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 (42,808 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: 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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes for Whenever You Need a Little Encouragement


We all have bad days and dry spells. We all experience moments of disappointment, sadness, and self-doubt. And occasionally, we all need an encouraging word—or several—to lift our spirits, boost our confidence, and fill us with hope. Straight from the works of best-selling and widely admired authors, here's a collection of positive and reassuring words you can turn to anytime you're in need of support.

What listeners say about The Boys in the Boat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,999
  • 4 Stars
    4,586
  • 3 Stars
    903
  • 2 Stars
    188
  • 1 Stars
    132
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,900
  • 4 Stars
    3,885
  • 3 Stars
    702
  • 2 Stars
    138
  • 1 Stars
    102
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33,938
  • 4 Stars
    3,559
  • 3 Stars
    824
  • 2 Stars
    177
  • 1 Stars
    112

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

All the feels! Exceptional!

So glad I found this book. The narrator did an outstanding job. The author wrote this book with such inspiration, love and you can feel his sense of loyalty to get it right in honor of these men.

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

1000 Stars!

Love the book so much. And the narrator. I was on a collegiate crew team, and the author is spot on.

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

Important, historical, educational heart wrenching and as well as heart warming

This book was referred to me and I’m so glad it was. In retrospect this could be required reading for its historical content I learned so much.
Highly recommended reading

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!

This book is fascinating on so many levels- from the details of the mechanics of rowing to the historical propaganda of Hitler. However, the most notable accomplishment of the author is the ability to bring the reader the personal stories of these boys such that you feel connected. I feel confident that the narrator made a large contribution here too. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat for a race with a known outcome. Worth every minute!

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

Incredible storytelling by author and narrator. An absolute must-listen! The story is engaging from beginning to end, and you won’t want to stop listening.

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

Stellar book, masterful narration

I was captivated from beginning to end. Brown’s writing is stellar, Herrmann’s narration soars. I had never conceptualized the layering of the historical events of the Depression, the rise of Hitler, and the development of the Washington crew, beautifully personalized through the story of Joe Rantz. Moving, perspective-shifting stuff. 10 out of 10 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

What an amazing woman

Loved hearing your story and inspires you to be the best you can. The bonds of your teammates last a lifetime!

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

love to hear the story

I enjoyed it so much that I have listened to it 3 times now and it is just as good as the 1st time

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

Fabulous

An epic story of the what it takes to be a crew; interlaced with the history surrounding Washington’s 1936 Olympic battle in Berlin.

Amazing storytelling!

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

Outstanding

All around top notch, from story to the reading. This is an absolute read for folks of all ages.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!