• 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 (42,057 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Boys in the Boat  By  cover art

The Boys in the Boat

By: Daniel James Brown
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.60

Buy for $21.60

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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

Featured Article: The Best Sports Audiobooks to Get You in the Game


Whether you’re a die-hard sports fanatic or a casual observer, you’ve likely felt the rush of adrenaline that comes from watching a world-class competitor at peak performance. Another way to capture the high energy of professional athletics? A sports audiobook with the perfect balance of substance and style. From rags-to-riches stories to tales of the biggest comebacks, these audiobooks will bring you closer to the game than ever before.

What listeners say about The Boys in the Boat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,321
  • 4 Stars
    4,530
  • 3 Stars
    895
  • 2 Stars
    183
  • 1 Stars
    128
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,286
  • 4 Stars
    3,845
  • 3 Stars
    693
  • 2 Stars
    135
  • 1 Stars
    98
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,321
  • 4 Stars
    3,518
  • 3 Stars
    817
  • 2 Stars
    177
  • 1 Stars
    108

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My new favorite

Quite honestly the most thrilling and well written - and well read - book I’ve ever listened to. Top 5!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story about historical events

Love the way this story gives you a first person look at history. Marvelous storytelling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible book

Such a well done book/ audiobook! Incredible sorry and so well written. Definitely in my top 5 of favorite books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, suggestion for those who like rowing

The book was so well thought out and I liked how Daniel James Brown did all the research the the littlest detail to tell the story of The Boys in the Boat

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must!

One of the most amazing recommendations I've ever listened to. I'm still choked up.

Terry W. Hammond

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring Youth of Our Greatest Generation

Inspiring read about young men of our greatest generation. Grit and perseverance making America great.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent book!

couldnt stop listening! wonderful story...slow build but worth the wait. was recommended by a friend as the best book he had ever listened to...and I agree.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Great American storys

Nothing like a great story of American hardship and Victory. I was a small Town county girl that row in college. This story made me cry. I can relate to so much of there challenges of being the under dog.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating story, well read, well researched.

An uplifting historical story of pre World War America. You ride in the boat and feel the joy and pain of the experience. While outside the boat the Depression over whelms America and dark ideals take over Europe.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I’m so upset that it’s over!

What an incredible, moving, beautiful story. And read by Edward Herrmann, what an incredible gift!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!