Scan barcode
A review by mmarlborough
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
4.5
This was for our monthly book club! We’ve met regularly since 2016 (and over zoom during the pandemic) and I can categorically say this is the first book everyone LOVED.
Brown tells us the story of the 1936 Olympic medal winning crew team from the University of Washington. They came from blue collar families yet beat many elite, rich teams from around the world. Brown vividly depicts different men of the team, centering mostly around Joe Rantz. We also get to know the coach, all set alongside the backdrop to Hitler’s rise to power in Germany (who the men row for at the Olympics.)
First off, let me be clear that not only am I not a rower, but I do not care about sports. Yet this struck Ted Lasso vibes - I cared about everyone deeply, as individuals and as a team. Gotta love an underdog story! Brown also brilliantly weaves the history and context of German politics without halting the story, only adding to it. This was so fascinating and don’t be surprised if you shed a tear towards the end! I look forward to watching the film adaptation.
Side note: I started off reading this on my ereader, which was accompanied by great pictures throughout. I switched to the audiobook to finish in time for our meeting and loved Edward Herrmann’s narration. Always and forever Richard Gilmore, he added a level of class. So I cannot recommend a specific format because both have their perks! I’m glad I did both.
✨Content Warnings: Antisemitism, Child Abuse, War, Racism, Xenophobia, Death of a Parent, Police Brutality, Pregnancy, Cancer
Brown tells us the story of the 1936 Olympic medal winning crew team from the University of Washington. They came from blue collar families yet beat many elite, rich teams from around the world. Brown vividly depicts different men of the team, centering mostly around Joe Rantz. We also get to know the coach, all set alongside the backdrop to Hitler’s rise to power in Germany (who the men row for at the Olympics.)
First off, let me be clear that not only am I not a rower, but I do not care about sports. Yet this struck Ted Lasso vibes - I cared about everyone deeply, as individuals and as a team. Gotta love an underdog story! Brown also brilliantly weaves the history and context of German politics without halting the story, only adding to it. This was so fascinating and don’t be surprised if you shed a tear towards the end! I look forward to watching the film adaptation.
Side note: I started off reading this on my ereader, which was accompanied by great pictures throughout. I switched to the audiobook to finish in time for our meeting and loved Edward Herrmann’s narration. Always and forever Richard Gilmore, he added a level of class. So I cannot recommend a specific format because both have their perks! I’m glad I did both.
✨Content Warnings: Antisemitism, Child Abuse, War, Racism, Xenophobia, Death of a Parent, Police Brutality, Pregnancy, Cancer