Where to start
The Boys in the Boat
3 versions · originally a film, 2023
This saga chronicles the grit and unlikely triumph of the University of Washington rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
✦ Most fans start here
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT

The original movie
The Boys in the Boat
George Clooney · Film · 2023
The Boys in the Boat (2023) is a cinematic production directed by George Clooney that provides a visual, dramatized retelling of the team's historic journey toward Olympic glory in Germany.

Adaptation (book)
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT
Daniel James Brown · Book
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (2013) is Daniel James Brown’s foundational text, offering a comprehensive, detailed account of the rowers' lives that serves as the definitive source material for the film.

Adaptation (book)
✦ Start hereTHE BOYS IN THE BOAT
Daniel James Brown · Book
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (2013) unabridged audiobook, narrated by Edward Herrmann, provides an immersive, long-form experience that allows listeners to absorb the full historical depth of the rowers' incredible story.
Common questions
Is The Boys in the Boat movie based on the book?
Yes, the 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat is a direct adaptation of the non-fiction book titled The Boys in the Boat. The film translates the historical narrative of the University of Washington rowing team into a cinematic format.
Should I read The Boys in the Boat book before watching the movie?
You can choose either order as both the book and the 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat cover the same historical events. Reading the book provides deeper context into the athletes' lives, while the movie offers a visual representation of their journey.
What is the source material for The Boys in the Boat?
The source material for the 2023 film is the non-fiction book The Boys in the Boat. The book documents the true story of the American rowing team that competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
Does The Boys in the Boat movie cover the entire book?
The 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat adapts the primary narrative arc found in the book The Boys in the Boat. While the film focuses on the central journey of the rowing team, the book provides additional historical details regarding the era.