Discusses the intended and actual meaning of the modern Olympic Games
Politics has always been an integral part of the Olympics. This title discusses the intended and actual meaning of the modern Olympic Games, from 1896 to 2000. It demonstrates that the modern games were revived to propagate a political message and continue to serve political purposes.
The classic account of the modern Olympic movement
This second edition of Guttmann's critically acclaimed history discusses the intended and actual effects of the modern Olympic Games from 1896 to 2000. The glories and fiascoes, the triumphs and tragedies--Guttmann weaves them all into a vivid and entertaining social history. As Guttmann shows, politics has always been one of the Olympics' major events. He also delves into the colorful history of the athletics, from the Paris marathon course that invited French runners to take shortcuts to the odyssey of Egyptian gym teacher Youssef Nagui Assad, who made three different Olympic teams only to be recalled home each time due to boycotts. Guttmann also provides insight into the byzantine maneuvering involved in site selection, as well as little known facts about the Games' history and figures like longtime Olympics czar Avery Brundage.
“"Guttmann is an excellent scholar, and his bibliographical essay remains an excellent source material for research." -- Choice"In a thoroughly revised and updated study, [Guttmann] traces the history of the modern Olympics from 1896 to 2000, contrasting the ideal of the game with the often politicized reality." -- Books and More for Growing MindsREVIEWS from the 1st edition:"Here is a book that is as readable as it is profound, casting a majestic sweep over the Games from 1896." -- G. E. Murray, Sporting Traditions"A wonderfully insightful, judicious, and interpretative essay."-- Steve Gietschier, Sporting News"Guttmann, one of the finest historians of sport in the United States and Europe, and a recognized authority on the Olympics, has produced a sound, readable narrative that will appeal to scholars as well as to general readers." -- Randy Roberts, co-author of Winning Is the Only Thing: Sports in America since 1945”
"Guttmann is an excellent scholar, and his bibliographical essay remains an excellent source material for research." -- Choice "In a thoroughly revised and updated study, [Guttmann] traces the history of the modern Olympics from 1896 to 2000, contrasting the ideal of the game with the often politicized reality." -- Books and More for Growing Minds REVIEWS from the 1st edition: "Here is a book that is as readable as it is profound, casting a majestic sweep over the Games from 1896." -- G. E. Murray, Sporting Traditions "A wonderfully insightful, judicious, and interpretative essay." -- Steve Gietschier, Sporting News "Guttmann, one of the finest historians of sport in the United States and Europe, and a recognized authority on the Olympics, has produced a sound, readable narrative that will appeal to scholars as well as to general readers." -- Randy Roberts, co-author of Winning Is the Only Thing: Sports in America since 1945
Allen Guttmann, a professor of English at Amherst College, is the author of Women's Sports, Games and Empires, From Ritual to Record: The Nature of Modern Sports, and other books. He received the first President's Award for Sports Studies from the International Olympic Committee.
This second edition of Guttmann's critically acclaimed history discusses the intended and actual effects of the modern Olympic Games, from 1896 to 2000, recounting the memorable and significant athletic events of the Olympics in terms of their social and political impact.
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