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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Fantastic book and fantastic narration. Highly recommend!

This is easily one of my favorite books of all time. Great history and great storytelling.

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Amazing story

Amazing story that reminds us of all that was going on in the word at the same time

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Great story! Great moment in history!

Loved the story and the narrator who told it. I could picture the events I'm my mind as they happened. Very memorable indeed!

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Read it now!

I don't know why it took me so long to find this book. I was probably living under a rock. I loved it. I think the best compliment that you can give a book is that it changes you for the good. That is what this book did for me. It made me want to be a better person. The character of these men and what they accomplished is inspiring.

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An amazing story told by an amazing narrator

As you listen, this vividly detailed and spectacularly well-written story literally comes to life thanks to the exceptional narration. While having personal knowledge of crew makes the story even more meaningful, it is an amazing story of resilience, and determination that spans the ages.

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A must read

One of the best books to data and seems so timing for what I perceive as struggles. This is hard work, mindset, history, and a great story all in one book.

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Wow

Best sports book I have ever read. I found myself so enthralled I would sit in my driveway for ten minutes to hear how one of the many races covered ended. The narrative flows very well and Edward Herrmann’s performance is second to none. Great listen, terrific book.

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A heart-warming story impeccably researched

This book details the story of the 1936 U.S. Olympic crew team - a bunch of poor and in some cases unwanted young men who overcame all odds to win the Olympic medal against the Germans just prior to the start of World War II. I absolutely loved every minute of this book and sat at the edge of my seat (and my rower) even though I knew how it would end. You will wish the main characters were in your living room so you can give them a hug and you'll be rooting for them - and yourself - the entire way.

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Great History

This was an awesome true story that I had never heard of before. Being an avid sports fan, this was truly a great piece of sports history. This is not a sports book per-say. Had a lot of history pre WWII as well as the build up to WWII. Just a really well written book that kept me hooked the whole way through.

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Fantastic story.

I rowed at Washington for a handful of months my freshman year. I love this book, I loved remembering what it felt like to be out on the water, and the reader told this story with great reverence. My only grump is the mispronunciation of so many Washington place names. Seems a silly thing to quibble about, but it is somewhat distracting to the story to hear many of the place names I grew up with get a bit mangled.

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