Sample
  • 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 (42,740 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: 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 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
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,938
  • 4 Stars
    4,580
  • 3 Stars
    903
  • 2 Stars
    188
  • 1 Stars
    131
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,846
  • 4 Stars
    3,881
  • 3 Stars
    700
  • 2 Stars
    138
  • 1 Stars
    101
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,881
  • 4 Stars
    3,555
  • 3 Stars
    825
  • 2 Stars
    177
  • 1 Stars
    111

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

Excellent

I grew up in Coulee Adam so loved to hear the inside scoop from a worker. I knew very little about the sport but now I do and with the Olympics coming up I will be watching!!!!

Thank you for your research and delivery!!!

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

freaking amazing

what an amazing book. well thought out and written. a great story of men that should have all the praise the USA has to offer.

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

Wow

Exceptional story.
Exceptionally well narrated. A pleasure to listen to.
I often find it hard to get into a narrated story. I started this sometime ago. Then quit. Then I went on a 5-hour road trip so put it on. Hooked me in! I love the history of it. And how well the story is told.

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 listen! Well written and well read!

Fantastic story and well written! The narrator's voice fits well with the story and he does a great job with it! Will definately be listening to this one over and over!

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

Loved it!

Today's young people would do well to follow the example set by these amazing men.

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 beautiful story of those who won gold in 1936.

The story is written beautifully. A very inspiring story of what it takes to win.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Long but interesting story

The narration is very good but the book itself contains far too much descriptive detail. Could have been edited by about 20% and still maintained the feeling of accomplishment that was achieved

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

The Greatest Generation

Most enjoyable read I’ve had in a long time. They were truly the Greatest Generation

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

Tremendous storytelling.

This is beautifully written and read, and I highly recommend this audible title to everyone looking for inspiration.

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

10 stars!!!

Recommended by a friend. Didn’t listen for quite some time. Finished a book and then decided to list to The Boys in the Boat. Incredible story, well written, excellent narrative. Searched online for possible movie. See that George Clooney will direct. Should be great however I would prefer limited series streamed instead of full length movie to do justice to the Joe Rantz story. Such an incredible life and love story with Joyce. These men were an incredible team!!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!