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Gold in the Water: The True Story of Ordinary Men and Their Extraordinary Dream of Olympic Glory | 
 enlarge | Author: P. H. Mullen
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $3.00
You Save: $12.95 (81%)
New (27) Used (22) Collectible (1) from $3.00
Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 100959
Media: Paperback
Pages: 352
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1
ISBN: 0312311168
Dewey Decimal Number: 797.21092273
EAN: 9780312311162
ASIN: 0312311168
Publication Date: February 25, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In California, a team of talented young men begin pursuing the most elusive dream in sports, the Olympic Games. The pressure steadily increases as two best friends (a mentor and his protege) reach the top of the world rankings and unexpectedly find themselves direct competitors. Their teammates include an emerging star methodically plotting to retrace his father’s path to Olympic glory, as well as a super-extraordinary athlete desperate to walk away from it all. Led by one of the most passionate coaches in sports, a brilliant and explosive strategist on a personal quest for redemption, this team of dark horses and Olympic favorites works through escalating rivalries, joyous triumphs, and heartbreaking setbacks.
Author P. H. Mullen chronicles their journey to the 2000 Olympic Games and presents one of the most powerful and moving sports books ever written. Boldly sweeping in literary power and pace, this startling book will permanently change how you view the Olympic athlete.
It is a fascinating world of suspense and emotion where human desire for excellence rules over all, and where there are no second chances for glory. But above all, Gold in the Water is a triumph of the human spirit.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
Narrative of the Pursuit of Excellence October 11, 2008
David V. Melichar (Fort Eustis, VA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book shows the price that must be paid to be the best. The facet that stands out the most to me is the turmoil these men put themselves through in the process of preparation for the Olympics. Everyone already knows it takes a great deal of physical effort to be an Olympian, but PH Mullen shows how heavy the emotional burden must be as well.
The characters are almost too distinctively defined - they seem like players in a Dickens novel. From the hard working underdog (Wilkens), the confident veteran (Grote), the cold technician (Wales), or the scarred phenom (Blahnik), anyone who reads this can find a person and a situation that they can relate to. The book is so much bigger than just swimming; it describes the process and pitfalls, the "agony and the ecstacy" of choosing to follow a dream.
I have never attempted to compete at the Olympics, but I have won and lost my share of races. The author uses his own firsthand experience as a competitive swimmer to provide surgical insights into the emotions of the athletes. He discusses the hunger for victory, the confusion of failing to meet expectations, and the eventual tedium of training as only a person who has felt it for himself can.
I would recommend this book to just about anyone, but especially anyone interested in studying how different personalities face a challenge.
The best April 23, 2008
Nathan (Washington, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This will go down as the best swimming book ever written. The facts of non-fiction with the fluidity of a great novel. PH Mullen has written the aquatic masterpiece.
 The world of professional swimming December 24, 2007
Nik of KL (Malaysia)
Gave a glimpse of the professional swimming world. Starting with kids beginning swimming to Olympians from the perspective of professional coach. Entertaining and more appreciative to the sport. But too late for me to join.
Water is gold August 23, 2007
D. Zhu (Iowa, USA)
Very nice book about swimming as a sport and the people, swimmers and coaches and more, in and behind it. One of few great books about swimming.
Just about the best book ever October 23, 2006
benrawk (Seattle, wa)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Seriously inspiring, got me through a lot of long practises.
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