by Daniel James Brown
This is an engrossing, true saga of the first third of the 20th century. While delving into the profound hardships of growing up in poverty during the post-pioneer days of the US northwest, its scope shifts repeatedly to the events occurring in the wider world. Bank failures, comfortable families becoming instantly homeless, the shock of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl collapse of Midwest agriculture—these are all explored within the context of impoverished boys overcoming daunting odds, in order to get an education. And in Europe, the rise of the Nazi party in Germany includes Hitler's grandiose plans for hosting the Olympics.
I found this book therapeutic in that it helped me to laugh at the many niggling aggravations that were consuming my time, attention and motivation. I have it easy.
Two Coincidences:
- The story of the University of Washington's evolving rowing competition with the University of California-Berkeley (CAL) mentioned CAL's practice venue in the Oakland estuary. I lived in Berkeley for a time, only a few miles away from the estuary. As I was reading that portion of the book, the news carried a story of a wildfire burning homes in the Oakland hills. That was just down the street from my 1903 brown shingle (easily combustible) house at the base of the adjacent Berkeley hills.
- One of the main characters (a real person) taught himself to play multiple stringed instruments, and would often sing old folk songs while he played for anyone who would listen. Some enjoyed it; some laughed at him. As a teenager, I would carry my guitar in a hand-sewn cover, when I would travel on the commuter trains outside Philadelphia. Occasionally someone in the 69th Street train station would ask me to play something. I would then proudly pull the cloth cover off of my $25 guitar, and sing folk songs to anyone who would listen. Some enjoyed it; some laughed at me.
You don't need to be interested in rowing (I'm not.), or even in sports, for this book to be a wonderful read.
Bob
