Preview
  • 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 (42,759 ratings)

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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

Featured Article: The Audible Essentials Top 100


The spirited (but friendly) debate over these titles could have gone on indefinitely. With years of listening, countless customer reviews, and a catalog of seemingly infinite great listens, 100 suddenly felt like a very small number. What we know for sure—each title that made it to this collection is elevated and made special in some way by audio, whether by a layered performance from a single narrator, a brilliantly cohesive full cast, original music, or immersive sound effects. Discover an audio experience for the ages.

What listeners say about The Boys in the Boat

Average customer ratings
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    36,954
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Story
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    33,897
  • 4 Stars
    3,556
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Excellent

Fabulous story, excellent narration and very uplifting. We need stories like this in these troubled times.

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A phenomenal tale

An excellently written book and wonderful performance by the narrator. Highly recommend this book. Great

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This is a great story about a great generation

this is a great story about the 1936 Olympics, the boys from Washington and their quest for gold.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating, riveting

A great book and read. After reading the book I decided to listen to it. A wonderful performance and so much more captivating. The description of races and events in the author's voice truly brings the story to life. Definitely a book I will recommend to my friends.

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A must read.

Loved the story. Really well written. It is very easy to get into the story with them.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must read!

"The boys in the boat" is undoubtly one of the best books I have read in twenty years. As a kid in high school I never knew that history could be so spellbinding! Iwill encourage all my family and friends to read this great book!

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Love, love this book

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

The story, the history and the reader. As I finished it I just wanted to start all over again.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any others yet, but I loved the way he read this story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes the end - not because it was finishing but just the way it wrapped the story up. I was listening to the book in the car and had reached my destination, but did not get out of the car until it had completely finished as I did not want to leave it.

Any additional comments?

Listen and enjoy - it's fantastic.

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Riveting

A remarkable story of grit and determination. A compelling and well read book. This will go on my list of all time favorite stories.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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INCREDIBLE STORY!

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

An incredible story enhanced by the writing of Daniel Brown and the narration of Edward Hermann. I listen to a great deal of audiobooks but this one is most definitely at the very top of my list. It was as if I was in the boat with them--stroke by stroke--as they conquered their inner demons, the other boats and the elements. An inspiration I shall never forget.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

As good as described

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

Excellent Characters, wonderful historical insight.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The time when the main character was abandoned by his father in favor of his new wife.

Any additional comments?

The book had been recommended to me by several good friends; however, I was not interested in a book about "rowing". The book was so much more. The characters and the historical insight made the book one of my best "reads" this year. I was sad to reach the final chapter.

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