IN 1936, Adolf Hitler welcomed the world to Berlin to attend the Olympic Games. It promised to be not only a magnificent sporting event but also a grand showcase for the rebuilt Germany. No effort was spared to present the Third Reich as the newest global power. But beneath the glittering surface, the Games of the Eleventh Olympiad of the Modern Era came to act as a crucible for the dark political forces that were gathering, foreshadowing the bloody conflict to come.
The 1936 Olympics were nothing less than the most political sporting event of the last century--an epic clash between proponents of barbarism and those of civilization, both of whom tried to use the Games to promote their own values. Berlin Games is the complete history of those fateful two weeks in August. It is a story of the athletes and their accomplishments, an eye-opening account of the Nazi machine's brazen attempt to use the Games as a model of Aryan superiority and fascist efficiency, and a devastating indictment of the manipulative power games of politicians, diplomats, and Olympic officials that would ultimately have profound consequences for the entire world.
Industry Reviews
A book of range and quality. -- Times Literary Supplement (London) A rich, entertaining and sobering narrative -- Melbourne Age A rich, entertaining and sobering narrative--Melbourne Age Walters presents a serious work of history that's also an addictive read.--The Observer (England) A fascinating story of political and sporting intrigue, backed by the fruits of impeccable research--The Argus Nothing short of riveting...This is a work of real significance.--Scotland on Sunday "[Walter's] writes with a journalist's precision and a novelist's dramatic flair"--Booklist A book of range and quality.--Times Literary Supplement (London) [Walter s] rigorous journalism relies on succinct summations of his characters histories, which prove both even-handed and generous. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)" [Walter s] writes with a journalist s precision and a novelist s dramatic flair --Booklist" Walters presents a serious work of history that s also an addictive read.--The Observer (England)" Walters has done a tremendous amount of digging in the archives...the result is lively, often humorous and frequently moving.--Daily Telegraph (London) At its heart, this book emphasises the dark hypocrisy that underpins much of the IOC's behaviour then and since--The Press A diligent researcher, Walters also has a journalist's eye for a story.--Financial Times A meticulous and often vivacious account of the events surrounding Hitler's propaganda coup in 1936--The Times (London) "[Walter's] rigorous journalism relies on succinct summations of his characters' histories, which prove both even-handed and generous."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
