• 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 (42,051 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  cover art

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 Best Sports Audiobooks to Get You in the Game


Whether you’re a die-hard sports fanatic or a casual observer, you’ve likely felt the rush of adrenaline that comes from watching a world-class competitor at peak performance. Another way to capture the high energy of professional athletics? A sports audiobook with the perfect balance of substance and style. From rags-to-riches stories to tales of the biggest comebacks, these audiobooks will bring you closer to the game than ever before.

What listeners say about The Boys in the Boat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,315
  • 4 Stars
    4,530
  • 3 Stars
    895
  • 2 Stars
    183
  • 1 Stars
    128
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,280
  • 4 Stars
    3,845
  • 3 Stars
    693
  • 2 Stars
    135
  • 1 Stars
    98
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,315
  • 4 Stars
    3,518
  • 3 Stars
    817
  • 2 Stars
    177
  • 1 Stars
    108

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

Outstanding

Loved every second of this book. The story and the narration are near perfection. Highly recommend!

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

Well performed

A larger than life story, beautifully brought to life in this performance. Well done!

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

Exceptional!

I loved this book! It always kept my interest. Also a really fascinating story! I highly recommend this book.

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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Amazing Story that Should Be Remembered

This is a really great book that tells the story of the University of Washington rowing team, and in particular, Joe Rantz, in winning national titles and ultimately representing the U.S. at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. The book is well written and really moves along. It combines Joe Rantz's compelling personal story along with that of the team. It does not matter if you do not know a thing about competitive rowing--I had only the most general knowledge. I also had not realized what a popular sport it was at the beginning of the 20th Century.

There have been some complaints in other reviews about Edward Herrmann's narration. I was surprised to read them, because Herrmann is one of my favorite narrators. Many criticisms centered on mispronunciations of the names of towns and places in Washington state. I really can't comment on that, but know that Herrmann did mangle a few other pronunciations. Surprising, given his talent and the popularity of this book. Maybe it was rushed into production. Still, don't let these minor issues deter you. It is a great book and a good, not great, narration.

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

Inspiring

It made me cheer and cry !
The narrator pulled me in with each word - simply amazing ! I originally bought the hard cover for my dad, a rower himself, and he was taken over by so much emotion- I had to listen for myself . He was right - what an inspiration these men were and continue to be - a must read / listen !

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

Beautiful

In tears by the end and not wanting it to end! Such a moving story of perseverance and brotherhood!! Loved it!!

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

Uplifting story of determination !

A captivating story that was made even better by the narrator! My mother grew up in Seattle at the time and I enjoyed the vision of the city and also the historical aspect of Germany that was presented by the author.

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

Excellent

Excellent story
Excellent narration
I usually work around the house or in the yard while listening to audio books.
This one much of the time I just wanted to sit and listen and not miss a word or a pause. And worth a second listen at some point, I think. I really can recommend this audiobook.

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

Pure Excellence

Absolutely loved the story. By the time you're through with the book you love the boys in the boat as well. Highly recommended.

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

INCREDIBLE

What an amazing story :) was truly moved and inspired by this novel. I would highly recommend it to all audiences.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!