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. ;)

I suspect that writing “The 4 Year Olympian” was a chore for Jeremiah Brown. His self-doubt is evident throughout his retelling of his experiences in search of an Olympic medal with crippling apprehension that is palpable to the reader. It seems that every element of his life has been filled with an unease that appears to paralyze him.

But he has the balls to get it done. Despite his battle with himself, he has written a damn fine book. It probably won’t outsell the wildly popular “The Boys in the Boat” but it’s a different story of a different time.

It tells of one man’s battle with himself, his personal circumstances, and his teammates and coach on a mission to be accepted as a member of the Canadian men’s eight rowing team and win an Olympic medal. The author of “The Boys,” another Brown, centered his story on each member of the U of Washington team, their backgrounds, their struggles through the Depression, and their experiences at the highly political 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany. This Brown won silver in the 2012 Olympics in London.

I have to admire Jeremy Brown’s struggles and his accomplishments. He made some poor decisions, misbehaved when it wasn’t prudent, and, in general, magnified his own struggles. But he is honest with his self-appraisal and how his behavior made his journey tougher than it should have been. His ability to hunker down and join his teammates in almost crippling physical exertion is shocking to read.

I encourage you to read this highly personal confession of nearly losing everything one needs to have a successful life. There are lessons to be learned and praises to be sung. An Olympic medal winner is certainly someone to listen to, particularly when his voice is clarion clear.

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.