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

Amazing and Beautiful True Story

Very well told true story. Enjoyed the reader. Lots of details about crew and rowing, but I enjoyed learning about something I didn't know before. Joe Rantz life was quite a life!

collective human power

Well told story of suffering, hardship, endurance and finding strength from your teammates and fellow man. The UW Huskies and Seattle history that all living in the PNW should know.

Great Story, Good Narrator.

The story was interesting and well written.

My only complaint was that the narrator did not correctly pronounce many of the names of Seattle area cities in the book.

Truly inspirational

If you only read one nonfiction book this year, this book should be it. It reads like fiction and paints a picture of a crew of farm boys who were the perfect combination for a winning rowing team as well as one mans story of finding home.

An inspirational story for the ages

Would you consider the audio edition of The Boys in the Boat to be better than the print version?

No

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Boys in the Boat?

Joe is at a cross roads at the young age of 10. The stepmother gives Joe's stepfather the ultimatum that it is Joe or me and the weak father tells his ten year old son that he has to leave and is on his own. Down cast and rejected by his family Joe choses to be self reliant and forge out on his own and prevails against a harsh environment .

Which scene was your favorite?

When Joe lays down his shell of self protection and becomes one with his team mates.Again, Joe shows his resilience and strength to to the right thing.

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

An inspirational story for the ages.

Any additional comments?

10/10 and a story that needs to be told in our era of self and "selfies" Freedom is freedom of self and being able to put another ahead of your own needs.

A classic underdog story. It made me want to row!

It was 3asy to listen to and well written. I thought the author did a great job hitting relevant current events during the time the story took place.

Fantastic!

Such a great story, so well written. Edward Herrmann was a perfect choice for narration.

Great true story!

This great true story so well narrated by Edward Herman! Couldn't stop listening! Loved it!

A great story even for a woman to enjoy.

I knew nothing about rowing. I love books about the time period. The story and the amazing characterization a were thrilling. I loved all the people and enjoyed knowing them from birth until death. I was emotional when the story ended

Great read!

I listened to this book on my walks... it was spell binding! I laughed and cried throughout! The only suggestion I have would be that the reader check the pronunciation of various places he was reading about. It's a small thing, but being born and raised in the Northwest, those mispronunciations were glaring to me.