• 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 (42,018 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

Average customer ratings
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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a true and timeless story

the story line and nature of the story that gripped you in. It held me on the edge of my seat all the way till the final way enough.

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the narrative

loved it. the type of book that you wish would never end. loved the narrator.

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One of the best books I've ever read/listened to

This is one of those few books that is life changing, I invite anyone and everyone to spend some time and read the book cover to cover.

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Epic story

I think if you are going to have a story about the Pacific Northwest you should get a narrator who can pronounce the place names correctly

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The growth and solidness of people from this program.

Well, written, and an important part of history that showed The  goals and loyalist of these young men.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The heart felt strength of this amazing crew as men!

Such an amazing and inspiring story with wonderful narration that makes you feel the story! The honesty and the perseverance of those men is so inspiring and beautiful.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Joe

An Incredible story of life that all Americans should hear, remember and emulate in their lives as well.

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highly recommended

Excellent and highly recommended.. this is a great accounting of a stirring historic event.

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Story was great, the first half dragged a bit

I thoroughly enjoyed Joe's story and the journey of the boys as they banded together and worked toward their Olympic victory. The book was beautifully written, the narration was stellar. However, I got lost in all of the technicalities of the design and creation of the racing shells, and all the long narratives about the physics of rowing. I almost gave up about halfway through the book, but then it did get more interesting.

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Intensity of devotion.

I like the human story alongside the political historical story. The reader was great! It was very enjoyable 

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