The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel James Brown
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown holds a highly rated rating of 4.32 out of 5, based on 113.6K reader ratings. First published in 2013. The book spans 404 pages.
About The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Unbroken, the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics.Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together—a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism.Drawing on the boys' own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant. It will appeal to readers of Erik Larson, Timothy Egan, James Bradley, and David Halberstam's The Amateurs.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Daniel James Brown |
| Published | 2013 |
| Pages | 404 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, History, Sports, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 4.32 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 113,565 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics is categorized as Non-Fiction, History, Sports, Biography & Memoir. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics worth reading?
Based on 113.6K reader ratings, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics has an average score of 4.32 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics has 404 pages.
Who wrote The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics was written by Daniel James Brown. It was first published in 2013.
What is the ISBN for The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
The ISBN-13 for The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics is 9780670025820.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
