Blood over Water - Softcover

Livingston, James; Livingston, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408801191 ISBN 13: 9781408801192

Publisher: Bloomsbury Paperbacks, 2011

Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BEST NEW WRITER CATEGORY OF THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2010

On an overcast April day in 2003, David and James Livingston raced against each other in the 149th Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Watched by over seven million people, it was the first time for over a hundred years that brothers had battled against each other in this gladiatorial contest. Only one could be victorious.

In Blood Over Water, David and James tell their stories for the first time, giving an intimate insight into one of our best-loved national sporting occasions, whilst also describing a brotherly relationship tested to breaking point. It is an emotional and searching joint self-portrait that looks at the darker side of sibling rivalry and asks just what you would be willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams.

About this title

About the Author

David Livingston studied for a BA in Biological Sciences at Christ Church Oxford (2001-2004) and then stayed for a further year to complete an MSc in Management Research at the Said Business School. His main passion throughout his time at Oxford was to win the Oxford Cambridge University Boat Race. In 2003 he won the closest ever Boat Race by a margin of one foot against a Cambridge crew containing his older brother James. Since he left University he has represented Great Britain at rowing on a number of occasions. He was motivated to write a book about his experiences and relationship with his brother to try and reconcile his feelings of guilt at winning the race. He currently works as an investment analyst at a private wealth management firm.

James Livingston went up to Cambridge in 1999 to read Natural Sciences. He was twice selected for the Cambridge reserve crew, Goldie, before graduating to the Cambridge Blue Boat. James returned to Cambridge, starting a one year course in Management to give him a final chance of victory. James was again selected for the Cambridge Blue Boat but lost in the closest race of all time, against his younger brother David. James has rowed at a number of World Championships at Senior and U23 level and attended the Athens Olympics as part of Team GB. He has rowed all over the world including competitions in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, New Zealand and the United States. James lives in London and works in venture capital, investing in rapidly growing technology companies. He has written for Varsity, the Cambridge University newspaper, and had travel writing articles published in Travelbag magazine.

Review

'The tale of an epic Boat Race brilliantly told from the heart of the competition by two brothers ... A serious candidate for the sports book of the year' Barry Davies 'Blood Over Water stands out from the mass of sporting memoirs' Economist 'Jumping from boat to boat, from brother to brother, you feel every physical and emotional strain ... "[the story is] is thrillingly relived by these two feuding siblings' The Times 'Superb ... Consistently compelling' Times Literary Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1408801191
• ISBN 13: 9781408801192
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320