Blood Over Water, by David and James Livingston
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Winners or losers, yesterday's Boat Race participants will never forget the occasion, but few can have experienced such a tangle of emotions as James and David Livingston, two brothers who rowed against each other in 2003.
For James, the elder at 22, it was his last chance after two years of failing to get a seat in Cambridge's Blue Boat and one loss; for David, 19, it was his first appearance.
Other books, notably Dan Topolski's 'True Blue' and Mark de Rond's 'The Last Amateurs', chronicled the pressure and brutal training, but the element of sibling rivalry ratchets up the tension to unbearable levels as the brothers, always close and competitive, recall how their relationship was strained to breaking point.
David seems the more cold-hearted of the pair – "We are not brothers today, we are enemies" – but was quick to console James after Oxford held off the fast-finishing Cambridge crew to win by one foot.
This honest, articulate account is as enthralling as the race itself.
Published by Bloomsbury in paperback, £8.99
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments