Title: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Author: Daniel James Brown
Genre: History
Pages: 404
Rating (out of 5 stars): ***1/2
Reviewed by: Ben
Description: Jesse Owens is the most famous American from the 1936 Olympics, but this book tells the story of 9 working-class boys from the University of Washington who competed in the 8-oar crew race in Berlin. Most the book tells their back story, detailing the tough conditions of the depression, and how they came together as a team to beat the odds.
Thoughts: If you liked Unbroken or Seabiscuit, then you would like this book. It's very much in that same flavor, and it's extremely well-written. I love that it told a story I had never heard before, and I especially liked the sections that detailed how 8-men crew teams have to flow together perfectly as one group to achieve any sort of success. Also, the backgrounds of some of the boys was simultaneously appalling and fascinating. My only complaint with the book is that it felt a bit formulaic, as many sports tales can be. But other than that, it was great.
Disclaimer: None.
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