The Boys in the Boat

Outline

The Boys in the Boat (2013) tells the true story of nine young men from the University of Washington, most from poor working families, who formed a rowing team during the Great Depression. Against all odds, they won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Daniel James Brown focuses on rower Joe Rantz and shows how trust, teamwork, and perseverance turned ordinary young men into champions.

• The book tells the true story of nine University of Washington students who formed a rowing team during the Great Depression.
• Most of the rowers came from poor working families, so their rise to the top was far from expected.
• Their crew won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics against all odds.
• Daniel James Brown follows rower Joe Rantz closely to show the human story behind the team's success.
• Trust, teamwork and perseverance turned ordinary young men into champions.

Daniel James Brown is an American author of narrative nonfiction who writes about real people facing extraordinary challenges. He taught writing at several universities before becoming a full-time author. His books include The Boys in the Boat, which became a major bestseller and a feature film, and Facing the Mountain.