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A 30-Minute Instaread Summary the Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
PLEASE NOTE: This is a summary of the book and NOT the original book. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown - A 30-minute Instaread SummaryInside this Instaread Summary: - Overview of the entire book
- Introduction to the important people in the book
- Summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book
- Key Takeaways of the book
- A Reader's Perspective
Preview of this summary: Chapter OneIt was a gray October morning in Seattle during the fourth year of the Great Depression. One in every four Americans had no job and millions were homeless. At the University of Washington, freshmen Roger Morris and Joe Rantz registered for the rowing team at the shell house. Only nine of the 175 applicants would be chosen. Joe, who came from a modest home, wanted to be a chemical engineer and to marry his girlfriend. Most of all, he wanted to be on the rowing team.
One of the men running the rowing tests was Tom Bolles, the freshman coach. He was in charge of teaching the basics of the sport of rowing. The other tester was Alvin Ulbrickson, head coach of the University of Washington's rowing program.
In Germany, Adolf Hitler supervised renovations at the Olympic Stadium. He was initially weary of the idea of Berlin hosting the 1936 Olympics, but Joseph Goebbels, the minister of propaganda, changed his mind. Goebbels job was to control the press in Germany to ensure that it always exalted the Nazi party. He believed hosting the Olympic Games would be an opportunity to not only promote the party within his own country, but throughout the world. He wanted the world to believe Germany was a powerful, civilized and friendly nation.
Chapter TwoJoe and his brother, Fred, grew up in Spokane, Washington, where their father, Harry, owned an automobile manufacturing and repair shop. When Joe was four, his mother died of throat cancer. His father, overcome with grief, fled to Canada. Fred went to college. Joe was sent to live with his aunt Alma in Pennsylvania...
About the Author
With Instaread Summaries, you can get the summary of a book in 30 minutes or less. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
- Introduction to the important people in the book
- Summary and analysis of all the chapters in the book
- Key Takeaways of the book
- A Reader's Perspective
Preview of this summary: Chapter OneIt was a gray October morning in Seattle during the fourth year of the Great Depression. One in every four Americans had no job and millions were homeless. At the University of Washington, freshmen Roger Morris and Joe Rantz registered for the rowing team at the shell house. Only nine of the 175 applicants would be chosen. Joe, who came from a modest home, wanted to be a chemical engineer and to marry his girlfriend. Most of all, he wanted to be on the rowing team.
One of the men running the rowing tests was Tom Bolles, the freshman coach. He was in charge of teaching the basics of the sport of rowing. The other tester was Alvin Ulbrickson, head coach of the University of Washington's rowing program.
In Germany, Adolf Hitler supervised renovations at the Olympic Stadium. He was initially weary of the idea of Berlin hosting the 1936 Olympics, but Joseph Goebbels, the minister of propaganda, changed his mind. Goebbels job was to control the press in Germany to ensure that it always exalted the Nazi party. He believed hosting the Olympic Games would be an opportunity to not only promote the party within his own country, but throughout the world. He wanted the world to believe Germany was a powerful, civilized and friendly nation.
Chapter TwoJoe and his brother, Fred, grew up in Spokane, Washington, where their father, Harry, owned an automobile manufacturing and repair shop. When Joe was four, his mother died of throat cancer. His father, overcome with grief, fled to Canada. Fred went to college. Joe was sent to live with his aunt Alma in Pennsylvania...
About the Author
With Instaread Summaries, you can get the summary of a book in 30 minutes or less. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
- GenresNonfiction
54 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2014
32 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Instaread Summaries
923 books293 followersWith Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 10, 2015
This book deserves the accolades it has received. Although I never watched a rowing race or had much curiosity about them, I found the descriptions of the races in this book riveting. It is so much more than a rowing book, though. It also more than touches on the history of Nazi Germany as told through the Olympics they hosted, and is a great story about a Washington kid from a rough-and-tumble background and a dysfunctional family who nonetheless becomes a star rower on the Husky crew, graduates from college and later has an impressive career. Any of these stories would have been worthy of a good book, but the three stories combined, made a great story.
July 23, 2014
To me this was the perfect non-fiction book. It was a about a topic and timeframe that I knew very little about, the lead-in the 1936 Olympic games in Germany. It was extremely well written. Dan Brown captures life in depression era Washington state in an accessible way. I loved learning about these people and admired their grit and determination. I really loved this book and did not expect to.
January 20, 2015
Boys in the Boat is a good story told well. This is the best book I have read in several years, and the content is true. The author even posted his notes and sources on a website. This is one of the few books I have read that I would like to see made in to a movie.
September 3, 2014
Way too much detail.
June 8, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
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Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/hunter-legen...
https://numberoneboats.com/hunter-leg...
https://theboatyacht.com/hunter-e36-f...
https://numberoneboats.com/hunter-e36...
October 13, 2014
Daniel James Brown did a good job writing this book. Before I started it I was wondering if I would be able to finish a book about rowing but he brought the characters alive. You felt their pain and achievements. His descriptions of the rowing races were exciting. I could picture what was happening probably better than if I had been there. His descriptions put everything in slow motion.
This picked as a staff book club read by a rower herself.
This picked as a staff book club read by a rower herself.
June 2, 2015
Exceptional book! In a beautiful interweaving of material from diaries, newspaper articles, biographies, obituaries, and book sources on rowing, the Olympics, the men, this book by Daniel Brown captures the pain and thrill of participating and winning in the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. It captures what is the true American spirit and what comes of true collaboration. It is an inspiring, exhilarating read!
June 2, 2014
Wonderful book of perseverance, courage, learning to trust and go beyond yourself. A look at the rough times during the 30's along with the story of the nine boys (young men) who made up the 1936 "crew" that won gold at the Olympics that were held in Germany. Also, a little bit of information about how Germany "fooled" the world.
I would highly recommend this book.
I would highly recommend this book.
August 20, 2014
Like a good race it certainly builds towards the end, and although early on in the book the author takes you pretty deep into the biographies of each of the rowers, it's not unrewarding, since his research and writing is pretty pleasant. I've always been fascinated with rowing, so this was an especially fun summer read.
September 15, 2014
I loved reading this book for the wonderful story of the 9 boys in the boat but also of the history of America in the 1920's & 30's. The recession, the dust bowl, etc. Before reading this book and little to no knowledge of the sport of rowing and now would love to watch a race in Washington State. It's on my bucket list.
October 28, 2014
I enjoyed this story very much. The writing was wonderful and the story was fascinating. I enjoyed the descriptions of boats, scenery and also the people. I learned quite a bit about rowing and loved how the boys became so connected to each other to accomplish so much. It was impressive that they continued those relationships throughout their lives.
December 15, 2014
If you are interested in crewing at all this IS the book for YOU! I had no idea what a rigorous sport it is! WOW! Set in the late 1920s and 30s, it tells the story of a coaches quest to find and train 9 rowers for the 1936 Berlin Olympics amid all of the trials and tribulations of that time period. Recommended by one of my book club readers - GOOD rec, Sarah!!!!
June 21, 2016
Read the Novel
I purchased this summary because I read the novel for a book club read. I'd read the novel weeks before the meeting and wanted to refresh my knowledge of the characters and themes.
This summary certainly helped, but I do not think you can really appreciate the 5-star quality of the novel by reading just the summary.
I purchased this summary because I read the novel for a book club read. I'd read the novel weeks before the meeting and wanted to refresh my knowledge of the characters and themes.
This summary certainly helped, but I do not think you can really appreciate the 5-star quality of the novel by reading just the summary.
June 13, 2014
Amazing detail and this author takes you to Seattle, 1933, Great Depression, Nazi Germany. Highly, highly recommended.
April 12, 2016
I loved this book! The writing was beautiful and inspiring. It left me in tears even though I already knew what the result would be! What an uplifting read.
November 24, 2014
Loved the book and look forward to a movie.
April 8, 2015
Loved this book! It did not feel like I was reading non fiction. Beautifully written
February 5, 2015
Really liked The Boys in the Boat. Felt the tugs on Joe Rant's life; liked the juxtaposition of history and the crew cultures, east and west coast.
March 5, 2015
Very inspiring story
March 6, 2015
WOW - very exciting to read about the races; the history of Joe Rantz and his family, the coaches, other crew members, the time period. Loved it.
March 19, 2015
Outstanding! It has it all-warmth, tension and drama. The people were admirable, and yet so human. I was sorry when it ended.
March 30, 2015
Amazing read, hard to put down. I learned a lot about crew. Worth reading.
April 24, 2015
Very inspiring. Learned more about crew than I thought I would ever understand.
May 16, 2015
Wrong book
June 30, 2015
The author did a great job getting you interested in rowing and the characters.
December 7, 2017
Inspiring. Somewhat neglected chapter of 1936 Olympics very well told.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews