melissaa123's review against another edition
3.0
This one was okay, I’m probably being a little tough on it due to my own expectations. I listened to The Boys on the Boat on Audible, and the narrator sounded too… documentary-like? The story is incredible, but I found it a little too formal and informative. I would’ve preferred a little more storytelling personally!
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
This was a surprising one for me. I don't particularly care about sports or the Olympics- I picked this book for our discussion group figuring it would be tossing a bone to a few in the group who usually hate the books I pick. And for the first 200 pages, it was hard going; endless paragraphs about the weather or the act of puling an oar and so on. But when the boys are on their way to Europe, and the discussion of the Olympics themselves- that is when it actually starts getting interesting.
Moreover, I realized reading this that the reason I love dance movies- (you know, that one big dance number at the end that shows the world what the main character is truly capable of, and the sheer athleticism of movement!)- is the same reason some people love sports movies/stories like this one. Overcoming the odds, defying expectations! It would be hard to read the last half of this book and not be rooting for this team- these poor sons of lumberjacks, dairy farmers and the like, showing up in mismatched outfits to defeat Nazi Germany's polished team.
It would also be really difficult to read this book during this current time of anxiety and uncertainty and not see alot of parallels. "Whether you were a banker or a baker, a homemaker or homeless, it was with you night and day- a terrible, unrelenting uncertainty about the future, a feeling that the ground could drop out from under you for good at any moment." p 9 There was a lot to discuss with the group, and while we're smaller these days, the 5 who logged in really enjoyed it. Three others told me they had a hard time getting into it, which I totally understand. For a group with time on their hands and who don't mind biting into something nonfiction, this wasn't a bad pick.
Moreover, I realized reading this that the reason I love dance movies- (you know, that one big dance number at the end that shows the world what the main character is truly capable of, and the sheer athleticism of movement!)- is the same reason some people love sports movies/stories like this one. Overcoming the odds, defying expectations! It would be hard to read the last half of this book and not be rooting for this team- these poor sons of lumberjacks, dairy farmers and the like, showing up in mismatched outfits to defeat Nazi Germany's polished team.
It would also be really difficult to read this book during this current time of anxiety and uncertainty and not see alot of parallels. "Whether you were a banker or a baker, a homemaker or homeless, it was with you night and day- a terrible, unrelenting uncertainty about the future, a feeling that the ground could drop out from under you for good at any moment." p 9 There was a lot to discuss with the group, and while we're smaller these days, the 5 who logged in really enjoyed it. Three others told me they had a hard time getting into it, which I totally understand. For a group with time on their hands and who don't mind biting into something nonfiction, this wasn't a bad pick.
bontrager2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.25
audreysova's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a big fan of nonfiction that reads like fiction! Such an interesting story about a quest for Olympic success in the buildup to WWII. I was fascinated not just by the knowledge of the background of the boys (especially Joe), but also by the way you could really feel the energy building up in the race.
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book is so full of description, back tracking and background that it can occasionally be tedious to read. But when the author brought in the first references to concurrent German events and propaganda, my interest was caught.
By the end of the book, I was very interested in the outcome of the race; I cared about the boys, I cared about the boat - and I wept with joy with them as they received their gold medals while the German orchestra played the Star-Spangled Banner.
Long and wordy, yes, but worth it.
By the end of the book, I was very interested in the outcome of the race; I cared about the boys, I cared about the boat - and I wept with joy with them as they received their gold medals while the German orchestra played the Star-Spangled Banner.
Long and wordy, yes, but worth it.
molli526's review against another edition
4.0
Easily 4.5.
Great writing, great story. I may change to a 5.
Great writing, great story. I may change to a 5.
jamie_o's review against another edition
5.0
I had no desire to read a book about rowing, but I kept seeing glowing reviews of the book, and I do love history. For an author to make me thoroughly love a book centered around rowing, that there is talent. Daniel James Brown is a master wordsmith and an exceptional storyteller. Throughout the book he incorporates events of the Great Depression and Nazi Germany, painting a vivid picture of the 1930's. Even the rowing terminology and descriptions of how George Pocock made the shells (and the properties of the wood he used) were captivating.
Though the book chronicles the Washington crew team that made it to the 1936 Olympics and their coaches, it follows the life of rower Joe Rantz most closely. It was easy to root for Joe, who had a tough childhood, dealing with abandonment and poverty. He was humble, musical, hard working, resourceful, sensitive, forgiving, and had an iron will. The other boys in boat were also well-described, and many came from humble beginnings just like Joe, which made their success all the sweeter.
Interestingly, rowing/crew was wildly popular in 1930's, drawing massive crowds to the regattas. It was described as the second most popular event in the Olympics. Though I'll likely never be a rowing fan, I have a new appreciation for the beauty and drudgery of the sport.
An unnamed coach is reputed to have said, bluntly, "Rowing is like a beautiful duck. On the surface it is all grace, but underneath the bastard's paddling like mad!"
"In a daze, believing they were finally bearing down on the line, the boys threw their long bodies into each stroke, rowing furiously, flawlessly, and with uncanny elegance. Their oars were bending like bows, the blades entering and leaving the water cleanly, smoothly, efficiently, the shell's whale-oil-slick hull ghosting forward between pulls, its sharp cedar prow slicing through dark water, boat and men forged together, bounding fiercely forward like a living thing."
"The illusion surrounding the Olympic Games was complete, the deception masterful. Joseph Goebbels had artfully accomplished what all good propagandists must, convincing the world that their version of reality was reasonable and their opponents' version biased."
Though the book chronicles the Washington crew team that made it to the 1936 Olympics and their coaches, it follows the life of rower Joe Rantz most closely. It was easy to root for Joe, who had a tough childhood, dealing with abandonment and poverty. He was humble, musical, hard working, resourceful, sensitive, forgiving, and had an iron will. The other boys in boat were also well-described, and many came from humble beginnings just like Joe, which made their success all the sweeter.
Interestingly, rowing/crew was wildly popular in 1930's, drawing massive crowds to the regattas. It was described as the second most popular event in the Olympics. Though I'll likely never be a rowing fan, I have a new appreciation for the beauty and drudgery of the sport.
An unnamed coach is reputed to have said, bluntly, "Rowing is like a beautiful duck. On the surface it is all grace, but underneath the bastard's paddling like mad!"
"In a daze, believing they were finally bearing down on the line, the boys threw their long bodies into each stroke, rowing furiously, flawlessly, and with uncanny elegance. Their oars were bending like bows, the blades entering and leaving the water cleanly, smoothly, efficiently, the shell's whale-oil-slick hull ghosting forward between pulls, its sharp cedar prow slicing through dark water, boat and men forged together, bounding fiercely forward like a living thing."
"The illusion surrounding the Olympic Games was complete, the deception masterful. Joseph Goebbels had artfully accomplished what all good propagandists must, convincing the world that their version of reality was reasonable and their opponents' version biased."
travelgirl77's review against another edition
4.0
My early morning commute takes me over Lake Union where come rain, shine, warm, cold, fog, or snow, rowers abound. There has always been something therapeutic about watching them glide over the water in the early dawn. The bustling city of Seattle surrounds them, but you can just tell how it all fades away as they row. This book captures that complete surrender to the sport. I really knew nothing about rowing before I read this, but since moving to the Seattle area, it is so prevalent and this book was highly touted in every bookstore. It did not disappoint! It was engaging and the personal stories were nothing short of remarkable. That fighting spirit and underdog sentimentality truly made for an enjoyable read. I felt like I knew these "boys" and wanted them to be successful in their dreams. A great read and wonderful, artistic storytelling!