Summary
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is a gripping account of the University of Washington's rowing team and their journey to gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The narrative focuses on Joe Rantz, one of the nine working-class young men who made up the unlikely Olympic crew. Grounded in meticulous research, Brown weaves together personal accounts, historical context, and the technical aspects of competitive rowing to create a compelling portrait of an era and a celebration of the human spirit. Published in 2013, this real-life tale of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the looming threat of Nazi Germany captivated readers and became a #1 New York Times bestseller.
The Boys in the Boat has inspired notable adaptations, including a 2017 PBS documentary, The Boys of '36, and a 2023 film, produced and directed by George Clooney.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, The Boys in the Boat follows the journey of nine working-class young men from the University of Washington's rowing team. These sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers defied expectations by competing against and defeating elite crews from the East Coast of the United States and Great Britain.
At the heart of the story is Joe Rantz, a teenager abandoned by his family who finds purpose and belonging through rowing. As Rantz and his teammates hone their skills and build an unbreakable bond, they progress through increasingly challenging competitions, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.
The book culminates with the team's participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Against the ominous backdrop of Nazi Germany, the American crew faces their greatest challenge yet. They must compete against the German team, who are rowing for Adolf Hitler himself, in a high-stakes race for Olympic gold.
Drawing from the rowers' personal journals and memories, the narrative weaves together their individual struggles with the larger historical context, chronicling not only their athletic achievements but also their personal growth and the forging of lifelong friendships.
Themes
Triumph over adversity
The power of teamwork and unity
Perseverance in the face of hardship
Coming of age and personal growth
The impact of historical events on individual lives
The pursuit of the American dream
The transformative power of sport
Setting
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, The Boys in the Boat unfolds in the American West, primarily in the state of Washington. The story centers around the University of Washington's rowing team, composed of working-class young men from humble backgrounds.
The narrative spans from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast of the United States, where the team competes against elite rowing programs. It then crosses the Atlantic to England for the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, before culminating in Berlin, Germany, during the 1936 Olympic Games.
Throughout the book, Daniel James Brown vividly describes the harsh economic conditions of the 1930s, contrasting the struggles of Depression-era America with the rising power of Nazi Germany. The juxtaposition of these settings—from the rugged landscapes of Washington State to the carefully orchestrated spectacle of Hitler's Berlin—provides a rich historical context for the team's journey.
Key Figures
Joe Rantz: The main protagonist and a member of the University of Washington rowing team. Abandoned by his family as a teenager, Joe overcomes poverty and self-doubt to become a key member of the gold medal-winning crew. His personal struggles and growth form the emotional core of the story. Joe's determination and resilience exemplify the spirit of the entire team.
Al Ulbrickson: The stern and demanding coach of the University of Washington rowing team. Ulbrickson pushes the boys to their limits, shaping them into a world-class crew. His strategic decisions and unwavering belief in his team play a crucial role in their success.
George Yeoman Pocock: The master boat builder and rowing guru. Pocock crafts the team's racing shells and serves as a mentor to the boys, particularly Joe. His wisdom and insights about rowing and life profoundly influence the team's development.
Bobby Moch: The coxswain of the gold medal-winning crew. Small in stature but big in spirit, Moch's strategic thinking and ability to motivate his teammates prove crucial in their Olympic victory.
Don Hume: The stroke oar of the winning crew. Hume's smooth, powerful rowing sets the pace for the entire boat.
Roger Morris: A member of the gold medal-winning crew. Morris comes from a working-class background and forms a close friendship with Joe Rantz.
Joyce Simdars: Joe Rantz's girlfriend and later wife. Joyce provides emotional support and stability for Joe throughout his struggles.
Thula LaFollette: Joe's stepmother who influences his father to abandon him. Her actions deeply affect Joe's emotional development.
Quick facts
The Boys in the Boat spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.
The Boys in the Boat focuses on the University of Washington's eight-oar crew team that won gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Author Daniel James Brown was inspired to write the book after meeting Joe Rantz, one of the rowers.
Brown devoted more than four years to researching and writing the book, drawing on the rowers' personal journals and memories to recreate their experiences.
The story emphasizes themes of teamwork, perseverance, and overcoming adversity.
The book highlights the economic hardships of the team’s working-class members during the Great Depression.
The Boys in the Boat won the 2014 Washington State Book Award.
The book inspired a 2017 PBS American Experience documentary called The Boys of '36.
In 2023, The Boys in the Boat was adapted into a major motion picture directed by George Clooney.
About the Author
Daniel James Brown (1951-) is an accomplished American author of narrative nonfiction. His work often explores themes of resilience, courage, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. His books include Under a Flaming Sky (2007), chronicling an 1894 firestorm; The Indifferent Stars Above (2009), shedding new light on the legendary Donner party; and the New York Times bestseller The Boys in the Boat (2013), celebrating the working-class athletes behind a stunning American Olympic triumph in Nazi Germany. His most recent book, Facing the Mountain (2021), captures the remarkable valor of Japanese-American soldiers in Europe during World War II.
Born in Berkeley, California, Brown grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Diablo Valley College, the University of California at Berkeley, and UCLA. He taught writing at San Jose State University and Stanford before becoming a technical writer and editor. He now writes books full time, with a focus on bringing historical events to life with accuracy and vivid immediacy. His meticulous research and engaging storytelling style have earned him the honor of being named a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick and winning the Washington State Book Award, among other accolades.
Brown leads a quiet life outside Seattle, Washington, with his wife and a menagerie of pets. Aside from writing, he enjoys birding, gardening, fly fishing, and reading American history.
