Life was tough during the 1930s Depression, especially for Joe Rantz, abandoned by his family as a teen. But he was a boy determined to make something of himself. Joe and his University of Washington rowing teammates, mostly sons of loggers, shipyard workers and farmers, showed the world what dedication, hard work, and teamwork can do.
The Boys in the Boat is based on the true story of the University of Washington rowing team in the 1930s, culminating in 1936 at the World Olympics in Berlin. Along the way, we meet British-born Joe Pocock, the boat designer with a magic touch. Pocock is quoted as saying, “Just as a skilled rider is said to become part of his horse, the skilled oarsman must become part of the boat.” Coaches like Al Ubrickson inspire the boys along the way, but it is really the teammates themselves who endure the physical and psychological demands of rowing, and show the world what sheer determination can do.
Throughout the book, we learn what’s involved in shaping up an eight-oar rowing team, what it means to become one under the guidance of the coxswain. In later years, I grew up in Seattle and occasionally saw teams practice on Lake Union, gliding along in those long wooden boats, but I didn’t imagine the grueling effort it took. I wish I’d known then what I know now after reading this book.
Author Daniel James Brown brings readers into the lives of these dedicated rowers. As the team travels around the country in national competition, we learn about “harmony, balance and rhythm” of the sport. Finally, in Berlin, under the haughty eye of Adolf Hitler and under unbelievable pressure, we feel the heartbeat of a fiercely dedicated team.
The Boys in the Boat is an extraordinary, satisfying read. Brown’s research is impeccable. He sets the stage locally, in Seattle’s Depression years, nationally as the team competes, and internationally in the sinister atmosphere of Europe pre World War II.
To learn more about the author and his work, visit http://www.danieljamesbrown.com/