A Most Beautiful Thing

The True Story of America's First All-Black High School Rowing Team

By: Arshay Cooper

Narrated by: Adam Lazarre-White

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

"Narrator Adam Lazarre-White conveys Cooper's youth and aspirations in a rich, steady voice that suggests emotional authenticity and humor." (AudioFile Magazine)

Now a documentary narrated by Common, produced by Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade, and 9th Wonder, from filmmaker Mary Mazzio

The moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-Black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives.

Growing up on Chicago’s Westside in the 90s, Arshay Cooper knows the harder side of life. The street corners are full of gangs, the hallways of his apartment complex are haunted by drug addicts he calls “zombies” with strung out arms, clutching at him as he passes by. His mother is a recovering addict, and his three siblings all sleep in a one room apartment, a small infantry against the war zone on the street below.

Arshay keeps to himself, preferring to write poetry about the girl he has a crush on, and spends his school days in the home-ec kitchen dreaming of becoming a chef. And then one day as he’s walking out of school he notices a boat in the school lunchroom, and a poster that reads “Join the Crew Team”.

Having no idea what the sport of crew is, Arshay decides to take a chance. This decision to join is one that will forever change his life, and those of his fellow teammates. As Arshay and his teammates begin to come together to learn how to row - many never having been in water before - the sport takes them from the mean streets of Chicago, to the hallowed halls of the Ivy League. But Arshay and his teammates face adversity at every turn, from racism, gang violence, and a sport that has never seen anyone like them before.

A Most Beautiful Thing is the inspiring true story about the most unlikely band of brothers that form a family, and forever change a sport and their lives for the better.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

"I was immediately captivated. Arshay's writing evoked the emotional angst of teens growing up in the inner city of Chicago..I wholeheartedly recommend Arshay's book and look forward to his future projects." (Ron Stallworth, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Black Klansman)

"This is the story of rising from the ashes stronger, faster, and focused - not in spite of the circumstances of birth but because of them. Arshay’s refusal to let his life story be written for him is a testament to the resilience and beauty of the human spirit, and his eagerness to succeed, on the water and in life, is an inspiration." (Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic)

©2020 Arshay Cooper (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Adam Lazarre-White conveys Cooper's youth and aspirations in a rich, steady voice that suggests emotional authenticity and humor." (AudioFile magazine)

Inspirational story

I found this book very inspiring and would highly recommend it. It has an important message in our current troubled times.

How to get out of the Hood without knowing it!

I loved, loved the author describing his negative high school experiences growing up in the Chicago hood. How trying something different forever changed his life and prospective on the way he looked at things/ life and his connection to his peer group and surrounding environment ‼️
The book is so great that I did not want it to end‼️
Kudos to his success and his fell friends ‼️

Incredible story

Just read it - amazing in so many ways. Inspiring, thought provoking, enriching, and so much more. Thank you Arshay Cooper for sharing your story with the world!

Wonderful book, great story.

Watch the documentary after you've read the book. Not before. It's a lovely way to get more of the story.

A Most Perfect Story

As a former college rower, this book was incredible all the way around. The descriptions of rowing completely match may memories of learning to row. The strength and insight of the author, and the personal hurdles he had to overcome, are truly inspiring. He captures the true brotherhood he felt with his teammates, something I felt with mine. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, even non-rowers.

Inspirational, sobering, insightful

This is a compelling story about how the right influences, support and guidance can make all the difference for young people, particularly those that face bleak prospects otherwise. It's about race in America as much as it is about rowing. Highly recommended, especially for younger audiences seeking motivation.

Wonderful and Inspiring

I love true stories about average humans rising above incredible hardship to succeed and help others. Arshay is an amazing human. I wish him all the best that life has to offer. It seems he has gotten them already. May he continue to be blessed for all his life's choices and the sharing of his wisdom with others.

Rowing coaches and young rowers- READ THIS

Entertaining, informative, inspiring, touching. The narrator does a great job. This could serve as a rowing coach manual for how to inspire and teach.

Great inspirational story!

Great inspirational story that will inspire many young underrepresented young men and women. Great read.

Loved. Better than the movie

I saw the movie, but this book is way better. I started rowing at 42 and this books describes the energy, challenges, and intense pull to the sport once you start. More importantly, it captures the realties and constant uphill battles Black and Brown kids face in cities like Chicago. A great listen.