Daniel James Brown’s book, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for 62 weeks – that’s every week since its paperback publication. How can one book appeal to so many people? Connecting communities through reading the same book is the very essence of the Maryland Humanities Council’s One Maryland One Book program. Every year, we look for a book that will fit a theme while attracting all kinds of Maryland readers. The 2015 One Maryland One Book theme is sports and the drama of human competition. However, The Boys in the Boat is much more than a “sports story”; it’s a masterful blend of history, biography, and inspiration.
Daniel James Brown tells the story of Joe Rantz and the 1936 Olympic Rowing Team; nine men whose comradery and tireless effort earned them the title of Olympic champions, defeating the world’s elite teams in front of Hitler himself. Mr. Brown draws on the boys’ diaries, photos, and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream. The Boys in the Boat truly is a portrait of an era and a celebration of a team whose names we may never have known, but whose story will continue to inspire us long after we turn the final page.
The Maryland Humanities Council will welcome 2015 One Maryland One Book author Daniel James Brown to town from September 27–30 for a six-stop statewide tour to speak about his New York Times bestselling book.
Mr. Brown will speak, answer questions, and sign copies of his book at tour stops in Frederick, Talbot, Harford, and Anne Arundel counties and Baltimore City.
2015 One Maryland One Book Author Tour Schedule
Baltimore Book Festival
Sunday, September 27
2:30 p.m.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
This event will be held in the Book Festival’s Literary Salon. Mr. Brown will be introduced by the program’s honorary chair, author Laura Lippman.
Information: 410-685-0095
Frederick Community College
Monday, September 28
11:00 a.m.
Jack B. Kussmaul Theater
7932 Opossumtown Pike
Information: 301-846-2400
Co-Host: Frederick County Public Libraries | Local Partner: Frederick Community College
Chesapeake College
Monday, September 28
7:00 p.m.
Routes 50 & 213
Information: 410-479-1343 ext.1 | Day of Event: 410-827-5860
Co-Host: Caroline County Public Library | Local Partners: Dorchester, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s County Public Libraries and Chesapeake College
Abingdon Library
Tuesday, September 29
7:00 p.m.
2510 Tollgate Road
Information: 410-638-3990
Co-Host: Harford County Public Library | Local Partners: Harford Community College and the County Department of Community Services Senior Division
Glen Burnie High School
Wednesday, September 30
11:00 a.m.
7550 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
Information: 443-770-5190
Co-Host: Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Local Partners: Anne Arundel County Public Library and Anne Arundel Community College
Jernigan Institute at the National Federation of the Blind
Wednesday, September 30
7:00 p.m.
200 E. Wells Street
Information: 410-230-2444
Co-Hosts: Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, Baltimore Rowing Club, and the National Federation of the Blind