Summary of The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat is a nonfiction book by Daniel James Brown that tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar rowing crew and their quest to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It is a story of courage and perseverance against overwhelming odds. Set during the Great Depression and the tumultuous buildup to World War II, the story follows the fortunes of nine working-class boys from the American West who, against all odds, become an Olympic-caliber rowing team. Through determination and hard work, the boys battle the elements and the elite teams of Europe in the most important race of their lives. The Boys in the Boat is a moving story of friendship and sacrifice, of victory and defeat, and of the power of the human spirit.