The #1 New York Times–bestselling story about American Olympic triumph in Nazi Germany and now the inspiration for the PBS documentary “The Boys of ‘36’.”For readers 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 … 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.
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Really well written book but tragic because it is about war.
This is a great book about the boys who worked hard to get to the Olympics.
A fantastic read – a better story, so well written. Historical and so many lessons to be gleaned from the stories of these incredible men. A great read.
Interesting story of the dedication and sacrifice these men made to try and win the Olympics .
Not at the top of my list. I was disappointed that it didnt end the way I thought it should.
Loved this true story of underdogs going for the gold in Nazi Germany. One of my favorite books ever.
I thought it was a great book and very inspirational. Based on a true story, a book that motivates you to never give up. Well written, developed plot.
Very informative and well written. Covers a subject and period of time I knew little about making the book even more enjoyable. Well written.
Great story and writing!!
I prefer fiction and don’t usually read non-fiction or anything about sports, but our county used this book for an all-county read. Several of my friends were talking about it so I gave it a try. It was outstanding. It read more like a historical novel and was gripping. I highly recommend it.
I used this book with guys who like military stories and didn’t like to read.
Even if you know the ending, you find yourself routing for USA. Heart stopping in a good way.
Daniel James Brown did a great job helping me understand a sport I knew nothing about. He took a topic I assumed I was uninterested in and hooked me immediately. You can’t help but root for these hardworking kids from Washington.
My book club loved it, all 6 of us!
Five Stars!
A fantastic look back at the nine young men who made their way from humble lives in the Pacific Northwest to gold medalists at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Whether or not you have an interest in crew, this book is sure to please anyone with a love for well-told, meticulously researched stories.
Great story and writing!
Inspirational, beautifully written. One of my favorite books of all time.highly recommend.
The story of an epic journey of college students determination and perseverance to make it to the Olympics in Hitler’s Berlin. A good combination of human character, history, and boat making that I found very enjoyable.
Great book!!!!