• 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 (42,061 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

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Lots of Interesting Details

Checkout photos available on the web so you can match the face with the name.

Excellent story.

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The Boys in the Boat is the best

This is a tremendous tribute to some marvelous men and an amazing generation. I was enhanced from the very beginning.

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Row the Boat

I love true stories. Great story about a bunch of poor college kids from Washington who surprised the country and the world. Joe's tough childhood makes me look at my sons and realize how lucky they are. Tough times build tough people.

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loved .

felt I was in the boat with them. narration was fabulous. loved this book. well worth the read

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Worth listening to again and again

This is an inspiring story, very well told, of strong young men. Definitely worth a listen, more than once even.

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A former Columbia oarsmen and American Jew.

Found the story riveting. Had my daughter, a high school oarswoman listen as well. Great insight.

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Blew me away!!!

This book is so awesome it deserves the millions of five star reviews that it received. It made me so happy to read that book.

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Love this book

This book was a little slow to start but I quickly feel in love with the story. I got sucked in and couldn't wait to listen. I was even late to work once because I couldn't turn it off. highly recommend.

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Perfect for a road trip!

Absolutely loved this story! Inspirational, well written and makes you all warm and fuzzy. Haha.
Highly recommend

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I am proud of our boys!

this book was well written and I enjoyed the narration of it as well. the author caught the story so very well. and the history beside the story brought it to life. I will read again! couldn't be more proud of our boys!

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