The Boys in the Boat has been on bestseller lists since publication, perhaps because it shares the fundamental appeal and structure of what Joseph Campbell calls the monomyth in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces: "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man." What do you think Joe Rantz' true quest is, and what knowledge and powers does he acquire on his journey?What significance does his point of view have for the unfolding of Brown's narrative that another point of view might not have? What was so special about Joe that he became the element that finally brought the boys of the Husky Clipper together?
The Boys in the Boat is also the story of a generation of young men and women, what Tom Brokaw calls "the Greatest Generation," during one of the most difficult times in American and world history. What are the special qualities of this generation, and how did their experiences with the Great Depression and World War II influence their development? What do you think Americans today can learn from this generation?
Author David Laskin calls The Boys in the Boat "Chariots of Fire with oars." To get a feel for the drama of the 1936 Olympics and the great athleticism of crew teams, watch this trailer from the publisher, Viking/Penguin, for The Boys in the Boat:
We hope you will join the discussion: Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Main Library; Thursday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. at West Ashley Branch Library; and here on the blog.
