Olympic and Paralympic games Books

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR The definitive biography of one of the greatest, most extraordinary runners and Olympic heroes of all time, from the author of running classic Feet in the Clouds. Emil Zátopek won five Olympic medals, set 18 world records, and went undefeated over 10,000 metres for six years. He redefined the boundaries of endurance, training in Army boots, in snow, in sand, in darkness. But his toughness was matched by a spirit of friendship and a joie de vivre that transcended the darkest days of the Cold War. His triumphs put his country on the map, yet when Soviet tanks moved in to crush Czechoslovakia's new freedoms in 1968, Zátopek paid a heavy personal price for his brave defence of socialism with a human face'. Rehabilitated two decades later, he was a shadow of the man he had been and the world hadTrade ReviewA tale from athletics' age of innocence... He was a sporting hero not just for his time but for all time * Spectator *A wonderfully in-depth and often emotionally charged piece of writing * Athletics Weekly *An astonishing achievement... There are few writers as adept at capturing so lyrically the utter and incomprehensible strangeness of distance running... A joy to read * Literary Review *Sport book of the year… A fascinating tale, showing all sides of Zátopek, injecting humanity and humour into a dramatic life -- Matt Butler * i, Book of the Year *Reminds us of the pain and the glory behind every victory and the power of sport to bring people together and make history -- Martina NavratilovaA warm, honest and moving account of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. Richard Askwith brings to life both the epic triumphs but also the difficulties and complexities of Zatopek's role in Communist Czechoslovakia -- Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the KenyansA portrait of a fine but flawed human. -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times, Book of the Year *A tremendous read and also a reminder of the lost purity of track and field -- Eileen Battersby * The Irish Times *Terrific -- Huw Richards * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis is the fascinating story of Swedish equestrian and Olympic medallist Peder Fredricson and his winding road to success. As a five-year-old he was riding on free rein in the Swedish forests and from then on everything was about horses. He worked as a groom for the best equestrians in the world, lived on next to nothing and rode for a while with a buzzard on his arm. He was a skilled rider but not very interested in competing.When he finally was persuaded to compete in the big equestrian eventing and showjumping competitions, he realised that talent was not enough - he had to rethink completely. He created a structure, both for everyday life and for competitions, and the outcome was almost immediate. After only a few years, he was one of the best showjumpers in the world. Much has changed since his unconventional childhood, but his attitude remains the same - interaction with the horses is what is most important. His mental focus has been his secret weapon in the major competitions.Today, Peder Fredricson is one of the top showjumpers on the planet with four Olympic medals to his credit. In 2021 he was ranked the world number one rider.

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Book SynopsisGet ready for the race of your life… This is what it feels like when I’m running. When I’m running fast, I feel free. 12-year-old Lili is determined to defeat her arch rival in front of the Queen during her school’s anniversary celebrations. Adopted from China as a baby, Lili also has personal challenges to overcome, but when her training is thrown into chaos by events outside her control, she realises that she must choose between family and the race of her life. Meanwhile in 1944, Eric Liddell, hero of the 1924 Olympics, finds himself in a war zone. Separated from his family, he is getting ready to run his final race in a prison camp in China when his lifelong principles are challenged by the imprisoned children he is trying to help… Praise for The Race ‘Not your typical happily ever after, Roy has written a wonderfully relatable and inclusive tale, where all are welcome, and the beauty of sport brings everyone together in the end. There are life lessons to be learned in this inspiring story with friendship at its heart.’ SHAUNAGH BROWN International Rugby Player and Former Commonwealth Games AthleteTrade Review‘An inspiring, inclusive story with sport at its heart.’ SHAUNAGH BROWN 'An original, immensely readable take on the Eric Liddell story for the 21st century.' SALLY MAGNUSSON ‘A very interesting, relatable and enjoyable read that brings the memory of Eric Liddell to life.’ ALLAN WELLS MBE 'Written with a warm sense of inclusion and friendship, The Race is both an inspiration and an emotional journey into the lives of two runners, one fictional and one very real, but both with battles to fight and problems to solve.' LANCASHIRE POST ‘This book is built around the foundations of sport what it really teaches children is about family, the meaning of home and of the beauty and validity of dual identity.’ THE NATIONAL ‘An emotional story that follows two narratives set in two different decades, with the main focus being schoolgirl Lili as she prepares for the race of her life. Recommended for lovers of Michael Morpurgo, this book will tug at your heartstrings as Lili tugs at the knot of her shoelaces.’ BIG ISSUE NORTH ‘The Race is an incredibly inspirational and heart-warming dual narrative about racing, family and dedication which kept me completely engrossed throughout. An absolute winner!’ BOOK CRAIC ‘The Race is an inspiring and multi-layered read that both celebrates sport and assesses it. It gets off to a sprint start, but as the two runners chase their bumpy destinies, it evolves into an engrossing distance event, in which they face hurdles and select strategies, and ultimately remind us that determination, compassion and love have greater value than glory.’ ROARING READS ‘Roy Peachey has written a fantastic dual narrative story of survival against all odds.’ MY BOOK CORNER ‘A moving tale of what is important – what really is important. About the decisions we make and why we make them. A book everyone should read. Buy it if you race. Buy it, if you play rugby. Buy it anyway.' SUE CHAMBERS, WATERSTONES ‘The Race is a fabulous tale; Lili’s story interwoven with Eric Liddell’s. I loved every minute of this fairly short book... It’s this kind of surprise find that makes reading such a great pleasure.' THE BOOKWITCH '...could spark discussions about resilience, race and identity, research, the Olympics, history, family and personal priorities. Sure to offer an extra special appeal this year in the run-up to the Olympic Games.' BOOKS FOR TOPICS

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Book SynopsisTravel with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins on her compelling journey from America’s heartland to international sports history, navigating challenges and triumphs with rugged grit and a splash of glitter Pyeongchang, February 21, 2018. In the nerve-racking final seconds of the women’s team sprint freestyle race, Jessie Diggins dug deep. Blowing past two of the best sprinters in the world, she stretched her ski boot across the finish line and lunged straight into Olympic immortality: the first ever cross-country skiing gold medal for the United States at the Winter Games. The 26-year-old Diggins, a four-time World Championship medalist, was literally a world away from the small town of Afton, Minnesota, where she first strapped on skis. Yet, for all her history-making achievements, she had never strayed far from the scrappy 12-year-old who had insisted on portaging her own canoe through the wilderness, yelling happily under the unwieldy weight on her shoulders: “Look! I’m doing it!” In Brave Enough, Jessie Diggins reveals the true story of her journey from the American Midwest into sports history. With candid charm and characteristic grit, she connects the dots from her free-spirited upbringing in the woods of Minnesota to racing in the bright spotlights of the Olympics. Going far beyond stories of races and ribbons, she describes the challenges and frustrations of becoming a serious athlete; learning how to push through and beyond physical and psychological limits; and the intense pressure of competing at the highest levels. She openly shares her harrowing struggle with bulimia, recounting both the adversity and how she healed from it in order to bring hope and understanding to others experiencing eating disorders. Between thrilling accounts of moments of triumph, Diggins shows the determination it takes to get there—the struggles and disappointments, the fun and the hard work, and the importance of listening to that small, fierce voice: I can do it. I am brave enough.Trade Review "Jessie Diggins was an elite athlete long before she became an Olympic gold medalist. In Brave Enough, she shows world-class courage by sharing the truth about her eating disorder, her therapy, and the multitude of challenges, doubts, fears, and assorted bogeymen that are so often an untold part of the journey to greatness. She deserves another gold medal for her honesty and her inspiration."—Wayne Coffey, New York Times best-selling author of The Boys of Winter* "I’m honored to have played a role in inspiring Jessie on her journey to Olympic Gold. Brave Enough is a befitting title for this brutally honest and powerful story. As an athlete, Jessie was brave enough to win on the world’s biggest sporting stage. As a writer, she is brave enough to share a raw, heart-wrenching, nothing-held-back look at the struggles she went through to succeed. It’s an inspiring story, worthy of gold."—Jackie Joyner-Kersee "Already an inspiration to us all, Jessie once again shows her courage to leave it all on the track by sharing her deeply personal story. Readers will be encouraged by how one woman created a path forward for herself—and helped and uplifted so many in the process."—Ann Bancroft "Brave Enough is a powerful story that shows that striving for excellence can be essential in sport, yet not even Olympic champions are immune from its unforeseen destructive consequences. With admirable vulnerability, Jessie demonstrates how to be a leader and ‘best teammate’ while also being open to help and support from others. Her story motivates all of us, and she gives us hope and real tools to tackle our biggest challenges. I have never been more proud of my teammate and friend . . . not only has Jessie defeated foes on the race trails but she has courageously conquered the demons in her mind to become a true champion. She is an inspiration for everyone!"—Kikkan Randall, Olympic Champion and World Champion "Jessie has one of the most infectiously positive and bubbly personalities of anyone I have ever met. That, combined with her fierce drive and unwavering grit, is what makes her an inspiration to so many people, including myself, but I never realized just how inspiring she truly is until I read this book. World, meet the force that is Jessie Diggins."—Mikaela Shiffrin, Olympic Champion and World Champion Table of ContentsContentsPrologue: I Can Do It Myself 1. Snow Baby2. Wild Child3. Super Speed4. Thunder Bay5. The Stillwater Way6. Pain Cave7. The Great Balancing Act8. To Ski or Not to Ski9. Slow Spiral10. The Emily Program11. Never Alone12. Blood, Sweat, and Tears13. The National Team14. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles15. Because 96 Isn’t 10016. From Sochi, with Love17. Give It All You Got18. Know When to Fold ’Em19. PyeongChang20. Brave Hearts21. Let’s Go Get It22. One Team23. Here Be Dragons24. Coming Home; or, The Week I Masqueraded As a Rock StarEpilogueAcknowledgments

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Book Synopsis Beyond the headlines of the world''s most beloved sporting events Brazil hosted the 2016 men''s World Cup at a cost of $15 billion to $20 billion, building large, new stadiums in cities that have little use for them anymore. The projected cost of Tokyo''s 2020 Summer Olympic Games is estimated to be as high as $30 billion, much of it coming from the public trough. In the updated and expanded edition of his bestselling book, Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup, Andrew Zimbalist tackles the claim that cities chosen to host these high-profile sporting events experience an economic windfall. In this new edition he looks at upcoming summer and winter Olympic games, discusses the recent Women''s World Cup, and the upcoming men''s tournament in Qatar. Circus Maximus focuses on major cities, like London, Rio, and Barcelona, that have previously hosted these sporting events, to provide context for future host cities that will bear the weight of exploding expenses, corruption, and protests. Zimbalist offers a sobering and candid look at the Olympics and the World Cup from outside the echo chamber.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2017 "Impressively researched, including access to recently declassified material . . . Rider's extensive research is presented in a series of compelling and interconnected examples, all of which support and sustain his thesis."--H-Net "Throughout his well-written examination of these matters, Rider exhibits considerable skill as an historian. . . . With Cold War Games, Rider has contributed an essential work to the scholarship regarding the cultural dimensions of international politics."--Journal of Sport History"Rider provides an in-depth expose of the considerable value granted to athletic success... Highly recommended."--Choice "This book is well researched and will appeal to popular culture fans who are interested in sports diplomacy and the Olympic Games. The scholarship is immensely impressive, with an excellent section of notes that the reader will find as informative as the text."--Journal of American Culture"A particularly fascinating piece of diplomatic history."--Diplomat and International Canada"The scholarship is immensely impressive. There is nothing in the literature of the early Cold War that competes with this book. Rider convincingly makes the case for the secret role of the U.S. government in international sports."--Robert Edelman, author of Serious Fun: A History of Spectator Sports in the USSR"Rider has explored this subject in depth and detail not previously seen in our field. 'No stone unturned' is one thought generated after having read the book. Very impressive."--Stephen Wenn, co-author of Selling the Five Rings: The IOC and the Rise of Olympic Commercialism

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Book Synopsis''Elite athletes aren''t born. They''re made.''Michael JohnsonFrom a living icon of the Olympic Games as both an athlete and now as a BBC broadcaster Gold Rush is a compelling analysis of the fascinating combination of psychological and personal qualities, as well as internal and external factors, that go to create an Olympic champion.This exciting new book is based on Michael Johnson''s own experiences as an iconic four-time Olympic champion, and on the knowledge he has gleaned as a top-class coach and motivational speaker. It also features, uniquely, more than a dozen exclusive and insightful interviews with Olympic legends from across several different sports who between them have claimed more than 50 gold medals over the past 30 years.In essence, Johnson has assembled his very own Olympic Hall of Fame in assessing the DNA of true champions.Gold Rush is themed around chapters in which Johnson will discuss each of the key qualities/factors. He expertly feeds in fascinating first-peTrade Review“Essential Reading” The Observer

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Book SynopsisThe 1988 Seoul Olympics played host to what has been described by some as the dirtiest race of all time, by others as the greatest. The final of the men''s 100 metres at those Olympics is certainly the most infamous in the history of athletics, and more indelibly etched into the consciousness of the sport, the Olympics, and a global audience of millions, than any other athletics event before or since.Ben Johnson''s world-record time of 9.79 seconds as thrilling as it was was the beginning rather than the end of the story. Following the race, Johnson tested positive, news that generated as many if not more shockwaves as his fastest ever run. He was stripped of the title, Lewis was awarded the gold medal, Linford Christie the silver and Calvin Smith the bronze.More than two decades on, the story still hadn''t ended. In 1999 Lewis was named Sportsman of the Century by the IOC, and Olympian of the Century by Sports Illustrated. Yet his reputation was damaged by revelTrade Reviewwill bring armchair athletes to the edge of their seats - and leave them with a very nasty taste in their mouths * Mail on Sunday *a magnificent document about the Carl Lewis-Ben Johnson rivalry. It plunges you deep into the bitterness that marked their enmity and because Moore is the kind of journalist who will speak to 17 people when he could get the story from two, the breadth and detail is astonishing * The Times *A remarkably fresh read given the amount of ink already spilled on the topic. Author Richard Moore has delivered what is certainly the most comprehensive account, and as close to definitive as possible without giving all the "answers" * Glasgow Herald *A captivating and detailed account ... it reads like a thriller, which is exactly the right tone to adopt by author Richard Moore for a story dripping with skulduggery and intrigue ... compelling * Sunday Express *The sportswriter Richard Moore tells the story at a sprinter's pace in his rollicking and well-researched The Dirtiest Race in History * Simon Kuper, Financial Times *Written with a fine sense of balance, timing and tension * The Guardian *Probably the finest sports book published this year * thewashingmachinepost.net *Table of ContentsThe Quest Prologue Part One: Carl and Ben 1. The Santa Monica Track Club 2. Picking Daisies 3. Ben and Charlie 4. The Quiet One 5. The Roots of Evil 6. Wanna be Startin' Somethin' 7. The Prince and the Missing Paperwork Part Two: Rivals 8. Lewis 8, Johnson 1 9. Big Ben and King Carl Part Three: Seoul 10. Dodging 11. The Glasnost Games 12. Sweating it Out 13. The Human Bullet 14. Deny, Deny, Deny 15. The Mystery Man Epilogue: Different Era, Different Time Zone, Same Thing Where Are They Now? Statistics Interviews Bibliography and Further Reading Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisWith a show-jumping career spanning over forty years, Nick Skelton is a legend in the equestrian world. No other rider has won so many major competitions on so many different horses and he is as popular at Olympia and Hickstead as he is at Aachen, Geneva, Paris and Spruce Meadows. Skelton has competed in eight Olympic Games. He was part of the gold medal-winning Great Britain team at London 2012 and made history by winning the individual Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016, riding at the age of fifty-eight his beloved horse Big Star.Nick Skelton began riding at the age of eighteen months on a Welsh pony called Oxo. At the age of seventeenth in 1975, Skelton took team silver and individual gold at the Junior European Championships. He has competed many times at the European Show Jumping Championships, winning numerous medals, both individually and with the British team. In 1980 he competed in the Alternative Olympics, where he helped the British team to a silver medal. He still ho

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Book SynopsisNile Wilson is known to many as a Great Britain Gymnast who won a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and who is England's most successful ever gymnast at a Commonwealth Games following his 5 medals in 2018\. Yet, Nile is so much more than just a gymnast. A YouTuber with over a million subscribers, a social media influencer, a successful businessman and entrepeneur, Nile is also an advocate for mental health awareness, and who has been very open about his own personal struggles. Nile Wilson - My Story gives an unprecedented look into Nile's true battle to be fit and ready for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics - throughout the Games and the aftermath. The public perception of Nile Wilson is his humour, openness and how down to earth he is, all of which is true. Due to this perception however, people presume they know everything about him. This book will shatter that perception, and reveal the struggles behind the smiles, from the brutal reality of performing at an elite sporting level, to the mental health battles Nile has had to fight - and continues to fight - every day.

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Book Synopsis'Brilliant' The TimesMario Leme is a low-ranking detective in the Sao Paulo civil police. Every day on the way to work he sets off early and drives through the favela known as Paraisopolis - Paradise City. It's a pilgrimage: his wife Renata was gunned down at an intersection here a year ago, the victim of a stray bullet in a conflict between drug dealers. One morning, parked near the place where Renata died, he sees an SUV careen out of control and flip over. The driver Leo is killed, but before his body is removed, Leme is sure he sees bullet wounds. Leo's death wasn't an accident, he was murdered. Soon, his girlfriend turns up dead too. And if they were killed deliberately, perhaps Renata was too . . . Leme finds himself immersed further and further in the dark underbelly of Brazilian society, as corruption seeps from the highest to the lowest echelons, and the devastating truth about Renata begins to emerge.PRAISE FOR JOE THOMAS'Brilliant' The Times 'Feverish energy' Guardian 'Wonderfully vivid' Mail on Sunday'Sophisticated, dizzying' GQ'Vivid and visceral' The Times'Superbly realised vivid and atmospheric' Guardian'Original' Mail on Sunday'A stylish, atmospheric treat an inspired blend of David Peace and early Pinter' Irish Times 'Sparse, energetic, fragmented prose' The Spectator 'Vibrant, colourful, and complex' Irish Independent 'Stylish, sharp-witted, taut. A must for modern noir fans' NB Magazine 'Definitive confident and energetic' Crime Time 'Brilliant manic energy' Jake Arnott 'Wildly stylish and hugely entertaining' Lucy Caldwell 'Vivid, stylish, funny' Mick Herron 'Gripping, fast-paced, darkly atmospheric' Susanna Jones 'Snappy, thoughtful, moving' John King 'Exciting, fresh, incredibly assured' Stav Sherez 'Happy days!' Mark Timlin 'Utterly brilliant' Cathi Unsworth 'Had James Ellroy and David Peace collaborated on a novel they'd have written something like this' Paul WilletsTrade ReviewJoe Thomas, who lived in São Paulo for a decade, uses his first-hand knowledge to convincingly bring the city to life -- Nick Caistor * Latinolife *Great crime fiction hinges on a sense of place, and after returning to London after ten years living in the world in which he's set his sophisticated debut, Thomas proves an adroit guide to a city that has developed at dizzying speed * GQ *

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Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelWhat''s it like to compete in the world''s largest sporting event? Find out all about the Olympic Games, when they began and how they have changed over time. Read about the different events and some of the amazing stories of how athletes have won their medals in this fascinating information book.Topaz/ Band 13 books offer longer and more demanding reads for children to investigate and evaluate.Text type: An infomation book.A useful chart on pages 46-47 compares Olympic events from the ancient games, the first modern games and the most recent games to help children discuss what they've read and think about the way the sporting event has changed and developed over time.Additional information retrieval devices such as a glossary and index can be evaluated for their usefulness as children develop critical reading skills.Curriculum links: Geography: Connecting ourselves to the world; Citizenship: Living in a diverse

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Book SynopsisEvery winner of an Olympic event has had to work hard to get to the top, but some have to work even harder to succeed. Find out which athletes have overcome racial inequality, illness and disabilities to earn their medals.Green/Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters.Text type: An information bookCurriculum Links: Citizenship: Living in a diverse worldThis book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for Autobiography of the Year, Sports Book Awards 2022The Instant Sunday Times BestsellerHonest and moving everything a memoir should be' The SunAn illuminating look at what it takes to be an Olympian in this story, passion reigns supreme' CosmopolitanTom Daley captured the hearts of the nation with his unforgettable medal-winning performance in the London 2012 Olympics. At the games in Tokyo, he triumphed to win gold and became the most decorated British diver of all time.In this deeply personal book, Tom explores the experiences that have shaped him and the qualities to which he owes his contentment and success; from the resilience he developed competing at world-class level, to the courage he discovered while reclaiming the narrative around his sexuality, and the perspective that family life has brought him.Candid and perceptive, Coming Up for Air offers a unique insight into the life and mindset of one our greatest and most-loved athletes.

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Book SynopsisOn the fortieth anniversary of the historic Miracle on Ice, Mike Eruzione—the captain of the 1980 U.S Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, who scored the winning goal—recounts his amazing career on ice, the legendary upset against the Soviets, and winning the gold medal.It is the greatest American underdog sports story ever told: how a team of college kids and unsigned amateurs, under the tutelage of legendary coach—and legendary taskmaster—Herb Brooks, beat the elite Soviet hockey team on their way to winning the gold medal at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. No one believed the scrappy Americans had a real shot at winning. Despite being undefeated, the U.S.—the youngest team in the competition—were facing off against the four-time defending gold medalist Russians. But the Americans’ irrepressible optimism, skill, and fearless attitude helped them outplay the seasoned Soviet team and deliver their iconic w

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewShattering records and pushing the sport further than ever before, Nathan is a legend and icon in the figure skating world. — Serena Williams Watching Nathan Chen develop from a young, determined skater to a gold-medal–winning Olympian has been a gift. I have no doubt that the Quad King’s influence on the sport will impact generations to come. — Michelle Kwan The terms Olympic gold medalist and world champion only begin to describe Nathan Chen. He is as impressive, intelligent, and inspirational as any athlete you will come across. We are lucky that after sharing his skating genius with us, he is now sharing his story. — Mike Tirico, Host of NBC Olympics Primetime Blending history-making gold medals and cultural commitment to multicultural communities is all-too-rare: it’s something young generations have come to expect, something that Nathan has always embodied, and something that continues to inspire all of us. — Bing Chen, CEO and Cofounder of Gold House

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A living testament to the adage 'if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,' the Jacobellis story profoundly illustrates the power of striving for self-knowledge in pursuit of an elusive goal. Anyone who has failed but refuses to give up should know Lindsey’s story. One of the most inspirational stories of all time.” — Denise K. Shull, MA, founder and CEO, the ReThink Group, and author of Market Mind Games “[Jacobellis] delivers a variety of relatable family and sports stories, including accounts of the many injuries she endured and numerous years of competitions fueled by dogged, laser-focused perseverance…inspiring…Sure to appeal to fans of Jacobellis as well as the sport.” — Kirkus Reviews “Not only is Lindsey Jacobellis the most decorated snowboarder of all time, but she is a brilliant writer and storyteller. Unforgiving grips your attention from beginning to end, as we learn more about Lindsey’s well-publicized and never-before-told ups and downs—including her incredible double gold medal win at the 2022 Olympics that thrilled the world. Her never-quit attitude will continue to inspire generations to come.” — Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO, U.S. Ski & Snowboard “I know what it’s like to come so close to achieving your goal only to have it slip through your hands. Watching Lindsey pick herself up and fight her way back to not one but two gold medals at the Beijing games was inspiring. It’s easy to smile and wave when you’re on top, but when things go wrong, it’s what you do next that really shows who you are inside. And Lindsey certainly showed us all!” — Shaun White, 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Men’s Snowboarding "The medals that come to you in youth are sometimes easy and expected. The hard part is finding the mindset that allows you to keep competing for the next ten or twenty years, as age and life get in the way. That's the story Lindsey Jacobellis tells in "Unforgiving," covering her journey from an early disappointment all the way to her legendary gold medal runs in Beijing. Lindsey's full throttle energy to never give up will inspire all." — Shaun Palmer “Highly recommended for fans of winter and Olympic sports. Also essential for women’s sports history collections. Winter and extreme sports fans will find this Olympic champion’s resiliency, ability to overcome disappointment, and relationship with her family inspiring.” — Booklist “Olympic gold medalist Jacobellis traces the arc of her snowboarding career in this inspiring ode to self-forgiveness….This forthright account of Jacobellis’s rebound. . .should win her new admirers.” — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisDescribing a range of protest activities preceding and surrounding the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, Games of Discontent shines light on the world during a politically transformative time when discontents were able, for the first time, to globalize their protests.Trade Review"Thoroughly enjoyable and well-researched, this book provides wonderful insight into the full gamut of contentious politics surrounding the 1968 Olympics Games. Blutstein's account is filled with colour and verisimilitude, drawing together forms of resistance and protest from the anti-Apartheid movement to the black power salute, and from Czechoslovak opposition to the '68 Soviet invasion to the Tlatelolco massacre. Games of Discontent is well worth a read." Peter Gardner, University of York"Games of Discontent is a fresh and very accessible account of the 1968 Olympics, in all their complexity. Harry Blutstein appraises the interplay between acts of athlete dissent at the Olympic Games and protest movements outside the sports arena. In doing so, he uses a global lens to pinpoint the political and historical forces that helped detonate the explosion of athlete-activism at the 1968 Games. This unflinching analysis of the extended 1968 moment – a key historical conjuncture of politics and sports – helps us understand how sport can be a vital site for political resistance." Jules Boykoff, Pacific University and author of NOlympians: Inside the Fight against Capitalist Mega-Sports in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Beyond"Games of Discontent enriches and enhances our understanding of the Olympic games in Mexico City. [Blutstein] captures the revolutionary mood of the era. He also reinforces the political significance and symbolism of sport, provides further evidence of the IOC's inability to match its moral rhetoric with moral action, and offers more examples of the lamentable words and deeds of its deplorable president, Avery Brundage." Doug Booth, Jane Austen Society for Sports History

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Book SynopsisIt takes just under 10 seconds to run, but to the winner of Athletics' men's 100 metres goes the accolade of 'The Fastest Man on Earth'. This title is updated to include the men's 100 metres final at the Beijing 2008 Games. Each chapter discusses not only the race itself, but also the preliminary rounds, dramas, and controversies.Table of ContentsReports on every Olympic Games men's 100 metres races, won by: Tom Burke (1896), Frank Jarvis (1900), Archie Hahn (1904), Reg Walker (1908), Ralph Craig (1912), Charlie Paddock (1920), Harold Abrahams (1924), Percy Williams (1928), Eddie Tolan (1932), Jesse Owens (1936), Harrison Dillard (1948), Lindy Remingo (1952), Bobby Morrow (1956), Armin Hary (1960), Bob Hayes (1964), Jim Hines (1968), Valeri Borzov (1972), Hasely Crawford (1976), Allan Wells (1980), Carl Lewis (1984 and 1988), Linford Christie (1992), Donovan Bailey (1996), Maurice Greene (2000), Justin Gatlin (2004) and Usain Bolt (2008).

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Book SynopsisTHE STORY BEHIND THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED THE FACE OF BOXING FOREVER, OBE NICOLA ADAMSAt London 2012, Nicola Adams made history when she became the first woman ever to win an Olympic Gold medal for boxing. In Rio 2016, with the nation cheering her on, she did it all over again. Years of relentless training, fundraising and determination have seen Nicola battle through injury, prejudice and defeat to become one of Britain best-loved athletes and an inspiration to all those who are chasing after a seemingly impossible dream. From a leisure centre in Leeds to the Olympic Stadium in Rio, Nicola with her famous smile has become an LGBTQ+ icon and the poster girl for women in sport. This is her story of grit, talent and the real person behind the smile.Nicola is soon to be a contestant on BBC''s Strictly Come Dancing in the show''s first same-sex pairing. ____________________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICOLA:Trade ReviewThe British public don't just admire her, they love her * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe 1936 Olympic Games played a key role in the development of both Hitler's Third Reich and international sporting competition. This volume offers an analysis of Germany's preparations for the Games and the attempts by the Nazi regime to allay the international concerns about Hitler's racist ideals and expansionist ambitions.Trade Review"It's a pleasure to read the work of writers who really know their topic. This collection contains some masterful essays which impress the reader with their depth of information and their balanced judgments. There's real drama here and important questions to ask and answer."--Allen Guttmann, author of The Olympics: A History of the Modern Games"A solid piece of work, the book is served by informative endnotes for each essay and a general bibliographic essay, useful appendix, and serviceable index."--Choice"Includes fascinating treatments of discussions over participation in the Games . . . the result is a well-conceived and well-executed study that greatly increases our knowledge of the domestic conflicts that impacted the various countries' decisions to attend the Winter and Summer Olympics in Hitler's Germany."--H-Net Book Reviews"This most recent addition to the University of Illinois' path-breaking series on sport and society . . . [is] of impressively uniform quality as well as coverage."--Ethnic and Racial StudiesTable of ContentsGermany - the propaganda machine by Arnd Kreuger; United States of America - the crucial battle by Arnd Kreuger; Great Britain - the amateur tradition by Richard Holt; France - liberty equality and the pursuit of fraternity by William Murray; Italy - Mussolini's boys at Hitler's Olympics by Gigliola Gori; Japan - the future in the past by Tetsuo Nakamura; Finland - the promised land of Olympic sports by Leena Laine; Sweden - business as usual by Lars-Olof Wilander; Norway - Germany the Nazis and a small neighbour by Matti Goksjr; Denmark - living with reality by Jrn Hansen; Netherlands - in the shadow of big brother by Andr e Swijtink.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Dyreson's well-written, well-researched book is the first scholarly work to establish the historical origins of American cultural sentiment linking Olympic performance to national importance. . . . Should be commended for its breadth of research and for its critical insights on American sports leaders."--Kevin B. Wamsley, Labour/Le Travail"An excellent addition to the wealth of Olympic literature, most notably the historically based works of Guttmann, and also draws on the multitude of American themes within the Games. Importantly it demonstrates the political use of sport in America."-- Mike Cronin, Sports Historian"An example of the history of ideas applied to the history of sport. . . . A welcome addition to the literature."--Tony Mason, Labour History Review

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Book SynopsisAn essential book for the 21st-century citizen who seeks a lively guided tour of the ancient Greek OlympicsTrade Review'Splendidly captures the excitement, the razzmatazz, the intensity, glamour and squalor of the Ancient Olympics. Packed with anecdotes and intriguing facts, the careful scholarship behind this wonderful little book is presented with gusto.' - Philip Matyszak, author of Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day -- Philip Matyszak“…the book has a true pagan tang and is completely fascinating.”—Duncan Fallowell, Daily Express -- Duncan Fallowell * Daily Express *“…an entertaining and informative read.”—Hertfordshire Life * Hertfordshire Life *“Forget London 2012. Want to know what it was like to attend the Olympics 2,400 years ago? Then pick up a copy of Neil Faulkner’s A Visitor’s Guide to the Ancient Olympics. Written in the style of a travel guide, the book tells you everything you would want to know—including how to get there, where to stay, and what to eat—about attending the Olympics in 388 B.C.” —Jason Zasky, Failure Magazine -- Jason Zasky * Failure Magazine *“A Visitor's Guide to the Ancient Olympics should appeal to a broad set of readers.”—N.S. Gill, About.com -- N.S. Gill * About.com *“[Faulkner writes] with great vim and panache.”“Into and around his descriptions of the Olympic events Faulkner contrives to weave very skilfully indeed a rich texture of social, economic, political – in a word, cultural – history. Yale University Press have produced an attractively illustrated volume in a handy, pocketable format: just the thing to take with you to the beach volleyball in Horse Guards Parade this July, perhaps.”—Paul Cartledge, BBC History Magazine -- Paul Cartledge * BBC History Magazine *“A neat idea, stylishly executed.”—Independent i * Independent i *“Walk for days and miles along treacherous roads in the heat of the summer. Fight crowds of thousands for a place to camp. Search for water. And, by all means, try to steer clear of the fetid trash and waste that breed disease all around you. (Read: no trash cans and no toilets.). These are the conditions described in archaeologist Neil Faulkner’s new book A Visitor’s Guide to the Ancient Olympics, a manual for any would-be Games-goer in ancient Greece . . . Ultimately the ancient Olympics were more of an epic frat party full of booze and sex than a prestigious sporting competition, and Faulkner paints that picture well.”—Moira E. McLaughlin, The Washington Post -- Moira E. McLaughlin * The Washington Post *"Written in the style of a chatty tourist guide, it offers a beguiling glimpse into a largely alien world, vibrant but chaotic."—Good Book Guide * Good Book Guide *“A Visitor’s Guide to the Ancient Olympics is a lively, thoroughly researched account of a spectacle perhaps best appreciated from a distance.”—Bill Littefield, WBUR -- Bill Littefield * WBUR’s “It’s Only a Game” *“A Visitor's Guide to the Ancient Olympics (Yale University Press)[offers], a funny, fascinating way of learning about ancient Greece, its religious and social attitudes, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. It is jauntily written as a true guidebook, with hints on how to get the most out of your visit, so this is history written in an amusing and accessible form. “—Rob Hardy, The Columbus Dispatch -- Rob Hardy * The Columbus Dispatch *“The author takes us 2,400 years back to the heyday of the city-state of Olympia. . . A time-travel guide at its best, this book reconstructs the sights, sounds and smells of the events as it conveys the excitement of the games.”—Svetlana Grobman, The Columbia Daily Journal -- Svetlana Grobman * The Columbia Daily Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe lost memoir of Britain’s first Black Olympic medal winner—and the America he discoveredTrade Review“A fascinating historical document, Harry Edward had a sharp eye and an ever-busy pen. Unfailingly frank, humorous, always dignified and empathetic, Edward describes a world in flux, as seen by a Black hero no-one really knows about – and everyone should.”—Hugh Muir, Writer and Editor at the Guardian “The celebration of Britain’s first Black Olympic medallist would merit its own narrative, but that was just the beginning of Harry Edward’s race through life. His story deserves to be told and his experiences should remind us all that we are all equal both in and out of the sporting arena.”—Steve Cram, British Track and Field Athlete “Harry was empowered by his Olympic experience and truly lived the Olympic values. He fought injustice and for inclusion wherever he went. His story is an inspiration to us all and is as relevant today as it was fifty years ago.”—Joël Bouzou OLY, World Olympic Association President “Harry Edward tells the story of a man who fought for justice in the United States – and the world over. His was truly an Olympic spirit.”—Katherine Mooney, author of Isaac Murphy “Such a beautiful, engaging, fascinating book – and to think we had it here at the Amistad Research Center all this time. When I Passed the Statue of Liberty I Became Black is a wonderful contribution to the fields of sports and history. Kudos to Neil Duncanson for getting this memoir out into the world where it belongs.”—Lisa Moore, Amistad Research Center

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Book SynopsisOlympic Laws: Culture, Values, Tensions is the first book to analyse fully the Olympic legal framework and its application to the IOC and the Olympic Games through a socio-legal lens. It opens up a new window into understanding the Olympic Games across recent iterations of the Games and on to future Games.The book begins by defining the parameters of the emergent legal sub-fields of Sports Law, lex Olympica and Olympic Law, through the identification of the sources of these Olympic Laws and their underpinning norms. It then uses a series of case studies to demonstrate how lex Olympica has evolved as a means of defending the Olympic Movement from unwanted legal interventions, how Olympic Law has been created to protect the commercial rights vested in the Games, and how the legacies created by this unique category of law have a lasting impact on host cities and beyond. It concludes with a call that the IOC should recalibrate its relationships with prospective hoTable of Contents1. The Olympics: Culture, Values, Tension 2. The Curious Case of the IOC and the Creation of Olympic Law 3. Income and Earnings at the Olympic Games 4. Freedom of Expression and the Olympics 5. Recalibrating the Olympics: Misplaced Leverage and a Relational Turn?

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Book SynopsisAthletics and politics collide in a critical event for Nazi Germany and the contemporary world.

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Book SynopsisAthletics and politics collide in a critical event for Nazi Germany and the contemporary world.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe Olympic movement, including the relevant records and statistics, provides a unique prism to understand the complex evolution of modern Indian society. Drawing on hitherto unused archival sources, this book examines the relations between India's place in the Olympic movement and the country's quest for a national and international identity.Trade ReviewPraise for the Indian edition:"This book is a triumph of Olympic proportions for both authors and the publisher and is worthy of a gold medal on its own." The New Indian Express"The Games to India have been about more than just sporting glory. Nationalism, factionalism, corruption –India’s Olympic efforts have had it all. Majumdar and Mehta’s narrative is as much about the Olympics’ place in India as it is about India’s place in the Olympics….The content alone earns the book its place on any sports fan’s bookshelf." Business World"An eloquent narration laced with rare anecdotes that makes it immensely readable…The wealth of previously unused archival sources is the strength of the book. Laudable for having picked up a subject hitherto untouched, the book proves that you have to study social histories of sport as a whole rather than as a history of cricket, football or Olympics." The Hindu"Replete with little known, lively and telling details presented in an enchanting manner…[It] by virtue of its depth, dimension and erudition opens up fresh debates and numerous areas of research—besides being a delightful read." The Hindustan Times"The spread is excellent, the information marvellous, the interpretation satisfying….This book will be well-cited and, more importantly, will spring a lot more studies to give us even more insight than we have now." Biblio: A Review of BooksTable of ContentsPrologue. 1. Games of Self-Respect: A Colony at the Olympics 2. ‘Everyone Wants a Bite of the Cherry’: The Struggle for Control of Olympic Sports in India 3. The Golden Years: ‘We Climb the Victory Stand’ 4. Hitler’s Games: Captain Dhyan Chand and Indian Nationalism in the Third Reich 5. The ‘National’ Game: Hockey in the Life of Independent India 6. ‘The Fall of Rome’: The Fall and Decline of Indian Hockey 7. ‘The Big Brother of Asia’: Nehruvian India, Sport Diplomacy and a New Order 8. Appu on Television: The 1982 Asiad and the Creation of a New Indian Public 9. When Olympic Sports Lost Out: Cricket, Television and Globalization in India 10. The Army, Indian-ness and Sport: The Nation in the Olympic Ideal 11. Torchbearers of a Billion: India at the Games. Epilogue.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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