Description
Book SynopsisThe definitive sports and social history of the modern Olympic games—by a
New York Times best-selling sportswriter.
A
Boston Globe Best Book of 2016
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Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of 2016
Trade Review"A people’s history of the Olympics. . . . [Goldblatt] has taken on a challenge worthy of a marathoner." -- Mary Pilon - New York Times Book Review
"Goldblatt has a particular eye for how the gung-ho competitiveness of Americans shaped international sport." -- Aram Goudsouzian - Washington Post
"[A] bracingly debunking history. . . . Goldblatt writes about [the Olympics] with all his usual intelligence and social insight." -- David Runciman - Guardian
"[An] outstanding book. . . . Illuminating, erudite, fair-minded and readable." -- Matthew Engel - Financial Times
"A tour de force history of the Olympics in romanticized myth and political reality. . . . Gracefully written and compellingly argued, this is one of the best books of the year and one of the best sports books ever written." -- Kirkus (starred review)
"Highly recommended. . . . [E]xplores the social and political history of the Olympic Games, from Pierre de Coubertin’s neo-Hellenic vision as founder of the IOC to the expensive spectacles of the twenty-first century." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"A magisterial history of the Olympics . . . chronicling classic moments of sporting achievements as well as the Games' significance in international conflicts." -- Publishers Weekly
"[
The Games] makes a significant contribution to sports history." -- Booklist
