Boys In the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Viking publishers. Hardback 221 pages. $20.99.
Daniel James Brown is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Boys in the Boat. He has two previous nonfiction books, The Indifferent Stars Above, and Under a Flaming Sky. They were both finalists for the Washington State Book Award. He has taught writing at San Jose State University and Stanford University.
This true and inspiring book comes out of the depths of the Great Depression. Nine working class boys from the west who went to the 1936 Olympics Against all odds the University of Washington defeated the elite East coast teams, winning the Gold in Germany. The center of this story revolves around Joe Rantz, a teenager without a family. When just a boy, age 10, his step- mother kicked him out of the house. The house was small, and she had too many mouths to feed. Though Joe’s dad cared for him, he went along with his wife. Joe, young and all alone, had to make a way for himself in the world. His main objective at this point was finding enough food to eat.
The ups and downs of Joe’s life may resemble those children in our childcare agencies. Especially those who did not grow up with a family. The grit and determination of Joe and the other young men is a story of hope. The book also has many wonderful photos depicting Joe, the row team, and their journey. After the epilogue, is a timeline of events from 1914 to 1936. The book has also been made into a major motion picture.
Reading Boys in the Boat is inspiring and show the persistence and determination of the human spirit.