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What Members Thought
I read this book because my father kept telling me that I would enjoy it. Truthfully, l finally picked up so he would stop nagging me about it even though it is about sports and history- my two favorite things.
Boys in the Boat is the motivational story of Joe Rantz, his wife Joyce, and the other members of the 1936 Washington University rowing team that won gold at the Berlin Olympics. This story is partially the story of Joe's perseverance during the depression and also his rowing team's quest ...more
Boys in the Boat is the motivational story of Joe Rantz, his wife Joyce, and the other members of the 1936 Washington University rowing team that won gold at the Berlin Olympics. This story is partially the story of Joe's perseverance during the depression and also his rowing team's quest ...more
Book on CD narrated by Edward Herrmann
At the 1936 Olympics nine working-class boys from the University of Washington in Seattle took the gold medal in eight-man crew at the Berlin Olympics. This is their story, but particularly the story of the man in the #7 seat – Joe Rantz.
In the tradition of Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit and Unbroken this is a story of strength, courage, tenacity and triumph in the face of great obstacles. In a sport that traditionally attracted the scions of wealthy famil ...more
At the 1936 Olympics nine working-class boys from the University of Washington in Seattle took the gold medal in eight-man crew at the Berlin Olympics. This is their story, but particularly the story of the man in the #7 seat – Joe Rantz.
In the tradition of Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit and Unbroken this is a story of strength, courage, tenacity and triumph in the face of great obstacles. In a sport that traditionally attracted the scions of wealthy famil ...more
Aug 15, 2019
Maureen
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
favorites
This is the heartwarming story of the men’s rowing team who won the 1936 Olympics. It is mainly told through the voice of Joe Rantz. He is a young man who had to endure lifelong challenges just to stay alive. This book portrays dedication and endurance on all the young who were part of this team.
Joe in particular has a difficult time. His mother dies when Joe is very young, he father doesn’t know how to care for him. His father marries and his wife doesn’t want Joe in the home. They leave Joe a ...more
Joe in particular has a difficult time. His mother dies when Joe is very young, he father doesn’t know how to care for him. His father marries and his wife doesn’t want Joe in the home. They leave Joe a ...more
Dec 20, 2015
Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history-non-fiction,
mt-laurel-bookclub
A compelling story of the 1936 US Olympic Rowing Team. I greatly enjoyed learning about the boys' personal lives, the history of rowing including the woodwork of the vessels, and the Nazi preparation of the Olympics, which would serve as a propaganda tool. Leni Riefenstahl's documentary of the Olympics is an amazing piece to watch, so many fascinating camera techniques, I highly recommend watching it after reading the book.
...more
Jan 31, 2020
Joanne
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
pbt-2020-poll-ballot,
non-fiction-history-read
This is one of the best non-fiction books I have read in a long time. Funny how a book can surprise you that way. It had been sitting on my real world shelf for the-longest time. I guess I just needed a reason to pick it up and read it. I am so happy that it happened.
This is not just a story of the 1936 Olympic Rowing Team. It is a story of courage and strength, of friendships and bonding. It is not just the story of the 8 rowers and coxswain. It is the story of the coach, and the man who built ...more
This is not just a story of the 1936 Olympic Rowing Team. It is a story of courage and strength, of friendships and bonding. It is not just the story of the 8 rowers and coxswain. It is the story of the coach, and the man who built ...more
I loved it. It was a solid 4 stars throughout but the ending just kicked it up to 5. The ending came together so nicely with lots of nail biting and excitement and then the wrap up which just tore my heart at times and made me happy at other times. I feel like I've come to know these 9 boys in a boat.
I am so happy to have read this book. I feel like I learned so much about a part of our history that I knew nothing about (rowing and racing), Olympic excitement that I never really experience (bec ...more
I am so happy to have read this book. I feel like I learned so much about a part of our history that I knew nothing about (rowing and racing), Olympic excitement that I never really experience (bec ...more
This was a very very good book. I learned about rowing, which I wish was something I could have done when I was younger. I learned about a lot of weather disasters that happened during the Great Depression, that had great affect on an already hard time. It really baffled me how many house fires there were, but I guess that was a common thing back then. I was really connected to Joe, since so much of the book was focused around his life story and how difficult things had ben for him. The book mad
...more
Aug 09, 2016
Kelly
marked it as to-read
Jun 10, 2016
Belle Blackburn
marked it as to-read
Jan 27, 2022
Amber K
marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2025
Tori
marked it as history-modern
