I am 38 and live in Oregon. I only learned tonight that my grandfather was part of this rowing crew. I can’t believe I have only been made aware of this fact tonight at about 7:30pm. How unbelievable. :)
Agreed. Shorty Hunt was my Great Uncle. Unfortunately the Hunts of Cincinnati never got the opportunity to meet Grandpa’s family in Puyallup, including Shorty. When we learned of this feat we couldn’t have been more proud.
Terrific news about your grandfather! The PBS documentary about “the Boys” is just the best: it shows just how tough life was for each of those kids struggling just to survive during the Depression. Rowing was their way to know they’d have food every day. I finally a streaming copy and watch it at least once a year. Hope you can view it.
I’m pasting my personal story here that I wrote on another page about these men and one I was blessed to meet in person: In 2002, I was the maid of honor at my friends wedding on the island of Kauai. We stayed at Waialua Bayview on the third floor. On the first floor was a nice man from Washington State who stayed there during the winter, called “Big Jim”. My husband and myself were invited into his condo along with my friend and her new husband. He told us this story in a very humble and matter-of-fact way. Being that I am someone to ask more questions I asked him where he kept his gold medal. So he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little velveteen bag….. and produced the gold medal for the four of us to marvel at. I knew I was witnessing greatness. We were all allowed to hold the metal. I have photographs of us all that I wish I could post here. I was quite overwhelmed and tearful of being allowed to not only meet this man and hear his amazing story but to also realize that for all these years he carried his gold metal in his front pocket. I came from a generation of watching gymnasts like MaryLou design their own rooms for their gold medals and place them under glass. I am still to this day amazed that I was able to meet a man who was and is so incredibly amazing and who allowed us a gift that we cannot really fully explain the levity to in words to anyone else. It was a “you had to be there” kind of day. At the time in 2002 there was no book about his life but I came home thinking that there should be and I am so glad someone did write one. It was an absolutely amazing story to hear firsthand in March 2002. And I don’t know what made me think of Big Jim today but I am so glad to be able to find this video linked to an article about him and his team while Hitler was watching. Thank you Jim McMillin for that day. USA ♥️
I just finished the audio book read by the late Edward Hermann. What a fabulous book and fabulous narration. I cried so many times. I lived in Anacortes, WA and was so proud of how the book explains the mentality and personality of the Pacific NW. Good people through and through.
Wonderful. I never knew this story. I rowed in high school and loved it. Life evolved and I didn’t row any more and then discovered sea kayaking in my 40s. I’m still at it and I’m 71 now and I hope to be able to do it for a few more years.
Met Don Hume at Henley late 90's. A gentleman. I knew about the 36 Olympics. But Mr. Hume did not mention it. Humble. Sport coat, tie, slacks. Biggest hands I've ever seen. I'm from Seattle. I've rowed from the boat. house
It is definitely one of the best books I have ever read, too----teamwork/working together has been my mantra no matter what group I was with or project we were doing. Thank you, Daniel Brown for narrating this incredible story AND for the lessons we have all gleaned from the book.
Without a doubt, this book I’ve ever read. I then listen to the audiobook, and it was a masterpiece. I was mesmerized from the beginning to the last sentence in the epilogue.
Having rowed crew on the Hudson River daily, for Marist College in the 1960s, I realize the marvelous significance of the huge painted W On the cliff overlooking our ROWING every day. Thanks Dan Brown. I read Boys in the Boat 3X . Loved it!
I am almost done with the book now. I have enjoyed it immensely. I will no longer complain about my minuscule childhood challenges. These amazing young men overcame so many obstacles to achieve their goal. I am in awe of them.
I borrowed this book from a friend when it came out and I’m never going to return it. I have been rereading it ever since, it has become like a bible to me, I read different parts whenever I’m looking for inspiration. What an incredible story impeccably written! A truly inspiring story.
Many people of this time are beyond inspirational. The way they SURVIVED. The gumption. I don't know what words to use. These people they just, they just move on, they don't complain. They were hungry, had very little in shelter, clothing, etc. They just carry on; what else can you do, right? It makes me feel so inadequate and spoiled. I am grateful and I know people shouldn't have to suffer that way. But it truly is inspiring. They were grateful, humble, willing to work. The way we are today is just gross.🥺
Just finished the book. Loved it. I saw the PBS documentary first a little while back. Even though I thought I remembered that they won the gold in 1936, my heart still pounded when I read the description of the race in the book.
This is a phenomenal book about an incredible group of young men during the bleak early years of the great depression. I didn't know a thing about crew, boat races or racing shells. It doesn't matter. I couldn't put it down and have since read it twice and listened to the unabridged book read by the late actor Edward Hermann. I love the Olympic games in any era and grew up hearing my grandparents talk about growing up during the depression so I thought well I'll give it a try. To say I loved it is a massive understatement. Read it and you will be better off for it and glad that you did.
One of the most jaw-dropping stories was the night the Washington rowers decided to visit FDR's house, Hyde Park, on the Hudson River. This was before the Secret Service's Presidential Protection Detail.
Just saw that Boys In The Boat is coming out as a Major Motion Picture, directed by George Clooney this Christmas. Thank you John for your wonderful video. You may remember me as an anesthesiologist at the simulation crisis center long ago.
I finished this book earlier this week, loved it and all I could think was it would make a great mini-series. Just read that George Clooney will be directing a movie version and while I think that's really nice, I can't help but think of all the wonderful details in the book that will be lost in a 2 hour movie.
I SO enjoyed the movie but realized George Clooney would have to pick and choose which angles/storylines he wanted to include, as he couldn't include all the details the book provided -- grateful for both the book and the movie ---and the documentaries that are also available.
John, Thank you for your wonderful documentary on this story. I was a Husky crewman for one year as a freshman at UW and very much enjoyed your discussion. You should continue making documentaries on this Channel
I knew a little about it, but the book was so much more! My grandfather’s life was similar, but without the education. When his mom died in Idaho, he and his sister were dumped in an orphanage. Grandpa ran away. The new stepmom wanted nothing to do with him. Grandpa became a logger. I live near Sequim now. Abandoning children was so common then.
Thanks, John. I loved BOYS IN THE BOAT by Dan Brown. As a former oarsman for Marist College and the NYAC, I attended the 1972 Olympics where the New Zealand 🇳🇿 kiwis won 🏆 the eights. Looking forward to the movie, too.
The PBS documentary was great! Gave me chills watching the rowing footage after growing up watching UW football and crew. These guys were my moms contemporaries... wish she was still around to ask about the boys in the boat
A tremendously inspirational and poignantly moving true story. I read it twice , privileged to be able to immerse myself in this absolutely amazing story.
Thanks for posting this video... Just finished listening to audio book and appreciated seeing images to go with the story. What these boys did just to get to college and stay there was remarkable, let along their outstanding success at rowing....
Yes. There was a huge purple and white W on the Hudson River cliff across from Marist college. What was the University of Washington doing in Poughkeepsie, NY? We now know, thanks to Dan Brown and Boys in the Boat .
Lovely tribute. I was Yale '78, from Northern California like Stephen and his sister Jennie ('80 and '78 respectively). I remember Stephen Kiesling wrote a really wonderful book about rowing as a Scholar of the House his senior year, entitled The Shell Game. He made the 1980 Olympic team but, in a decision I think was his worst as President, Jimmy Carter decided to boycott the Moscow Olympics. Although in light of events this year, maybe it was the most morally courageous decision of his life. I'm open to a spirited conversation about that! I have given a couple of copies of Stephen's book to my friends' children who rowed in college. Stephen's sister Jennie was one of a group of female rowers who stripped naked, wrote "Title IX" on their bodies and protested in the office of their coach, I believe it was, in 1976 - about the unfair treatment of female athletes at Yale. Athletes who were doing much better than the men were, but they had to sit in the freezing bus for 30 minutes while the men's team got to take hot showers in the boathouse. They inspired a generation of female athletes with that courageous act. When I tried rowing, my body is so asymmetric I go in huge circles on San Francisco Bay, but I love reading about the sport. David Halberstam's The Amateurs was another great book. But I have to say, the most thrilling book I ever read about rowing was The Boys in the Boat. I think it's up there in the pantheon of books, along with the story of the Endurance, and the biography of Tom Crean, the unsung hero of both Scott and Shackleton's harrowing trips to Antarctica.
John, thank you for narrating this wonderful story and delivering the most eloquent acquiescence for the acknowledgement of the divine at the end. Bravo!!!
Just finished the book and went looking for what ever was available on line for more. Found this video and am grateful for the extra material you gave and your comments given through the perspective of a rower and Olympian. Thank you
Thank you for this information, John. I just saw The Boys of '36 for the first time this week. This team of guys had so many obstacles that they had to overcome to get to the Olympics in Berlin. This is an amazing story, and I consider these guys true American heroes. Just ordered the dvd and D.J. Brown's book.
Great job pulling the background info together and presenting the additional detail. A superb story on many levels and happy to see that it's being produced as a movie.
I adored the book. I am dyslexic. So I listened to the Audible version. Our twins were born a few months premature and had to spend six weeks in the NICU. The book helped me pull through it (so to speak). Day and night after night, as my wife and I held our lightweight pair, we listened entranced to "Boys." The book was so good that it helped us ignore the tubes, wires, and NICU din. A few weeks ago, I listened to it again. It still made me feel the hair on the back of my neck dance and tingle. And I still worried that they might not overcome the slow start at the penultimate IRA and the Olympic final. I can only hope our pair overcome their slow start, too. Thank you for the great video, John.
I received this book as a Christmas gift from a friend-customer of mine. (each year she got me a book). At first I wondered how it would be possible to hold my attention with the telling of winning at Berlin by an American Crew Team????......well, ...it never let me down and I rate it as one of the BEST books I have ever read....And If you read it yourself, I bet you say the same.
The UW ’36 story got me thinking about Britain’s ARA in 1889 banning all manual workers from its competitions w/ its infamous ‘mechanics rule.’ This separation of the classes lasted till at least 1937 when the ARA finally abolished it’s definition of ‘amateur,’ & so removed much of the ‘mechanics’ ban. Perhaps it was UW’s working class victory in 1936, against all odds, that got the ARA toffs of Angleland to step back from their fifty year class segregation decree.
Yeah what’s interesting about places like seattle back then - is pretty much everyone was working class. There still isn’t really the “old money” or “society “ you see elsewhere.
Great clip, I read the book a few years ago. Particularly interested in the other (USA) Olympians of 1936. The video mentioned other athletes which "they had met" while in Germany. They missed a very important individual...from Pasadena, California...none other than Mathew MacKenzie "Mac" Robinson (Silver; 200 Meters) behind James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens. Both runners broke the Olympic record. Need I explain whom Mr. Robinson's younger brother was? #42
Yes I stay in contact with my cousin Judy Willman she is Joe Rantz daughter. Occasionally I get to go to events with her when she and her husband Ray come to the peninsula to Port Angeles mostly and I've been to several events with Daniel James Brown and my cousin and have had the seat right next to Daniel James Brown at dinners and events. Daniel James Brown is my cousin Judy Willman's neighbor. Daniel James Brown also has a house in Port Townsend.
You did an excellent job on the video. I would like to e-mail you a photo of Daniel James Brown, my cousin Judy Willman and me at a book signing if you are interested. My e-mail is ricksindars@msn.com
I read the book which was fabulous. We saw the movie this past weekend which was BEYOND FABULOUS !!!! What a great story and film. George Clooney did a great job. Highly recommend both.
In the midst of reading the book with the rest of my book group, and terrific finding this video, especially when, at 2:55, John Biglow begons talking about each of the boys in the boat. Enjoy the video, and read Brown's book, "The Boys in the Boat". The shell builder George Pocock is a major figure in the book and there are other videos focusing on him.
My grandfather, Leslie Hollenbeck, was a senior and varsity row in ‘36. He committed suicide in 1967, so I wasn’t able to meet him. The family doesn’t know why he didn’t make the Olympic squad.
Enjoyed the video, thank you. I wonder if Cox Moch was questioned about his Jewish heritage in Berlin? Or, how many rowers/athletes were questioned prior to competition.
this is from Joe Rantz's daughter, Judy: Interesting questions. For what it’s worth, I would suspect that Bob made every effort to not say anything to anyone about his heritage. As far as any sort of questioning if the rest of the guys, there wasn’t any remarks about that in any of their diaries, so I suspect there was nothing like that.
Thank you Judy. I was wondering about external pressures because of the way that Marty Glickman & Sam Stoller, both Jewish, were benched the day before the 4x100 meter relay. The pair disagree as to the source of that decision, Glickman citing anti-Semitism, collaboration, but Stoller not. Thank you very much for all your work with Dan Brown to bring this heroic crew’s story into the present. Some stories are too good for the attic, they’re bound for books, big screens & blades.
It is possible that you and I met. I worked at the 1984 Olympics helping the athletes who resided in the dorms at UCSB. Sadly, my strongest memory is just how roided out the Eastern Block athletes were, the females especially. This was during the Cold War and the Soviets abused steroids a lot before the tests got better.
Harry Rantz and the pitiful excuse for a human being, Thula, should have been jailed for their treatment of Joe Rantz. I think Joe may be one of the greatest men I have ever read about. RIP hero. Thula got her karma, though.
I am 38 and live in Oregon. I only learned tonight that my grandfather was part of this rowing crew. I can’t believe I have only been made aware of this fact tonight at about 7:30pm. How unbelievable. :)
Which one is your grandfather? How fun!
Agreed. Shorty Hunt was my Great Uncle. Unfortunately the Hunts of Cincinnati never got the opportunity to meet Grandpa’s family in Puyallup, including Shorty. When we learned of this feat we couldn’t have been more proud.
Incredible.
Which one is your grandfather?
Terrific news about your grandfather!
The PBS documentary about “the Boys” is just the best: it shows just how tough life was for each of those kids struggling just to survive during the Depression. Rowing was their way to know they’d have food every day. I finally a streaming copy and watch it at least once a year. Hope you can view it.
Rated by me as one of the greatest story I have ever read. I encourage every young person to read this book.
AGREE....one of my all time favorites!
I’m pasting my personal story here that I wrote on another page about these men and one I was blessed to meet in person:
In 2002, I was the maid of honor at my friends wedding on the island of Kauai. We stayed at Waialua Bayview on the third floor. On the first floor was a nice man from Washington State who stayed there during the winter, called “Big Jim”. My husband and myself were invited into his condo along with my friend and her new husband. He told us this story in a very humble and matter-of-fact way. Being that I am someone to ask more questions I asked him where he kept his gold medal. So he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little velveteen bag….. and produced the gold medal for the four of us to marvel at.
I knew I was witnessing greatness. We were all allowed to hold the metal.
I have photographs of us all that I wish I could post here.
I was quite overwhelmed and tearful of being allowed to not only meet this man and hear his amazing story but to also realize that for all these years he carried his gold metal in his front pocket. I came from a generation of watching gymnasts like MaryLou design their own rooms for their gold medals and place them under glass. I am still to this day amazed that I was able to meet a man who was and is so incredibly amazing and who allowed us a gift that we cannot really fully explain the levity to in words to anyone else. It was a “you had to be there” kind of day. At the time in 2002 there was no book about his life but I came home thinking that there should be and I am so glad someone did write one.
It was an absolutely amazing story to hear firsthand in March 2002. And I don’t know what made me think of Big Jim today but I am so glad to be able to find this video linked to an article about him and his team while Hitler was watching. Thank you Jim McMillin for that day. USA ♥️
I just finished the audio book read by the late Edward Hermann. What a fabulous book and fabulous narration. I cried so many times. I lived in Anacortes, WA and was so proud of how the book explains the mentality and personality of the Pacific NW. Good people through and through.
Wonderful. I never knew this story. I rowed in high school and loved it. Life evolved and I didn’t row any more and then discovered sea kayaking in my 40s. I’m still at it and I’m 71 now and I hope to be able to do it for a few more years.
As heartwarming as the story is, the writing is even better. The author really knows how to build suspense.
Met Don Hume at Henley late 90's. A gentleman. I knew about the 36 Olympics. But Mr. Hume did not mention it. Humble. Sport coat, tie, slacks. Biggest hands I've ever seen. I'm from Seattle. I've rowed from the boat. house
I think it is the best book I have ever read! James Daniel Brown captured Joe's life beautifully. That book pulled me in from page one.
It is definitely one of the best books I have ever read, too----teamwork/working together has been my mantra no matter what group I was with or project we were doing. Thank you, Daniel Brown for narrating this incredible story AND for the lessons we have all gleaned from the book.
A book like no other, with so much humility. I read it twice and could read it again. Well done Dan James Brown.
Without a doubt, this book I’ve ever read. I then listen to the audiobook, and it was a masterpiece. I was mesmerized from the beginning to the last sentence in the epilogue.
Cried, cried, and cried reading the book……such a story about remarkable boys.
Having rowed crew on the Hudson River daily, for Marist College in the 1960s, I realize the marvelous significance of the huge painted W
On the cliff overlooking our ROWING every day. Thanks Dan Brown. I read Boys in the Boat 3X . Loved it!
A great book about great men -wish all young people would read it.
Amazing story still cant forgive his father for leaving his son behind, regardless of how tough he knew he was
I am almost done with the book now. I have enjoyed it immensely. I will no longer complain about my minuscule childhood challenges. These amazing young men overcame so many obstacles to achieve their goal. I am in awe of them.
I borrowed this book from a friend when it came out and I’m never going to return it. I have been rereading it ever since, it has become like a bible to me, I read different parts whenever I’m looking for inspiration. What an incredible story impeccably written! A truly inspiring story.
Many people of this time are beyond inspirational. The way they SURVIVED. The gumption. I don't know what words to use. These people they just, they just move on, they don't complain. They were hungry, had very little in shelter, clothing, etc. They just carry on; what else can you do, right? It makes me feel so inadequate and spoiled. I am grateful and I know people shouldn't have to suffer that way. But it truly is inspiring. They were grateful, humble, willing to work. The way we are today is just gross.🥺
This is the book I tell people to read when they think they're living a tough life.
Just finished the book. Loved it. I saw the PBS documentary first a little while back. Even though I thought I remembered that they won the gold in 1936, my heart still pounded when I read the description of the race in the book.
This is a phenomenal book about an incredible group of young men during the bleak early years of the great depression. I didn't know a thing about crew, boat races or racing shells. It doesn't matter. I couldn't put it down and have since read it twice and listened to the unabridged book read by the late actor Edward Hermann. I love the Olympic games in any era and grew up hearing my grandparents talk about growing up during the depression so I thought well I'll give it a try. To say I loved it is a massive understatement. Read it and you will be better off for it and glad that you did.
I, too, was a changed person (for the better) after reading the book, watching the film, and watching several documentaries after that!
After reading this book I still get a little emotional watching and listening to these videos. I highly recommend this book.
One of the most jaw-dropping stories was the night the Washington rowers decided to visit FDR's house, Hyde Park, on the Hudson River. This was before the Secret Service's Presidential Protection Detail.
You sound like you are speaking from experience. What is your connection to this story?
Wonderful book....best ever! I read the last chapter 4 times....it was so thrilling!!!!
The most fantastic book I have ever read. I was an education on its own.
Wow I’m going to get the book now thanks
Just saw that Boys In The Boat is coming out as a Major Motion Picture, directed by George Clooney this Christmas.
Thank you John for your wonderful video. You may remember me as an anesthesiologist at the simulation crisis center long ago.
Hi Pali, I'm sorry I don't remember you. Did you come in from an outside hospital? What is your connection to rowing? John
Great movie
I finished this book earlier this week, loved it and all I could think was it would make a great mini-series. Just read that George Clooney will be directing a movie version and while I think that's really nice, I can't help but think of all the wonderful details in the book that will be lost in a 2 hour movie.
I SO enjoyed the movie but realized George Clooney would have to pick and choose which angles/storylines he wanted to include, as he couldn't include all the details the book provided -- grateful for both the book and the movie ---and the documentaries that are also available.
John, Thank you for your wonderful documentary on this story. I was a Husky crewman for one year as a freshman at UW and very much enjoyed your discussion. You should continue making documentaries on this Channel
I knew a little about it, but the book was so much more! My grandfather’s life was similar, but without the education. When his mom died in Idaho, he and his sister were dumped in an orphanage. Grandpa ran away. The new stepmom wanted nothing to do with him. Grandpa became a logger. I live near Sequim now. Abandoning children was so common then.
Thanks, John.
I loved BOYS IN THE BOAT by Dan Brown.
As a former oarsman for Marist College and the NYAC, I attended the 1972 Olympics where the New Zealand 🇳🇿 kiwis won 🏆 the eights.
Looking forward to the movie, too.
The PBS documentary was great! Gave me chills watching the rowing footage after growing up watching UW football and crew. These guys were my moms contemporaries... wish she was still around to ask about the boys in the boat
A tremendously inspirational and poignantly moving true story. I read it twice , privileged to be able to immerse myself in this absolutely amazing story.
One of the best books I have read for sports.
Thank you for this
Thanks for posting this video... Just finished listening to audio book and appreciated seeing images to go with the story. What these boys did just to get to college and stay there was remarkable, let along their outstanding success at rowing....
Fantastic book about a fantastic group of young men. The book puts you right in the boat with them!
And it puts you within the lives of the young men!
My son was the University of Massachusetts varsity cox in the early 1980's. It was a great time. The book is wonderful!
Yes. There was a huge purple and white W on the Hudson River cliff across from Marist college. What was the University of Washington doing in Poughkeepsie, NY?
We now know, thanks to Dan Brown and Boys in the Boat .
I recently saw the movie and was so moved by it! Thank you for background info……. Now to buy the book!
Lovely tribute. I was Yale '78, from Northern California like Stephen and his sister Jennie ('80 and '78 respectively). I remember Stephen Kiesling wrote a really wonderful book about rowing as a Scholar of the House his senior year, entitled The Shell Game. He made the 1980 Olympic team but, in a decision I think was his worst as President, Jimmy Carter decided to boycott the Moscow Olympics. Although in light of events this year, maybe it was the most morally courageous decision of his life. I'm open to a spirited conversation about that!
I have given a couple of copies of Stephen's book to my friends' children who rowed in college. Stephen's sister Jennie was one of a group of female rowers who stripped naked, wrote "Title IX" on their bodies and protested in the office of their coach, I believe it was, in 1976 - about the unfair treatment of female athletes at Yale. Athletes who were doing much better than the men were, but they had to sit in the freezing bus for 30 minutes while the men's team got to take hot showers in the boathouse. They inspired a generation of female athletes with that courageous act.
When I tried rowing, my body is so asymmetric I go in huge circles on San Francisco Bay, but I love reading about the sport. David Halberstam's The Amateurs was another great book. But I have to say, the most thrilling book I ever read about rowing was The Boys in the Boat. I think it's up there in the pantheon of books, along with the story of the Endurance, and the biography of Tom Crean, the unsung hero of both Scott and Shackleton's harrowing trips to Antarctica.
What a great book....wonderfully written.....!!!
John, thank you for narrating this wonderful story and delivering the most eloquent acquiescence for the acknowledgement of the divine at the end. Bravo!!!
GREAT BOOK
Just finished the book and went looking for what ever was available on line for more. Found this video and am grateful for the extra material you gave and your comments given through the perspective of a rower and Olympian. Thank you
This was a great book. Highly recommended.
Thank you for this information, John. I just saw The Boys of '36 for the first time this week. This team of guys had so many obstacles that they had to overcome to get to the Olympics in Berlin. This is an amazing story, and I consider these guys true American heroes. Just ordered the dvd and D.J. Brown's book.
Thanks for posting John. Hope you're doing well.
I read the book recently, and it was so moving. Thank you for sharing more information about the event and about their lives.
What a fantastic part of US history! A salute to the men who played a major part in the success of this team to make all Americans proud!
Great job pulling the background info together and presenting the additional detail. A superb story on many levels and happy to see that it's being produced as a movie.
Outstanding read 2024!
I adored the book. I am dyslexic. So I listened to the Audible version. Our twins were born a few months premature and had to spend six weeks in the NICU. The book helped me pull through it (so to speak). Day and night after night, as my wife and I held our lightweight pair, we listened entranced to "Boys." The book was so good that it helped us ignore the tubes, wires, and NICU din. A few weeks ago, I listened to it again. It still made me feel the hair on the back of my neck dance and tingle. And I still worried that they might not overcome the slow start at the penultimate IRA and the Olympic final. I can only hope our pair overcome their slow start, too.
Thank you for the great video, John.
Wow! Amazing story. Beautiful.
An excellent read a few years back! Moving and unpretentious. Look forward to the movie. Thank you George and John.
excellent book! So inspiring, I felt like I was in the boat with them ~adrenalin and all!
Great book
I received this book as a Christmas gift from a friend-customer of mine. (each year she got me a book). At first I wondered how it would be possible to hold my attention with the telling of winning at Berlin by an American Crew Team????......well, ...it never let me down and I rate it as one of the BEST books I have ever read....And If you read it yourself, I bet you say the same.
I enjoyed this very much, thank you for sharing here.
Thank you for your interesting, heartfelt posting. I just found this book and am already deeply into it.
The book changed my life as my son became a rower.
Best sports book I ever read…..the movie misses a lot but the boat scenes were good
Loved the book!
Awesome feat God bless them.
The UW ’36 story got me thinking about Britain’s ARA in 1889 banning all manual workers from its competitions w/ its infamous ‘mechanics rule.’ This separation of the classes lasted till at least 1937 when the ARA finally abolished it’s definition of ‘amateur,’ & so removed much of the ‘mechanics’ ban. Perhaps it was UW’s working class victory in 1936, against all odds, that got the ARA toffs of Angleland to step back from their fifty year class segregation decree.
Yeah what’s interesting about places like seattle back then - is pretty much everyone was working class. There still isn’t really the “old money” or “society “ you see elsewhere.
Great stuff!!!
Boom 💥
Soon to be a movie
Steven Spielberg, please make this Movie
Spielberg isn't but George Clooney is!
Great clip, I read the book a few years ago. Particularly interested in the other (USA) Olympians of 1936. The video mentioned other athletes which "they had met" while in Germany. They missed a very important individual...from Pasadena, California...none other than Mathew MacKenzie "Mac" Robinson (Silver; 200 Meters) behind James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens. Both runners broke the Olympic record. Need I explain whom Mr. Robinson's younger brother was? #42
My cousin Joyce Simdars was married to Joe Rantz.
Are you in touch with the Rantz family?
Yes I stay in contact with my cousin Judy Willman she is Joe Rantz daughter. Occasionally I get to go to events with her when she and her husband Ray come to the peninsula to Port Angeles mostly and I've been to several events with Daniel James Brown and my cousin and have had the seat right next to Daniel James Brown at dinners and events.
Daniel James Brown is my cousin Judy Willman's neighbor. Daniel James Brown also has a house in Port Townsend.
That is from whom I got the content for the above video.
You did an excellent job on the video. I would like to e-mail you a photo of Daniel James Brown, my cousin Judy Willman and me at a book signing if you are interested. My e-mail is ricksindars@msn.com
I read the book which was fabulous. We saw the movie this past weekend which was BEYOND FABULOUS !!!! What a great story and film. George Clooney did a great job. Highly recommend both.
In the midst of reading the book with the rest of my book group, and terrific finding this video, especially when, at 2:55, John Biglow begons talking about each of the boys in the boat. Enjoy the video, and read Brown's book, "The Boys in the Boat". The shell builder George Pocock is a major figure in the book and there are other videos focusing on him.
My grandfather, Leslie Hollenbeck, was a senior and varsity row in ‘36. He committed suicide in 1967, so I wasn’t able to meet him. The family doesn’t know why he didn’t make the Olympic squad.
Did you have a relative who was head of USRA or NRF (National Rowing Fedeation)?
Enjoyed the video, thank you. I wonder if Cox Moch was questioned about his Jewish heritage in Berlin?
Or, how many rowers/athletes were questioned prior to competition.
this is from Joe Rantz's daughter, Judy: Interesting questions. For what it’s worth, I would suspect that Bob made every effort to not say anything to anyone about his heritage. As far as any sort of questioning if the rest of the guys, there wasn’t any remarks about that in any of their diaries, so I suspect there was nothing like that.
Thank you Judy. I was wondering about external pressures because of the way that Marty Glickman & Sam Stoller, both Jewish, were benched the day before the 4x100 meter relay. The pair disagree as to the source of that decision, Glickman citing anti-Semitism, collaboration, but Stoller not.
Thank you very much for all your work with Dan Brown to bring this heroic crew’s story into the present. Some stories are too good for the attic, they’re bound for books, big screens & blades.
Good right off. 3:01 Ruined the book.
It is possible that you and I met. I worked at the 1984 Olympics helping the athletes who resided in the dorms at UCSB. Sadly, my strongest memory is just how roided out the Eastern Block athletes were, the females especially. This was during the Cold War and the Soviets abused steroids a lot before the tests got better.
please send me your e-mail or phone and I'll tell you when I get it so you can delete it from public view.
Neither works
interesting how hard they worked to go to university. No loans.
Harry Rantz and the pitiful excuse for a human being, Thula, should have been jailed for their treatment of Joe Rantz. I think Joe may be one of the greatest men I have ever read about. RIP hero. Thula got her karma, though.
This was really great, John. A good follow up for me after seeing the new Clooney movie version of the book.