Mind over Water: Lessons on Life from the Art of Rowing

Rating:
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: I have read several books about rowing, and this is the first book I have read that approached this sport from a philosophical standpoint. I enjoyed his accounts of racing, because I have been there. However, to an experienced rower, his technical descriptions were extremely redundant. I would recommend this book to someone new to the sport.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book For Some
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its musings, although I suspect that much of my appreciation can be explained by my: (1) being about the same age as the author; (2) having rowed occasionally and run daily along the Charles River; (3) having attended Harvard College and having heard much about Harry Parker and some of the Ivy League's great rowers; (4) having read "The Amateurs" and a number of other books on crew; and (5) appreciating good writing, no matter what the topic. Like some, but not all of the other Amazon reviewers, I found Lambert's analogies and life-lessons cogent and reaffirming. If you share any of my propensities, I highly recommend the book!

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book For Some
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its musings, although I suspect that much of my appreciation can be explained by my: (1) being about the same age as the author; (2) having rowed occasionally and run daily along the Charles River; (3) having attended Harvard College and having heard much about Harry Parker and some of the Ivy League's great rowers; (4) having read "The Amateurs" and a number of other books on crew; and (5) appreciating good writing, no matter what the topic. Like some, but not all of the other Amazon reviewers, I found Lambert's analogies and life-lessons cogent and reaffirming. If you share any of my propensities, I highly recommend the book!

Rating:
Summary: Educational and Wise
Review: I thought Craig's book was a wonderful introduction to the sport of rowing. I am a parent of 3 children who are rowing. The book helped me understand their sport and their passion for it. I also run a business. The book makes wonderful analogies about the application of individual and group efforts to the overall success of any undertaking. Its a great book to pass around the office. Craig is very insightful in this book. After reading it you will want to take up the sport of rowing or at least better understand how the principles learned in rowing can be applied to the rest of your life. The book is short. It can be read quickly. But you will find yourself going back to reread many of the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Too much preaching here...
Review: I'm new to the sport, and unlike the reviews above I was NOT all that enthralled by this book. Go read "Rowing Against The Current" is you want good literature. I felt Lambert was always reaching to show he knew something (or looked it up for the book) more than expressing himself. Better reads for action include "The Amatuers" and "Shell Game"

Rating:
Summary: Discursive pop philosophy...
Review: Lambert heaps pop philosophy with a shovel in huge, syropy dollops in this discursive essay on the sport of rowing. An amusing book, certainly, good for light reading. Not terribly original and the philosophical ideas lack focus and are not integrated.

Rating:
Summary: Discursive pop philosophy...
Review: Lambert heaps pop philosophy with a shovel in huge, syropy dollops in this discursive essay on the sport of rowing. An amusing book, certainly, good for light reading. Not terribly original and the philosophical ideas lack focus and are not integrated.

Rating:
Summary: O.K. down the stretch but loses it in the last 500m
Review: Lambert's account of his return to rowing is like the Shell Game, more appropriate for the uninitiated. Lambert's account is a little better because it is more philosophical. While his inspirational messages do have their merits, Lambert spends much of the last part of the book discussing the inspirational techniques of Harry Parker, someone he's never really met. After paying him so many compliments the book seems stale.

Rating:
Summary: For Beginners Only
Review: Lambert's account of rowing, though seemingly poetic to the uninitiated, will dissappoint any avid rower for its sheer lack of "having been there" sentiment. The book is Lambert's chance to spout off about the magic that he sees in rowing and how lessons learned in the sport can be applied universally to any challenge in life. If you can look past his arrogance, without hesitation I recommend the book to non-rowers or novices who will see Lambert's lessons for what they are worth. But I strongly warn off any experienced or competitive rowers because you will be disgusted by Lambert's butchery of the sport. Try The Amatures instead.

Rating:
Summary: A book for rowers & Non-rowers--Attention holder
Review: Not being a rower and never having been in a racing scull, I did not expect6 this book to hold my attention like it did. I had trouble laying it down. The suspense in the race which Lambert outlines so beautifully held me spellbound. The lessons in life which were outlined were beautifully phrased. I really think this book could be a best seller if it is promoted properly.