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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This book brought history as lived by people of the time. Life I couldn’t imagine. Having to live through their eyes and as accepting of their lives as they were taught me a lot. Sometimes it was bogged down in information about crewing, but I read it all. Anyone can read this book, definitely not chick lit.
I just finished this book and I did not want it to end! It was inspirational and exciting at the same time! I felt like I was in the boat with the crew! The boys were so admirable , trying to get an education during the depression.
Really great read
One of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. A truly inspiring story on so many levels.
This true story was deeply satisfying. The characters were intense. The premise was intriguing. Following the struggle kept me so involved in the lives of all the characters that I felt like I was right there training with them. It was an intense account of a wonderful piece of sports history and it was very well written.
Brown does an excellent job weaving in several different stories to bring together an engrossing picture of small town athletics thrust upon the world stage. While it takes a couple chapters to really catch on to what Brown is doing, it soon becomes clear that he’s taken the time to tell the back stories of key players who are not the central …
A must read!
It was a wonderful human interest story and gave you a great sense of the hardships of the Depression.
This is such a good story but it is told in such a matter of fact manner that it is hard to get through.
This is one of the best books I’ve read. I didn’t particularly think it was my cup of tea in the genre department, but it was SO well done and interesting, I couldn’t put it down.
Wonderful read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I highly recommend this book. I loved it.
Great book about a true event of the wonderful exploits of a West Coast rowing crew and their run to winning the Olympics.
Loved this dramatic book focusing on teamwork, faith, overcoming impossible odds. If you love competitive sports, guts and great characters, this book delivers. I selected this book to read in my book club during the upcoming Olympics. Awesome and then some!
I love reading about history in an entertaining story. This is just that kind of book. It is the true account of a boy that survived the great depression and the dust bowl to end up rowing a boat in college with such determination and endurance that only comes from surviving hardships. A great read within a historical setting.
It is a little hard to stick with, but worth the effort. A very well researched true story.
Little known but great history
So well written and researched. I was fixated from beginning to end.
Great writing.
It kept me engaged the whole time.