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

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

Narrative Gold

It's fairly astonishing that no one has stumbled onto this story before: it is narrative gold. Brown is not the most elegant writer, but he is a diligent researcher, and skillfully moves between the personal and particular, and the grander themes of the Depression and WWII. And, of course, the story is inherently thrilling, full of vivid characters and the vast machinery of history. Yes, we know how the story ends -- but the reader is nonetheless on the edge of his seat throughout.

One cavil with the otherwise excellent narration: many of the place names in the Northwest are hideously mispronounced. I will grant that "Puyallup" is a challenge (it's "pew-AL-up", not "pile-up") but Alki??? It's "ALK-EYE" not "al-kee", as if an entire neighborhood were deemed a drunk.

Yes, Yes, Yes

I was so slow purchasing this one... but 3700 other readers ranking it at a 5 aren't wrong. It is a gentle, plain but uplifting account of how 9 young Americans, the product of the great depression and dust bowl overcame all odds to win the 1936 Berlin Olympics. You know how it is going to end from the title... but clear to the win you aren't really sure it can possibly happen.

I love how it is nestled into history. My elderly family members don't want to read "Unbroken" or other WWII and depression era stories. "We lived it and don't want to hear about it anymore" they tell me. Although Brown, ties you into the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, the New Deal and start of WWII... this isn't a focus on what they endured, rather is there only to show how it made them stronger. I think they will love this one.

The narrator did great... you can tell he isn't from the Northwest, the place names, just didn't come from the mouth of a native. Still a 5 star narration.

Pure Adrenalin! An Absolute Delight

You would not have thought that a book about crew and I would be at all compatible! My only knowledge of rowing comes from when I was a kid shuffling my Dad from one place to another while he caught no fish. I always took a book!

No matter, this listen is for everyone. The writing and the boys of the title are so sublime that the story skims along - as quick and lightly as "The Boat" itself. Daniel James Brown has taken exactly the right approach to telling the tale. He chose a few individuals whose compelling personal lives frame the excitement of the sports action with emotion and genuine feeling. Then he finished with the extraordinary circumstances of that particular Olympics of 1936.

It's a crackerjack combination. I am so grateful that I chose this Audible offering - mostly on a whim. Brown's exemplary writing, the inspiration of the story, and the perfectly measured voice of Edward Herrmann create an almost transcendent listening experience! An amazing book!! I am in awe!

A Once in a Lifetime Moment in History

The combination of the amazing author skills of Daniel James Brown--along with the outstanding narrating ability of Edward Hermann--blew me away!

These nine athletes pull together in a quiet determination in preparation for the greatest achievement of their lives. They didn't have the money of some of the other teams, or the best clothing or living arrangements--what they had was some of the most remarkable resolve to maintain their goals and support for the team --each and every one of them. Not to be left out is the shell builder, George Pocock, who had as much influence on the boys as anyone. His dedication to making the perfect shell is quite a story in itself--I found out much more about this sport than I thought I would.

Listening to the winning race was breathtaking. I knew how the race ends- we all do - but I wasn't able to keep from being nervous and cheering the American team on as though I was in the stands. That is what this narrator does--just like in Unbroken, he pulls you in.

Everything came together at that time in history--the right team, the right coach, an amazing shell builder, and their combined efforts to achieve a once in a lifetime moment.

A must listen!

I found the propaganda efforts in Germany one of the most disgusting parts of the story--the fake front they were able to put up for the world during that time was nauseating -as well as Hitler's efforts to unfairly give advantages to the German team over the other's --this was a very small portion of the story, yet had to be included. It makes this story even more amazing.

Inspiring story

What made the experience of listening to The Boys in the Boat the most enjoyable?

Compelling story, and very interesting recounting of conditions in the Northwest during the depression and just before WW II.

What other book might you compare The Boys in the Boat to and why?

Playing the Enemy or Endurance

What aspect of Edward Herrmann’s performance would you have changed?

Narrator should have done his homework...he mispronounces most of the Washington State place names! Very irritating to us in the Evergreen State.

My Favorite Non-Fiction book for Years

Inspiring, heart warming and a great listen, "The Boys in the Boat" really got to me. Edward Hermann was the perfect narrator for Daniel Browns story of a group of 17-20 year olds, all of whom strive to be the best at what they are doing. It follows them from Freshmen thru their Senior year as well as also following the evolution of a boatbuilder who refined the wood ships that were then the only ships available.

Even though they weren't necessarily the best students scholastically they are the type of teens I wish were around now. Living in the NorthWest as I do, I was surprised I hadn't heard about the Huskies Rowing Crew of 1936. After finishing my non stop listen, I called my sister and brother, both of whom went to U-Dub, which is, for some reason I haven't yet learned, is the locals nickname for Washington State University in Seattle. The story takes place during the depression and also describes the hard work the young team members did to pay their tuition and the evolution of the Dust Bowl which happened at the same general period of time.

These guys rowed in the 8 man boat in the 1936 Olympics, which were held in Berlin prior to the start of Hitlers rise to fame. While Germany swept all the other rowing awards, this team from the boonies, made up of loggers, fisherman's and farmers sons competed for against 4 years against the elite song men from Princeton, Yale, Navy, and other 'upper class' and wealthy of the East Coast. About the only other West Coast team mentioned was the Olympic Medal willing Cal State team from Berkley, who won Olympic Gold for 2 years prior to and several years after U-Dub's big win.

Daniel Brown injects a bit of humor into this biography of a cedar boat when he writes about the huge class differences between the coasts when writes about the differences in rowing apparel. Everyone from the East Coast schools wore nice and matching uniforms while the Husky team wore old sweats and mismatched T-shirts..even when rowing at the Olympics.

This is the kind of story that makes me proud to be both an American and a NorthWesterner. It is an ideal listen for long family road trips and is sure to inspire teens towards athletic endeavors-not just crewing.

Good also for anyone who enjoys sports stories and even WWII or depression era novels. I also decided to purchase "Unbroken", another biographically oriented novel about the same Olympics-and it's narrated by Edward Hermann also. As many of you know, "Unbroken" has been made into a movie-and I think "The Boys in the Boat" should also be made into a film, if it hasn't been yet.

A Story That Needed to be Told

Such an inspiring story. I loved learning the back stories of these courageous and talented boys, and then reading about their successes as well as their failures in the boat, especially in the 1936 Olympics. You know, the one where Hitler thought the Germans would win everything. It is a great story for anyone to read.

An Unbelievable Ride Filled with Surprises

This unimaginable story is an inspirational ride from start to finish. The narration enhances an exciting story that showcases what is truly important in life. This is now my all-time favourite book both for its literary merit-- the way it is written and how it weaves together the story of the 1936 rowing team from the University of Washington together with the backdrop of Hitler's Germany-- and the deeper understanding it provides for readers to put the events of their lives into perspective. It is hard to imagine a book ever replacing this one in my life.

Phenomenal Book!

Brilliant writing and outstanding narrative. I highly recommend this Audible recording to any lending ear. Truly engaging, running the full gamut of emotion. Well done all around.

I had no idea!

Any additional comments?

An amazing true story and one of the Top 15 audio books I've had the pleasure to experience. Who knew that rowing was so popular in the U.S. during this era? A fantastic human interest story that kept my attention from start to finish. I was sorry when this one ended, and I think you'll be very pleased to invest your credit and time with this tale. The Boys in the Boat earns a 10 out of 10 on my subjective scale.