Olympic Games Miscellany

by John David Thomas White, Mary Peters (Foreword)

An overarching, inclusive look at one of the world's favorite events: The Olympic Games The Olympic Games is the world's largest sporting extravaganza with athletes from more than 200 countries, more than two dozen sports, all played in less than four weeks. There are hundreds of stories from the Games, stretching back to the end of the 19th century; tales of bravery, misery, joy, and despair, intermixed with thought–provoking lists and records. This book isn't a history book, a biography, an encyclopedia, or a records book, but rather a bit of all of them. All true sports fans will enjoy dipping into these pages and learning about some of the greatest athletes ever to have taken the Olympic Oath.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2008

Reviews

[Michael Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this pocket book in anticipation of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in July-August of this year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Games to be rescheduled in 2021.

If you're into Olympic trivia, this is for you. Lots of information about the Olympic Games from 1896 to 2012, which was yet to happen at the time the book went to press. However, the stories are not arranged in a chronological way and there is a noticeable bias for British and American Olympic champions. The redeeming contents are the description of each Olympic Games held and stories of some Asian and African Olympic champions.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book to read if you want facts, figures and world records from all Olympics from 1896 to 2004.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of bite-sized info. Learned new things about the larger-than-life athletes in the world's premier sporting event.

[Mark Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the 3rd edition. Interesting enough.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting facts, even though it is a miscellany it is kind of jumbled. There were headings for each Olympics but the heading ha nothing to do with the facts in that section. All in all, interesting.