Synopsis

The Boys in the Boat, written by Daniel James Brown, is the remarkably true story of nine young men, and their unwavering, untested dedication in their quest for gold in Berlin at the Olympic Games. These boys, both tough and cunning, work for more than a medal and a story, but also to cement Washington as one of the best rowing teams in the world. The boys would need almost superhuman stamina, indomitable willpower, and the intelligence required to master the technique. Only then would they have even the slightest chance of becoming the best. And they would have to do it together, as a team, for even a second of difference between two of their strokes, could prevent them from winning gold. The majority of the book follows Joe Rantz, a young man born in Spokane Washington. Joe’s Step mother, a woman named Thula, who grew to despise him, would eventually convince Joe's father to abandon him. Over the next eight years Joe would fend for himself, becoming reserved, quiet and independent. Something that would plague his career in rowing, as in the sliding seat of a sturdy racing shell, teamwork, is everything. Joe was built to be an oarsman, he reached a bit over 6 foot 3, and was built up from years of chopping logs, caring dishes, and working any other job he could find. Joe and the other boys from his freshman boat, would go on to race Washington's longtime rivals the University of California Berkeley, beating them by over 4 and a half lengths and setting a new freshman course record. But it was only after almost beating the varsity team, that their coach Al Ulbrickson would become hopeful, that he could fulfill his promise to Washington, to bring home the gold at the Olympic Games.