A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern TimesFrom the barefoot races of 8th century BC to the underwater obstacle courses in the early 20th century to the high-tension Berlin Games preceding World War II, the Olympics have always been exciting dramas of athletic prowess and human interest. In A Passion for Victory, award-winning author Benson Bobrick tells the details of the captivating story of the Olympic Games, starting with their inception in Ancient Greece. This wonderfully readable narrative is rich with anecdotes and profiles of athletes and weaves in important historical events to create a complete picture of each installment of the Games. This thorough account of an international fixation is gripping, poignant, and occasionally hilarious. |
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A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern ... Benson Bobrick No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
1936 SUMMER OLYMPICS African Americans ancient Greek Ancient Olympic Games began Berlin Games bout boxer Britain Brundage century BC chariot race coach compete competition contests Cotswold Games Coubertin crowd discus throw festival fighting film Finland flag footrace France Games are held German gold medal Gold Silver Bronze Greece gymnast Hitler honor host nation Hungary Ibid Italy Japan javelin throw Jesse Owens Jewish Jews King long jump Luz Long marathon Milo of Croton modern Olympics Naked Olympics named Nation Gold Silver Nazi Odyssey official Olym Olympia Olympic champion Olympic Oath Olympic Village Olympics are held OLYMPICS Rank Nation opponent Panathenaic Stadium pankration pentathlon Perrottet Pierre de Coubertin Rank Nation Gold Riefenstahl Roman runner Russian Silver Bronze Total Spivey sprinters Stoller Summer Games Sweden swimming Switzerland Tarzan Temple of Zeus tennis tion Total 1 United track and field victory Weissmuller Wenlock Winter Games Winter Olympics wrestling