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

Great inspiring story

I liked the story and way the author write about it with a focus on Joe's character but also getting into a bit about the other men's characters and lives. The information about the boat and building them was interesting as well. The reader did a very nice job too.

Inspirational and authentic

From the content of the story, to the performance of the reading, the boys in the boat should be on everyone's shelf (or listening device). I loved the history that was captured along with the story itself. I would recommend this to all.

Outstanding in every way

Brilliantly researched and written by Brown and equally brilliantly read (narrated?) by Hermann. One would usually not expect a book that is this fact-filled to also be this packed with emotion. Hats off to Daniel Brown for the incredible amount of research that he accomplished after such a long span of time.

highly recommended.

a very well written story that definitely kept my interest. I learned a lot about rowing from it. and his ability to bring you right into the race was extraordinary

Tremendous!

I hadn't heard of this until a well-read friend suggested it and I'm so glad she did. What a captivating, well-told story. The reader was perfect. I definitely recommend this compelling book!

Inspiring, exciting, beautifully read and written.

This is one of my favourite audiobooks. History entwined with a fabulous story about a team with heart like no other.... Read beautifully this book is not to be missed!!

Inspirational

These Boys will embed themselves into your soul. At the end of your journey you may find yourself sitting in a boat on a lake or river reliving the 1936 Olympics as if you were aboard the Husky Clipper.

Compelling story, check local pronunciations

What did you like best about this story?

The story is compelling. Enjoyed listening to the story woven across time and location.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I lived half my life in beautiful western WA. Some of the location names are a bit tricky but I would have thought the narrator would have received some help in that regard - especially for locations repeated multiple times but pronounced incorrectly. It interrupts the flow of the story when you have to stop and figure out what they meant to say

Amazing story!

This is a beautiful story. Very touching. Reads like fiction. You'll fall in love with Joe Rantz. I was moved to tears countless times. Gorgeously written!

Sensitively Handled, a Great Story and Well Told

What made the experience of listening to The Boys in the Boat the most enjoyable?

The story is well written about a remarkable Olympic achievement. It is a well researched historical narrative and contains a central, unifying character with a challenging, often heartbreaking backstory. This tugs at the heartstrings and raises issues of family and forgiveness. Sometimes a solid story, a good author and a time where good news is needed come together to form a success. This book is the subject of many "One Book, One Community" reads. Its popularity early on was due to word of mouth recommendations among readers, not big newspaper reviews, testifying to a broad appeal.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Edward Hermann's voice is superb, his delivery professional and polished, and I will miss him. However, as a native Pacific Northwesterner, I always know I'm going to cringe on pronunciations if I hear the dreaded Ory-gone. Ory-gun...people! And there are quite a few mispronounciations of places and other names throughout the narration. It is a matter of research. I just hate to think that a Washington state story is read with an east coast "voice" especially given the innate snobbishness surrounding the historical origins of the sport and that these mispronunciations will be perpetuated.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Engaging and emotional. Who doesn't like an underdog, pull yourself up by the bootstraps, overcoming all obstacles, come-from-behind success story? I think it may be the quintessential American theme. I have heard the author speak after listening to the book and also read and heard takes by Joe Rantz's daughter that solidify my opinion of the handling of the story. I especially loved the epilogue and thinking about the humble nature of the crew and many of those surrounding them. It is a delightful contrast to the bombastic nature of professional sports and underscores the theme of what a team can accomplish when the individual egos are set to the side and the team works as one.

Any additional comments?

It is the only book in over 20 years that received a solid 5 out of 5 from all members of my book group. I raise my glass!