The Boys in the Boat Audiobook Review
The Boys in the Boat: 9 Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics – An Audio Book Review
- The Boys in the Boat: 9 Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
- Author: Daniel James Brown
- Narrated by: Edward Herrman
- Length: 14 hours and 25 minutes
- Unabridged
- Genre: Sports
Audio book Summary:
The Boys in the Boat tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 8-Oar team and their journey for Olympic gold during the Berlin Olympics. Their story of true grit against adversity will help revolutionize the sport and capture the imaginations of millions of people around the world. The team, which is comprised of sons of simple individuals such as loggers and farmers, will go on to face elite crews from well-known Eastern and British Universities and finally against the German team.
The soul of the story revolves around one of the rowers, Joe Rant. Rantz rows for the team not for the gold but to find a place he can call home. While individually the team is not exceptional in their physical traits, it is the trust each member has on each other that makes them a great team. They showed how much we can accomplish if we simply put our faith in each other and keep moving forward.
The Boys in the Boat is an uplifting story about an underdog team that nobody believed can win. Truth is they didn’t need for anybody to believe in them, all they needed was to believe in themselves and each other.
One reason to listen:
This is an inspiring true underdog story about how far determination, commitment and optimism can push the human spirit.
Reactions:
“Edward Herrmann’s flawless reading is smooth, clear and authoritative, yet also intimate in the telling of the very personal stories of Depression era America and early Third Reich Germany, as teams of rowers approached the race of a lifetime that to the world was more than just a boat race. And just a side note – you can find video of the race on Youtube.” – Janice
“The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympic’ is a tireless story of triumph that endures beyond cliché and predictability. Reflective of a time where a generation of Americans was tested through the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, this true story of Joe Rantz and his eight University of Washington boat crew teammates follows their journey from humble origins detailing their sense of national pride and self determination to take on elite boat crews around the globe. The novel culminates into a true David and Goliath showdown between the Americans and the German national team at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. ” – Charles
“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! – C. Telfair
“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.” – Jacqueline
“Daniel James Brown takes a story about nine “boys,” shows us how those “boys” were just regular people like the rest of us. And then he tells a wonderful tale of how, by committing to one another, they achieve something truly great. This is a book that highlights a little-remembered moment in history that is was so remarkable, it’s chill-inducing. I do want to add the cautionary note that after reading this book, there is a high likelihood that you will lose several hours on YouTube, watching the amazing footage of these young men at the Berlin Olympics.” – Anastasia Burke
“I think the book was too slow to progress; it seems like it took chapters to get too much in the way of anything interesting. I understand that the character development was critical in order to give the reader the true impact of the looming success, but I honestly thought about trading the book in for the first few hours. Ultimately glad I listened to it, but man…a bit slow in the first 25%” – Michael
Score on Audible: 4.7 out of 5
Score on Amazon: 5 out of 5
