"The Boys in the Boat' author discusses the 9 boys in the boat

Daniel James Brown, author of this year's One Read book "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics," said he's had many readers say the title made them hesitant to read.

"I would not have picked this book up six years ago, myself," Brown said during a presentation at Columbia College on Tuesday night.

Brown said that after people read the book, they acknowledged it is about much more than rowing.

"It was a love story. It was a story about grit and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. It was about punishment, pain and psychological devastation and about ultimate jubilation," Brown said. "But most of all it was a story about nine decent, hardworking boys who came together to forge something much larger."

William Woods University streamed his presentation in the school's library. Fulton resident Ginger Beasley attended the screening. Beasley said she didn't think she would like the book when her daughter recommended it to her. The book's title made her hesitant, but when she learned more about the book, she decided to give it a chance. The book put Beasley, who moved to Fulton from Seattle eight years ago, back in Washington state.

"I was there in Seattle for two weeks while reading this book," Beasley said. "I was enjoying being there."

The boys' stories led Beasley to tears when she read the book.

"Their hard work and efforts and overcoming all these odds," Beasley said. "I recommend it."

During his presentation, Brown said rowing was essential to the story in "The Boys in the Boat." He described rowing as the stage on which human drama plays out in the book.

Rowing seemed boring to Brown initially. However, after spending four years researching rowing and the boys in the boat, Brown said he became a fan of rowing. His fondness came as he learned what rowing entails. He read a passage from "The Boys in the Boat" to describe the physical pain that accompanies the sport.

"Mind in boat, mind in boat," Brown read from the book. "Then, in the last two hundred yards, thinking itself fell away, and pain suddenly came shrieking back into the boat, descending on all of them at once, searing their legs, their arms, their shoulders, clawing at their backs, tearing at their hearts and lungs as they desperately gulped at the air."

Brown discussed the virtues of the boys in the boat during his presentation. He said they were earnest, tenacious and cared deeply. He described the boys in the boat as the classic American underdog.

"I think it's easy to identify with those nine kids," Brown said. "These are kids who grew up in little towns and on dairy farms and in logging camps around Western Washington."

Beasley cried when she read the book. She said she didn't want to finish the book quickly so she could enjoy being immersed in the story longer. But, she had to get the book back to the library. She plans to buy the book and read it again.

Brown has had several readers contact him to say they cried. Those readers are usually men in their 60s, 70s or 80s. He said he thinks the book reminded those readers of a different time.

"People are remembering a time when we were better able to build teams and get things done and work together more effectively," Brown said.