The Seven Seat: A True Story of Rowing, Revenge, and Redemption

by Daniel J. Boyne

Harvard University coach and acclaimed rowing author, Dan Boyne, tells a humorous story of his first year of freshman crew, including a sub plot of personal redemption against an insufferable football player who has bullied him throughout high school. After being accepted at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, Boyne decides to take up rowing, the only sport that takes place far off campus, on the adventurous waters of The Connecticut River. There, he quickly experiences the unique rigors, rewards, and colorful personalities of the sport, not knowing that his nemesis has decided to try out for crew, at rival school Coast Guard Academy. As racing season approaches, Boyne becomes part of an exceptional freshman lightweight boat, with high hopes to win the National Championships in Philadelphia that year, but his final fears are realized when he discovers that his old high school archenemy is also doing well, and rowing in the very same position as he is--the seven seat.

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Hardcover

Published August 23, 2019

Reviews

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you are a fan of rowing or not or have not even realized there is a sport of rowing this is a quick and at times humorous read about the author's freshman year attending Trinity College in Hartford, CT in the 1970's and deciding in joining the rowing team. This was a time that Rowers were not recruited like they are now days. The author did have some exposure to rowing as his sister was into rowing and the author did some the summer before attending Trinity. That particular experience did not go well as he did not live up to coaches high standards. While the majority of the book revolves around rowing there are parts that deal with everyday life coming of age while going to college along with the fact that there is quite a cast of characters. As you will also see the author has a little more ambition to succeed as he will face an nemesis who has also taken up the sport of rowing this was bullying the author in high school. Again this is a quick fun read so give it a read. Thank you to Edelweiss and National Book Network for an ARC for a fair and honest review.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you've never rowed in your life (I'm guilty), this book is still worthy of a read. It's well written, amusing, and informative. It took me back to my days as an undergrad, experiencing life away from home, away from family and friends in a totally different state for the first time. I enjoyed his reflections and stories. Our college in the midwest didn't have a rowing team, so I never saw one of those contests. But Daniel Boyne's descriptions bring the races to life so you can imagine what they are like. I enjoyed reading about the different personalities. It's not a long read, but it was enjoyable.

[Katra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never really followed rowing. Might need to start.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Fun, quick book

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty lame. I love books about rowing but this was pretty boring. It read like a high school diary. Wouldn’t recommend.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a rower, I could relate so much to this book!

[Lisa Keuss · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of set up for the conflict between Boyne and his seven-seat nemesis, so it was a bit of a let down when the plot turned out to be thin and the tension minimal. That aside, Boyne's book, The Red Rose Crew, is a strong history of the early years of women's rowing.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it because I lived it.... not for many other people except those of us who rowed at small schools...