there were interesting aspects mentioned in the Red Rose Crew that didn't get developed like when the 8 was split into two 4s one consistently outrowed the other. Why? The winning 4 had bigger rowers but was that it? Was one four in sync more than the other? Uneven coverage of the rowers' points of view. We find out when Carie Graves made contact with God and a rundown of her boyfriends while others in the boat get "also ran" status, an occasional mention of something funny they once said or even though this one was cut from this team she made the 76 Olympic team. That's a lot of agony and determination. The book had to end and everything couldn't be included... The level of hard work, skill and determination in winning seats in the boat was conveyed. They really did work harder. And then they turned into Moms. Lively descriptions of England, the race in England and preparation for it. Reading about Harry Parker working with the team convinces one that he is an extraordinary coach so why invoke his credentials about 4 times? Gail Cromwell comes off as cool-headed, strategic and effective--the perfect person for moving the agenda. There is some squeamishness about lesbians which is passed off as how it was in those times. The shirtless Yale action on the Athletic Director was succinctly covered. The Yale action and Gail Pierson's opera date with Sy Cromwell made the newspapers back then so it's fun to read the skinny now. There is some discussion of East German steroid use. Very interesting coverage of why Carie Graves was stroke and Anne Warner's coming to understanding of that and why one coxswain was chosen over the others and how a small rower made the team. One more niggling detail. Until the next year's pending '76 Olympics were mentioned it was hard to figure out exactly which year was being talked about. The update at the end is considerate since it's easy to get intrigued with the rowers.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: As a twenty something female athlete, it's hard for me to imagine a time when sports weren't as available for girls and women as they are today. I've always been given athletic opportunity and have been fortunate never to feel marginalized because of my unavoidable female status. Boyne's new book, "The Red Rose Crew" tells of a much different time when few women rowed, much less were given serious opportunities to compete. His story, which is really the story of a strong group of women and their male coaches who believed in them, is informative, thoughtful, insightful, honest and well-told. You don't need to be a rowing afficianado to get into this book. Rather, you simply need to be ready for a good story and to be left with feeling like you want go out and pick up an oar, even if you've never been in a boat before. Boyne's male perspective may, at first, make some (female) readers skeptical about his ability to make sense of an experience that hinges on the main players being female and everyone else--those getting in their way--being male. But Boyne's sensitivity to the experiences of these athletes and his sincere interest and love of the sport helps to create an honest narrative that I think few would be able to recreate, male or female. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to take a break from fiction and who has even a remote interest in the world of amateur sport.
Rating:
Summary: The Red Rose Crew
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The Red Rose Crew
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Welcome Work, but...
Review: Books on rowing are rare these days so it is good to see a fine account of a boat being made and coming together. All the more so as The Red Rose Crew chronicles the early days of women's rowing. Overall, this is a fine and enjoyable read, but Boyne is in need of an editor. Most of the errors are minor, but aggravating in a book written by someone on rowing about rowing. For example, "Henley Royal Regatta" is "Henley Royal Regatta" not Royal Henley Regatta. "Quadra-scull" is an unfamiliar term. "Quadruple scull" or "quad scull" or "quad" are the common terms. At one point Boyne mixes up boat categries when talking about sweep rowing and sculling. Alas, these are unfortunate and unnecessary distractions in what is otherwise a fine book about rowing.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, But Boston-Centric and Careless With Facts
Review: Boyne's writing style makes this a quick read, and most rowers will want to read it because it is insightful about rowing, tells a story that needs to be told, and contains many gossipy tidbits, some of which are probably accurate. It could have been advantageously developed in significantly greater depth, however. It is no coincidence that the writer, who works at Harvard's Weld Boathouse, has written yet another paean to the inscrutable Harry Parker, whose "castle" (?) is just across the river. The narrative is produced through the eyes of Gail Pierson, an incredible person, gutsy rower, and early leader of women's rowing, and Carie Graves, a young and strong Wisconsin rower. The remaining seven women in the national team boat are given shorter shrift, which is too bad because they also were (and are) interesting and talented people. One envisions Boyne conducting in-depth interviews with Pierson, Graves and Parker, accumulating a collection of anecdotes, perhaps calling a few others, and then assembling what he had. The relationships among the team members are addressed but could have been more extensively developed. The author seems to think that all rowing evolves around Cambridge--and perhaps New Haven--with the odd Wisconsin hick added for color. His gratuitous swipes at programs and boathouses not located on the Charles lower his credibility. In the same vein, knowledgeable readers will spot numerous factual errors that cause one to wonder about the thoroughness of the research and accuracy of other statements. For example, calling well-known Olympian Peter Raymond a "old Harvard oar" undoubtedly has generations of Princeton Tigers spinning in their graves. In summary: read the book if you are interested in rowing or women's athletics, but take it with a grain of salt.
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for rowers
Review: Dan Boyne has written a riveting story of determination, drive, talent and committment as he chronicles the early history of American woman in international rowing competition. The book includes a compelling profile of Carie Graves, arguably the finest American woman rower and Harry Parker, legendary Harvard crew coach. Harry's job was to select 9 women from a pool of 36 talented athletes to compete in the 1975 World Championship. Women in American rowing were a new phenomena and not highly regarded by the international rowing community. The book describes the selection and training of the crew and, finally, the racing at the Worlds and the surprising result. Boyne weaves a wonderfully entertainer story and it's hard to put down. This is "must" read for any rower, man or women, or anyone interested in what it takes to get to the top in international competition.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Christmas gift for rowers
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Christmas gift for rowers
Review: 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.
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