The narrative of US Olympic rugby is well known, and this tale diligently rehearses 1920 and 1924 while breaking little new ground. The most interesting topic is not the relationship of protagonists ‘Babe’ Slater and Rudy Scholz, but the success of the crossover athletes. Sadly the author is sloppy in executing the 3d-person omniscient and so probably misses other such seminal moments in American history. Infuriating style but impossible not to come away enlightened and proud. A useful appendix.