New Releases by Daniel James Brown

Now a Major Motion Picture Directed by George Clooney The #1 New York Times bestselling true story about the American rowing triumph of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin—from the author of Facing the Mountain For readers of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Depression comes an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant. It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.

Adapted for young readers from the New York Times bestseller by Daniel James Brown, Facing the Mountain is the remarkable true story of three brave Japanese American soldiers who fought for the United States during World War II while facing discrimination at home. Perfect for readers of The Boys in the Boat. After the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese Americans became the subject of racism and discrimination within the United States. Many were rounded up and put in concentration camps. But even while this was happening, there were many Japanese American soldiers who fought to ensure that all Americans were safe during the biggest conflict in world history. Facing the Mountain is the story of three Japanese American soldiers: Rudy Tokiwa, Fred Shiosaki, and Kats Miho, who volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team to fight for their country in World War II. The book covers the three soldiers' deployment to Europe and the struggles of their families back home. Woven throughout is the chronicle of Gordon Hirabayashi, one of a cadre of patriotic resisters who stood up against the government in defense of their own rights. Equal parts riveting war story, resisitance history, and courtroom drama, Facing the Mountain is a fascinating and impeccably researched book that will captivate young readers. Includes black and white photos and backmatter.

Bestseller do New York Times Os Rapazes de Ouro, de Daniel James Brown, é um livro de não-ficção que se pode ler como um romance. A história da equipa de remo da Universidade de Washington, então composta por nove estudantes caloiros de origem humilde que abriram caminho até aos Jogos Olímpicos de Berlim em 1936 para desafiar e vencer os melhores do mundo, é mais do que o relato de uma demanda improvável rumo à vitória olímpica. A par do grande fenómeno desportivo, Daniel James Brown evoca também a paisagem socioeconómica dos Estados Unidos da América durante a Grande Depressão e o clima de horror numa Alemanha hitleriana que não se coibia de investir em grande escala nos seus atletas olímpicos como forma de glorificar a nação. E ainda que Jesse Owens seja o atleta americano mais famoso dos Jogos Olímpicos de Berlim em 1936, e o homem que repudiou a noção de supremacia branca de Adolf Hitler ao ganhar o ouro em quatro provas, o esforço da equipa de remo para conquistar a vitória continua a ser uma história notável sobre tenacidade, num tempo em que os sonhos de juventude não tinham razão de ser.

Soon to be a major motion picture directed by George Clooney The New York Times bestselling young readers adaptation of The Boys in the Boat, now in paperback with bonus content including an author Q&A and never-before-seen photographs Inspiration for the PBS American Experience Documentary 'The Boys of '36' For readers of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant. With rowers who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite East Coast teams, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler. At the center of the tale is Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, whose personal quest captures the spirit of his generation—the generation that would prove in the coming years that the Nazis could not prevail over American determination and optimism. This deeply emotional yet easily accessible young readers adaptation of the award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller features never-before-seen photographs, highly visual back matter, and an exclusive new introduction.

Skutečný příběh, který se stal celosvětovým bestsellerem. Nebylo mnoho ran, kterých by Joe Rantz zůstal ušetřen – smrt matky, útěk otce, náhradní rodina, kde nebyl vítán. Všichni nejbližší ho nakonec opustili a nechali napospas osudu. Joe pochopil, že se musí spoléhat výhradně sám na sebe. V mimořádně pohnuté době, která se otřásala přírodními katastrofami, hospodářskou krizí, stávkami a skandály, mu ani nic jiného nezbývalo. Navzdory všem okolnostem se mu podařilo uživit se, a časem si dokonce vydělal i na studium. A pak si Joea, uzavřeného a chudého jako kostelní myš, všiml trenér veslování, který hledal slibné nováčky... Od samého začátku to byl bláhový sen. Nikdo nečekal, že by posádka osmiveslice, složená ze synů dřevorubců, dělníků a farmářů ze zapadlých městeček, mohla porazit elitní týmy prominentů z východního pobřeží a Velké Británie, a přesto to dokázali. Navzdory velmi skromným poměrům se dokázali vypracovat a nakonec šokovali celý svět, když porazili i tým Německa, který vesloval pro Adolfa Hitlera na olympijských hrách v roce 1936 v Berlíně.

Es esta una fascinante historia de perseverancia, superación individual y espíritu de equipo. Con orígenes en la Depresión norteamericana y a pocos años de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Daniel James Brown narra la epopeya del equipo de ocho remeros y su timonel de la Universidad de Washington, y su épica misión de ganar la medalla de oro en 1936 en los Juegos Olímpicos del Berlín de Hitler. El equipo de remo estadounidense que sorprendió al mundo y que transformó este deporte atrajo la atención de millones de personas. Fue una misión improbable desde el principio. Con un equipo compuesto por hijos de madereros, trabajadores de los astilleros y agricultores, el equipo de la Universidad de Washington no esperaba poder derrotar a los equipos de élite de la costa este y Gran Bretaña; sin embargo lo hizo, y llegó a sorprender al mundo al derrotar al equipo alemán de remo de Adolf Hitler. Partiendo de los propios diarios de los chicos y de los vívidos recuerdos de un sueño, Brown ha creado el retrato inolvidable de una era, una celebración de un logro notable y una crónica de búsqueda personal a través de la visión de uno de estos jóvenes extraordinarios.

Der Millionenseller aus den USA Von Beginn an ist es eine Reise mit unwahrscheinlichem Ausgang: Neun junge Männer aus der amerikanischen Provinz machen sich 1936 auf den Weg nach Berlin, um die Goldmedaille im Rudern zu gewinnen. Daniel James Brown schildert das Schicksal von Joe Rantz, einem Jungen ohne Perspektive, der rudert, um den Dämonen seiner Vergangenheit zu entkommen und seinen Platz in der Welt zu finden. Wie er und seine Freunde vor den laufenden Kameras Leni Riefenstahls den Nazis ihre Propagandashow stehlen, ist ein atemberaubendes Abenteuer und zugleich das eindringliche Porträt einer Ära. Eine unvergessliche wahre Geschichte von Entschlossenheit, Überleben und Mut.

L'histoire vraie de l'équipe d'aviron qui humilia Hitler ! Seattle, années 1930, Joe Rantz est l'un des sportifs les plus prometteurs du programme d'aviron de l'université. Abandonné à son sort par sa famille, il ne peut poursuivre ses études qu'à condition de briller dans une des équipes du campus. Ce sera l'aviron, un sport où seul l'effort collectif compte, un sport qui fera de lui un adulte. Course après course, sous l'impulsion d'un entraîneur aussi secret que déterminé et grâce aux conseils d'un Anglais excentrique, les neuf rameurs de l'équipe surmonteront tous les obstacles jusqu'à la consécration aux jeux Olympiques de 1936, sous les yeux mêmes de Hitler et devant les caméras de Leni Riefenstahl. Cette histoire authentique de jeunes garçons qui sont allés à l'encontre de leur destin est aussi une fantastique évocation de l'époque. Entre l'Ouest américain encore sauvage et un Berlin remodelé par la propagande nazie, Daniel James Brown rend avec justesse ce que fut la Grande Dépression pour des millions de gens. Récit captivant mené d'une main de maître, Ils étaient un seul homme parle de courage et de dépassement de soi, de la force de la fraternité contre la barbarie des temps.

Dit is het verhaal van negen Amerikaanse jongens die deelnamen aan de Olympische Spelen van Berlijn in 1936. Jongens van eenvoudige komaf, zonen van houthakkers, timmerlieden en boeren, die het op durfden te nemen tegen de rijke college boys uit Engeland, de fanatieke Italianen en de gedoodverfde winnaars uit Duitsland. De nazi's meenden het goud binnen handbereik te hebben; zonder enige twijfel zou hun 'arische acht' in Berlijn gaan oogsten. Maar het liep anders. De Amerikanen hadden een eigenzinnige coach die van dit stelletje onervaren jongens een topteam maakte dat de ene na de andere overwinning wist te behalen in de Amerikaanse Universiteitscompetitie. Maar een podiumplaats in Berlijn leek haast ondenkbaar. Toch gingen zich op weg naar de Spelen van Berlijn, op weg naar een gouden medaille.

Cast aside by his family at an early age, abandoned and left to fend for himself in the woods of Washington State, young Joe Rantz turns to rowing as a way of escaping his past. What follows is an extraordinary journey, as Joe and eight other working-class boys exchange the sweat and dust of life in 1930s America for the promise of glory at the heart of Hitler's Berlin. Stroke by stroke, a remarkable young man strives to regain his shattered self-regard, to dare again to trust in others -- and to find his way back home.

From the #1 bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat comes an unforgettable epic of family, tragedy, and survival on the American frontier “An ideal pairing of talent and material.… Engrossing.… A deft and ambitious storyteller.” – Mary Roach, New York Times Book Review In April of 1846, twenty-one-year-old Sarah Graves, intent on a better future, set out west from Illinois with her new husband, her parents, and eight siblings. Seven months later, after joining a party of pioneers led by George Donner, they reached the Sierra Nevada Mountains as the first heavy snows of the season closed the pass ahead of them. In early December, starving and desperate, Sarah and fourteen others set out for California on snowshoes, and, over the next thirty-two days, endured almost unfathomable hardships and horrors. In this gripping narrative, New York Times bestselling author Daniel James Brown sheds new light on one of the most legendary events in American history. Following every painful footstep of Sarah’s journey with the Donner Party, Brown produces a tale both spellbinding and richly informative.

On September 1, 1894, two forest fires converged on the town of Hinckley, Minnesota, trapping more than two thousand people. The fire created its own weather, including hurricane-strength winds, bubbles of plasma-like glowing gas, and 200-foot-tall flames. As temperatures reached 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, the firestorm knocked down buildings and carried flaming debris high into the sky. Two trains—one with every single car on fire—became the only means of escape. In all, more than four hundred people would die, leading to a revolution in forestry management and the birth of federal agencies that monitor and fight wildfires. A spellbinding account of danger, devastation, and courage, Under a Flaming Sky reveals the dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the tragedy and brings into focus the ordinary citizens whose lives it irrevocably marked.