The Amateurs: The Story of Four Young Men and Their Quest for an Olympic Gold Medal

Name: The Amateurs: The Story of Four Young Men and Their Quest for an Olympic Gold Medal
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (421 reviews)
Author: David Halberstam

by David Halberstam

Nonfiction Biography Memoir

4.3 (421)

4.3 stars from 421 reviews

$2.99KU78% off peak

Last checked: Jul 9, 2026

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Price history: $1.99 – $13.70

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Price range: $1.99 – $13.70

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Perfect for you if...

You love character-driven sports stories that focus on the people behind the achievement, not just the medals.
You're drawn to narratives about obsession and sacrifice, especially when the stakes are personal rather than financial.
You appreciate Halberstam's meticulous reporting and ability to make niche worlds feel urgent and compelling.

Maybe not for you if...

You want a fast-paced thriller or plot-driven narrative. This is deep reporting that asks you to care about four specific men.
You're looking for inspirational sports content with a guaranteed happy ending. Real life is messier than that.
You have no patience for technical details about rowing technique and Olympic qualifying trials.

About this book

David Halberstam chronicles the story of four amateur US rowers competing in 1984 for the right to represent the United States as the single sculler at the Olympic Games. In 1984, rowing occupied a marginal place in the Olympic landscape, overshadowed by more prominent sports. The four men pursued an Olympic gold medal not for commercial endorsement opportunities, but for Olympic glory and recognition within their competitive rowing community. In their quest, the rowers endured significant physical pain, postponed personal relationships and career advancement, driven by the desire to win. Halberstam, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, examines these athletes' dedication and determination, presenting a human narrative about the sacrifices athletes make to compete at the highest level.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$1.99 – $13.70

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 78% off peak. Price has dropped 28 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 53 days. Typically stays discounted for 34 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #122K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 39% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.3★ from 421 reviews

Gaining approximately 2 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.3 over the tracking period.

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Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $13.70.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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