The Boys in the Boat
Summary:
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. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)
Review:
This book was INCREDIBLE. I agree with the blurb, I found this book very much like “Unbroken” in that it was impossible to put down and an incredible blend of history, sportsmanship, and unexpected odds. I didn’t know much about rowing prior to moving to London and randomly had the book passed on to me by my friend Grace. So, it was lucky happenstance to start reading this just as I began rowing lessons, which was a fun parallel.
Despite that, I believe this is a story anyone would enjoy. The book does a great job describing the circumstances of the German Olympics and unusual aspects the athletes had to manage. I appreciated Brown adding in a few things the athletes would not have realized as well. It’s interesting to think about the contrast between today’s athletes and how the structure of sport has changed so much. Highly recommended for sports fans and / or those interested in learning a bit more about this chapter of history. There’s a movie that is supposedly coming out that looks like it could be quite good!
Rating: 5 stars!
Who should read it? Fans of an underdog and/or sports story.