The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is a true story of nine young men from the University of Washington who rose from obscurity to capture gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the book follows Joe Rantz and his crewmates as they overcome adversity, poverty, and self-doubt through sheer grit and an unwavering sense of unity.
Brown brings their story vividly to life, depicting not just a race but a triumph of teamwork and spirit. Through meticulous detail and emotional depth, he explores how the crew’s strength came from trust, rhythm, and a shared determination to succeed together. Both a stirring sports narrative and a meditation on perseverance, The Boys in the Boat shows how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary success when they learn to move as one.
"[It’s really] about building a team and what it takes to build a team, and that some people who don’t start out great become great because people help them and bring them along. I don’t think it portrays itself as a leadership book, [but] I like the real-world examples of things that have happened in those."