• The Boys in the Boat

  • Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
  • By: Daniel James Brown
  • Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
  • Length: 14 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (41,909 ratings)

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The Boys in the Boat  By  cover art

The Boys in the Boat

By: Daniel James Brown
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Publisher's summary

The number one New York Times best-selling story about American Olympic triumph in Nazi Germany, the inspiration for the PBS documentary The Boys of '36, broadcast to coincide with the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 80th anniversary of the boys' gold medal race.

For readers/listeners of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Depression comes an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times - the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant. It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.

©2013 Daniel James Brown (P)2013 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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What listeners say about The Boys in the Boat

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Must listen, great story

I truly enjoyed listening to this story. I laughed, cried and was cheering on the boys anxiously. It is not hard to immediately fall in and be taken away.

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INSPIRING

This is a wonderful book - inspiring, patriotic, cleansing - all without being clever or corny. Makes you aspire to the kind of relationships and community that developed with the boys in the boat.

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Just wow.

What a great story. By far the best story and performance i have heard on Audible - period.

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Fantastic!! Loved those boys and the way boys became men way back then!!!

Loved the time period, the life story of real people, real events. I so want to see a shell, watch a college crew event, even go to Washington and see the water!!! Thanks so much for a great story and a great narrator!!!

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Awesome and very moving.

Great tribute to lost generation that saved our world and what an example of teamwork and Comerad or he.

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Inspirational

Enjoyable and truly inspirational. This book was well written. Not many books get me involved emotionally but this one did. Thank you

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Wonderful

Well worth my time. I enjoyed it. Great story, very detailed. It brings history to life.

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Highly recommended!

Excellent book! I couldn’t wait to get in my car to listen and didn’t want to get out when I arrived. I’m so glad I purchased this documentary. You won’t be disappointed.

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Blown Away

My first audio book and it was a grand slam. Experienced emotional whirlwind and joy.

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Great Book!

What did you love best about The Boys in the Boat?

The determination and development of the team coming together for the ultimate goal.

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Another great narration by Edward Hermann who has the knack of bringing a book to life!

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