Co-written with NZ sports journalist Scotty Stevenson, the book is a ripping read, and certainly had at least this reader pretty fired up.īeyond being an all-around great sports book, surprisingly it's also rowing's first truly 21st century rowing biography. The salient facts of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray's scintillating run from 2009 until 2016 in the men's pair are well known, and fairly straightforward to recount Murray & Bond were undefeated in the event (a 69 race win streak, a numerical record that amused Murray in more than a few ways), captured six world titles (as well as one in the coxed pair), won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the event (in 20) and gave the internet this what more is there to know?Īs it turns out, there is quite a bit, and in these locked-down days of social isolation and lonely solo training grinds, this is the time to settle down on your couch with this book.
Why see a movie with a story you already know the ending to? Or, for that matter, why read a rowing book when you already know how what happened?