The Olympics: Athens to Athens 1896-2004

by Matt Rendell, Michael Johnson (Foreword)

Come the summer 2004, audiences around the world will tune in to watch the most thrilling sports competition of all. Celebrate the momentous Athens homecoming of the Olympic summer games with this definitive, official, and breathtakingly illustrated history.

From the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and the French sports paper, L’Equipe, comes a big, beautiful book that captures the glory and the excitement of all 26 Olympic Games. Featuring more than 600 photographs, many previously unpublished, and introductions by Gold Medalist Michael Johnson and the President of the International Olympic Committee, this magnificent volume draws on an unprecedented wealth of material. Look back at the ancient games, and see how they came to life again in 1896. Meet the athletes (such as Jim Thorpe, Johnny Weissmuller, Jesse Owens, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Olga Korbut) who triumphed in the most important arena of all; tour the stadiums where the battles played out; and delve into the drama behind the scenes. A visual treasure, filled with information to increase viewers’ enjoyment of the world’s largest sporting event.

359 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kate Parr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great idea and fairly well executed history of the Olympics using photos and what seem like contemporary reports from 1896 onwards. The pics are dynamic and the reports betray some interesting views and prejudices from the period. Where the book suffered was first in its editing: so many typos and grammatical errors. sometimes whole sentences out of place. Also what should have been its greatest strength, in being about over 300 different sports was a complete let down. The main focus was consistently on running, gymnastics and swimming, with other smaller articles on other sports around the edges. Earlier this is not so evident and there are some great articles about women's archery and cross-country, but by the 1960s I was getting really bored with the same old pieces on record beating runners and the next new and amazing young Soviet gymnasts. I wanted to see more of the less-well known sports, and I also wish there had been a bit more social context...even by the final Olympics covered in 2000, only have of the events were open to women. Tell us about the emerging women's sports please! I hope eventually they update this and I also hope they even things out a bit, but it was a nice coffee table ramble through a subject that I'm not normally that keen on.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice photos but this book needed a proofreader so badly. There were so many typos and bad labels and words missing and extra words. Lots of the medals were from the wrong year. What a mess.
After over 100 years I was a little bored of athletics, boxing and swimming. There was plenty of gymnastics too but I liked that. Where are the weird sports?
Anyway, interesting but I got so annoyed with the male journalistic style. And it was worse as I assume it was slightly dodgily translated from French.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice overview of the Olympic Games for over a century of its history. Doesn't go into much detail. For each set of Games, it talks about main points and highlights and feelings of the Games, and covers a few athletes. Lots of big photos.

[VaughanPL]

Click here to find it in the catalogue.