The Boys In The Boat: An Epic Journey to the Heart of Hitler's Berlin

I really enjoyed this book! The story of the American rowing team that went to the 1936 Berlin Olympics is inspiring in its own right, but what really stood out to me was the level of detail and research the author put into it. Daniel James Brown is a journalist, and it shows in the best way. It was gorgeously researched. He doesn't just tell the story of the boys in the boat, he digs deep into their individual lives, their families, their struggles, and how they came together as a team. I loved that he also brought in the craftsmanship of the boat itself and the story of the boatbuilder. There’s so much care and depth in how he describes the process of carving and shaping the shell, and how important that craftsmanship was to their success. It’s written with such warmth and respect for the people involved, and even though I’m not into rowing, I was hooked! The final race had me holding my breath, and I've never watched an actual rowing race in my life! It's such a great book that I've since gifted it to both friends and family. There was a movie made of this a couple of years ago, and it simply doesn't go near doing the book justice. Skip the mediocre movie and read the superb book!

It's a little long-winded, and I questioned the need for the reader to know the details of every single race, but a fascinating insight into the life of Joe Rantz and the art of rowing. Joes mother died when he was four. His father eventually remarries, but Joe doesn't get along with his new stepmother, who's actually the sister of his brother's wife and it's not long before Joe is booted out of the family home, living at the schoolhouse and doing various jobs to pay for his upkeep. By the time he was 15 he was left completely on his own when the family moved away, and at this stage there's no doubting Joe's dad is just about the worst father ever. But Joe works hard, felling trees nd any other work he can find, and through perseverance saves up the money to get into Washington University, and makes the rowing team. Through grit, setbacks and determination the team makes it to Hitler's Germany for the 1936 Olympics. All in all, this is a fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone. Before reading this book I'll admit I had little interest in rowing, but this book opened up a whole new world. The techniques used are incredible. I honestly had no idea. An excellent book!

I found this a very enjoyable account of the medal-winning rowing eight in the 1936 Olympics, from their arrival as Freshmen at college in the Autumn of 1932 through to the event itself and immediate aftermath. As someone who both rowed and coxed at college, I enjoyed all the lengthy descriptions of technique and outings but I suspect non-rowers may find that aspect a bit over-done. However, the book is well structured, tells an interesting true story and, on the whole, is very well-written although DJB does have a tendency to over-write at times. Everything needs at least three adjectives to describe it, every hat is worn at a 'jaunty angle', every dress 'summery and floral', every jumper 'worn and threadbare' (the poor Westerners) or 'emblazoned with a crest' (the rich East Coast boys) and so on. There is a fine line between being descriptive and stating the blinking obvious and when we hear about people 'attacking steaks with knives and forks' you are ready to scream 'Really??? Not machetes and whale harpoons?' Apart from that, it is a compelling tale and the interweaving of the parallel events unfolding in Nazi Germany is very well executed. Rowers will love it. Sports fans or anyone who likes a true story of underdogs triumphing will like it a lot.

An account of the rowing team from Seattle that achieved Olympic glory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and a great book. True, some of the rowing details are not my favourite but the author describes the races in a compelling way. What I really enjoyed was reading about the lives of the characters, and that of Joe Rantz in particular, who the author got to interview before his death, and how tough life was back in the depression but how he didn’t give up. It’s also a great insight into Washington state at that time. You will also get to read about the preparation for and staging of how the 1936 Olympics, and how Hitler successfully used the games as propaganda so successfully that those participating came away with the impression that Nazi Germany was a ‘nice’ place. Even if like me, you’re not a rowing enthusiast, I would still recommend this wonderful work.

Although I struggled with this book on times, it deserves 5 stars because it is beautifully written, a moving and gripping true story, and a fascinating work of history. Joe's story was particularly moving his struggles in his early life, which he overcame with such courage will resonate with me for a long time. It's impossible not to get wrapped up in the emotion. Great book.

The insights given about the training, mindset, and strategy of racing crews is spectacular. I couldn’t put the book down as it is the ultimate underdog wins feel-good story. Glimpses into pre-war Germany provided historical background, but the very best part of the book was the actual race sequences. I was able to see the scene more clearly than movie footage!

There are a number of features of this book which it earn a five star rating.. Firstly the writing is smooth.and makes for enjoyable reading. From start to finnish there is not a single jarring note. The descriptions of the lives and times of the characters and their development during the depression during the 30's in the USA, was most moving. It was well researched and a true story making the book riveting, exciting and a page turner. It proved to me that a book need not be a crime thriller to make one want to read on. Not the least was the wonderful descriptions of the art of the rowing regattas and revelations of the emotions and the development of the crew. The picture painted of the rise of Nazi Germany was historically accurate including the lengths they went to in order to impress the world and to hide their terrible treatment of the Jews. In summary a fine historical story well told.

Outstanding story, a huge defeat for Hitler and the nazis. Ordinary people doing great in order to achieve their target, the olympic medal!

If I had not been inspired enough by the Olympics then this book certainly add another level of pure inspiration. Fantastically written, focusing on the individual men in the boat and at the same time providing real insight into the period of history just before the Second World War. Incredible, brilliant read.

日本人にはあまり知られていないが、映画化も決まっていてアメリカ人にはお馴染みなストーリーだと思って読んでみました。ボート競技の勝敗だけでなく、それに関わる多くの人のドラマが織り込まれていて、ボート競技や歴史に興味がない人も楽しめる本です。