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

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

Phenomenal!

Really doesn't get any better than this. An amazing, amazing group of boys. Their story beautifully told.

Great book about a great true story.

An inspiring book that embodies and anticipates World War Two. Coming of age in a very challenging age. I now understand why this is called the Greatest Generation.

Marvelous story beautifully told

I was riveted. The boat race parts were as exciting as watching a live sporting event. The historical context was very interesting. The people in the story even more interesting.
If you like sports; if you like history; if you like a good story listen to this book

A great book!

This one of the best books I've ever read! It combines a history of the Depression, the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the rise of Nazism and the trials and rewards of working as a team. Don't miss it!

The Book I've Been Telling All My Friends to Read

I have recommended this book to everyone. My husband, my dad, my friends, even my chiropractor.

Daniel James Brown tells the story of the winning oarsmen in the 1936 Olympics. Everything about it is incredibly interesting to me.

1. The time period: Brown goes back in time and gives us the biography of Joe Rantz. His life during the Depression would have made this book readable on its own.

2. The rowing: I love reading about racing sports. I know some people found the technicalities of rowing to be a bit much, but I loved it all. I love reading about George Pocock, the craftsman of the boats. I loved reading about the workouts and the construction of the team. I love learning about Joe's fellow oarsmen. I loved hearing all the details of all the races.

3. Nazi Germany: I thought the quick chapters in Nazi Germany really set the stage for the final race. I have seen some of Leni Riefenstahl's footage of the 1936 Olympics and learning a little about her background was very interesting.

4. Edward Herrmann: I listened to the audio version of this book, and it is narrated by the late Edward Herrmann, which was a real treat.

This book made me so nostalgic for the way that sports used to be. None of the champion oarsmen had ever rowed before their first day of tryouts at the University of Washington. Three years late they were at the Olympics. Now sport seems to be so full of scandal, and I, for one, kind of feel jaded by it all. The Boys in the Boat is all about the amateur athlete, and I loved that.

Finest Sports Story I have ever read

If you could sum up The Boys in the Boat in three words, what would they be?

Historic, global, spiritual, riveting

What did you like best about this story?

The global and historic perspective, and the richness and depth of the story.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

His voice moved with the story perfectly

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

True story of what makes America great

Nostalgia for Seattle locals

Wonderful imagery that brings the beauty of the Pacific Northwest to life. I do wish the narrator had taken the time to learn common pronunciations of words like “Alki” and “Skagit;” I found myself jarred out of the scene with each butchering.

Olympic, Nazi, American history = amazing story

Best read I've had in a long while. Great history and compelling story telling about the Great Depression, rowing crew, nazi Germany, and the Olympics. Has it all.

engaging throughout

Another outstanding performance by Edward Herrmann. Very highly recommended. The story was inspiring and engaging!

Well Done !

Any additional comments?

Edward Herrmann has a cadence as a narrator, which he uses to keep this story moving. His timing is seemingly effortless. Without such a combination I might have put the book aside.
Stories about war, strife, and challenge can be depressing. NOT this story. D.J. Brown found his way through the telling by perfectly balancing the joy and rewards of youthful hope, with the hard facts of life.
He was able to include "the good ole days" of simple living without distracting from the truth that they weren't that good.
Extractiing enough detail from someone's private life, just enough, to build a character that one can love and relate to, takes not only an analytical mind, but also, an open heart. What is a story with out that?