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How to Watch the Olympics: The Essential Guide to the Rules, Statistics, Heroes, and Zeroes of Every Sport
The must-have guide to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games
Next summer, millions of Americans will tune into the Olympic Games, the largest and most popular sporting event in the world. Yet while it's easy to be fascinated by agile gymnasts, poised equestrians, and perfectly synchronized swimmers, few of us know the real width of a balance beam, the intricate regulations of dressage, or the origin of those crowd-pleasing legs-in-the-air swimming formations. Luckily, David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton have created this utterly thorough and always fun guide to the rules, strategy, and history of each sport. With witty, detailed descriptions and clever illustrations, How to Watch the Olympics will help anyone grasp handball, archery, wrestling, fencing, and every other Olympic event like a true pro.
Next summer, millions of Americans will tune into the Olympic Games, the largest and most popular sporting event in the world. Yet while it's easy to be fascinated by agile gymnasts, poised equestrians, and perfectly synchronized swimmers, few of us know the real width of a balance beam, the intricate regulations of dressage, or the origin of those crowd-pleasing legs-in-the-air swimming formations. Luckily, David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton have created this utterly thorough and always fun guide to the rules, strategy, and history of each sport. With witty, detailed descriptions and clever illustrations, How to Watch the Olympics will help anyone grasp handball, archery, wrestling, fencing, and every other Olympic event like a true pro.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
15 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
David Goldblatt
77 books98 followersLibrarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
David Goldblatt is a highly experienced sports writer, broadcaster, and journalist. He is the author of The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football (Penguin, 2006), the definitive historical account of the world’s game. He has also written the World Football Yearbook (Dorling Kindersley, 2002), which was published in nine languages and ran to three editions.
As a journalist, he has written for most of the quality broadsheet newspapers including the Guardian, the Observer, the Financial Times, and The Independent on Sunday, as well as for magazines such as the New Statesman and the New Left Review. He is a regular reviewer of sports books for The Independent and The Times Literary Supplement and is currently the sports’ columnist for Prospect magazine.
As a freelance reporter he has worked for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, including producing documentaries on football in Jerusalem and the politics of football in Kenya. He has also appeared on other BBC radio programmes including The World Today, The World Tonight, The Sunday Morning Show, and Africa – Have Your Say.
In addition to his extensive writing and broadcasting career, he has also taught the sociology of sport at the University of Bristol and has run literacy programmes at both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football clubs, as well as teaching sport, film, and media at the Watershed arts cinema, also in Bristol.
David Goldblatt is a highly experienced sports writer, broadcaster, and journalist. He is the author of The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football (Penguin, 2006), the definitive historical account of the world’s game. He has also written the World Football Yearbook (Dorling Kindersley, 2002), which was published in nine languages and ran to three editions.
As a journalist, he has written for most of the quality broadsheet newspapers including the Guardian, the Observer, the Financial Times, and The Independent on Sunday, as well as for magazines such as the New Statesman and the New Left Review. He is a regular reviewer of sports books for The Independent and The Times Literary Supplement and is currently the sports’ columnist for Prospect magazine.
As a freelance reporter he has worked for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, including producing documentaries on football in Jerusalem and the politics of football in Kenya. He has also appeared on other BBC radio programmes including The World Today, The World Tonight, The Sunday Morning Show, and Africa – Have Your Say.
In addition to his extensive writing and broadcasting career, he has also taught the sociology of sport at the University of Bristol and has run literacy programmes at both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football clubs, as well as teaching sport, film, and media at the Watershed arts cinema, also in Bristol.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 15, 2018
I love everything about the Olympics and always watch as much as I physically can, with gymnastics, diving, weightlifting and synchronised swimming being some of my favourite events.
Reading How to Watch the Olympics - An instant initiation into every Olympic sport at Rio 2016 by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton was the perfect preparation and I learned a lot about different sports that I didn't know beforehand.
Set out alphabetically by sport, this handy reference guide was informative without being overwhelming and entertaining with a light sense of humour throughout.
Some tidbits were memorable, like this one from the sport of badminton on page 76:
"The shuttlecock may be mere cork and feathers but struck correctly it can split a watermelon in two."
While enjoying the Olympic footage, I often found myself recalling knowledge from the book: "oh, they don't have to row inside their lanes, they can row across the buoys as long as they don't interfere with anyone else" and "in synchronised swimming they can't touch the bottom of the pool, and the spectacle they put on before they dive into the water is called deckwork which isn't included in the scoring."
How to Watch the Olympics was a great companion for armchair Olympic viewers like me and I'll be sure to have it beside me in 2020 for the Tokyo Olympics.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
Reading How to Watch the Olympics - An instant initiation into every Olympic sport at Rio 2016 by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton was the perfect preparation and I learned a lot about different sports that I didn't know beforehand.
Set out alphabetically by sport, this handy reference guide was informative without being overwhelming and entertaining with a light sense of humour throughout.
Some tidbits were memorable, like this one from the sport of badminton on page 76:
"The shuttlecock may be mere cork and feathers but struck correctly it can split a watermelon in two."
While enjoying the Olympic footage, I often found myself recalling knowledge from the book: "oh, they don't have to row inside their lanes, they can row across the buoys as long as they don't interfere with anyone else" and "in synchronised swimming they can't touch the bottom of the pool, and the spectacle they put on before they dive into the water is called deckwork which isn't included in the scoring."
How to Watch the Olympics was a great companion for armchair Olympic viewers like me and I'll be sure to have it beside me in 2020 for the Tokyo Olympics.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
August 6, 2024
Beetje outdated, maar gelukkig is er ook deze spelen weer een moderne vijfkamp!
June 29, 2012
Well, it's not going to be one of those books that becomes a classic. It's pretty much just good for the next six weeks.
This book focuses on the history of the summer Olympic games (there's no mention of the winter Olympics in here), and provides information on all of the sports...just enough so that the casual viewer has an idea of how each competition works. There's also some almanac facts, like which country has won the most medals in a given event, current record holders,etc.
The authors did a nice job of injecting some British humour into it as well, and included some of the most bizarre details about the games. Stories of roasted doves, less-than-honest judging, and various fights fill out the text.
It's a good way to prepare for the London 2012 games.
This book focuses on the history of the summer Olympic games (there's no mention of the winter Olympics in here), and provides information on all of the sports...just enough so that the casual viewer has an idea of how each competition works. There's also some almanac facts, like which country has won the most medals in a given event, current record holders,etc.
The authors did a nice job of injecting some British humour into it as well, and included some of the most bizarre details about the games. Stories of roasted doves, less-than-honest judging, and various fights fill out the text.
It's a good way to prepare for the London 2012 games.
April 21, 2024
Absolutely necessary, brilliant and essential. How can anyone not love the Olympics, especially that fuzzy feeling you had during childhood with the opening ceremony, even more than the World Cup, you go to bed and you think of this united, happy, peaceful world. You wish for it. You know so many of us are connected with the opening ceremony on Tv. You think of Three Dog Night song Joy to the World.
January 7, 2025
I quite liked the book, giving outline and history of Olympic sports. It does not take you in depth in any of them but gives you basic vocabulary and view of appearance and development of the sport.
August 6, 2012
Is this book out of date already with the 2012 Olympics halfway through?
No. I don't think so. Yes it is focused on the 2012 games but the coverage of each sport is fascinating and worth a read at any time. It is also fun to see if the predictions that are made for each sports were accurate. I will certainly be referring to this book for some time.
I have enjoyed learning some truly weird and wonderful facts about the Olympics, mass brawls, streakers and attacks on referee's are just some of the milder things that have happened over the years! I have started watching sports that I would never have dreamed of before I read this book as well. The points to watch for listed in the book have made it very easy to get involved in the action. However there is nothing that a book that can say that will make me watch football!
Well worth a read. Hurry and get a copy now and you can enjoy the second half of the 2012 Olympics even more than the 1st half!
I only hope that they bring out a version for the Winter Olympics!
No. I don't think so. Yes it is focused on the 2012 games but the coverage of each sport is fascinating and worth a read at any time. It is also fun to see if the predictions that are made for each sports were accurate. I will certainly be referring to this book for some time.
I have enjoyed learning some truly weird and wonderful facts about the Olympics, mass brawls, streakers and attacks on referee's are just some of the milder things that have happened over the years! I have started watching sports that I would never have dreamed of before I read this book as well. The points to watch for listed in the book have made it very easy to get involved in the action. However there is nothing that a book that can say that will make me watch football!
Well worth a read. Hurry and get a copy now and you can enjoy the second half of the 2012 Olympics even more than the 1st half!
I only hope that they bring out a version for the Winter Olympics!
August 8, 2012
I've been an Olympic buff for over 35 years, but I learned lots of interesting facts in this very engaging companion to the Summer Olympics.
November 15, 2019
I'm in the minority of the male population of the world, in that I don't care a jot about sports (work with me) and I think it's fair to say that it's probably just me, the gays and Trappist monks that do not appreciate at least something. I LOVE the WWE and while they pretend to be many things (including progressive and morally sound at times), a sport it is not.
I suppose a large part of this is that I was really shit at PE. I mean, REALLY shit. For one thing, I couldn't wrap my head around why all the activities involving the outdoors were in the Winter and when it was sunny, we would be inside. I especially hated cross country running, because it really was pointless and where I grew up is not a pleasant place to do anything in the snow. Least of all being shouted at by a paedophile in the rain. Rugby as well. I was always the only one who came off the pitch with a clean sports kit. Whether it was anything we did, cricket, football, athletics, I sucked and dropped Games the first chance I got.
That being said, I enjoyed HOW TO WATCH THE OLYMPICS, which is a concise and detailed guide to each discipline and as well as a break breakdown of their rules (I skipped each one), there are some really interesting historical tales of how each sport became to be, clever anecdotes on what happened at some of the different games and profiles some of the extraordinary people who have excelled. And more amusing, some of those characters who failed spectacularly.
Unfortunately though, this book is immediately dated as it was published for the run up to the 2012 Olympics, of which I only watched the opening and closing ceremonies. Now not being at all sport-minded, this didn't particularly concern me. But I imagine it would to those who are, if they picked it up today.
I suppose a large part of this is that I was really shit at PE. I mean, REALLY shit. For one thing, I couldn't wrap my head around why all the activities involving the outdoors were in the Winter and when it was sunny, we would be inside. I especially hated cross country running, because it really was pointless and where I grew up is not a pleasant place to do anything in the snow. Least of all being shouted at by a paedophile in the rain. Rugby as well. I was always the only one who came off the pitch with a clean sports kit. Whether it was anything we did, cricket, football, athletics, I sucked and dropped Games the first chance I got.
That being said, I enjoyed HOW TO WATCH THE OLYMPICS, which is a concise and detailed guide to each discipline and as well as a break breakdown of their rules (I skipped each one), there are some really interesting historical tales of how each sport became to be, clever anecdotes on what happened at some of the different games and profiles some of the extraordinary people who have excelled. And more amusing, some of those characters who failed spectacularly.
Unfortunately though, this book is immediately dated as it was published for the run up to the 2012 Olympics, of which I only watched the opening and closing ceremonies. Now not being at all sport-minded, this didn't particularly concern me. But I imagine it would to those who are, if they picked it up today.
July 22, 2024
I wish this book was updated every four years! It is such an excellent resource if you're thinking "I'd love to get into the Olympics but don't know what to watch." Breaking down the history, tactics, scoring, and factoids of every sport played in the 2012 Olympics, this book is a wealth of information and inspiration. Yes, you can enjoy watching water polo, sailing, cycling, and dressage, because this book outlines exactly what's fun about watching it and how to keep track of what's happening. Such an excellent resource but written with wit and approachability.
August 16, 2024
lugesin tegelt “Olümlia lugu” , viie eesti autori poolt kokku pandud teos, mis sisaldab ülevaateid kõigist toimunud olümpiamängudest. olgem ausad, jatsin mondadesse taliolumpia peatukkidesse suvenemata, see raamat oli niii pikk ja sisukas, aga kindlasti vaga huvitav :)
February 16, 2019
Informative. It can be a stand alone book where you really don’t have to read it straight thru, you can read what different sports interest you. Has facts and tidbits to it.
July 28, 2012
I received this just in time for the London Games and will keep it handy while watching. It's not really for the sports you know something about (e.g., there is a fairly involved didactic bit on what a "slam dunk" is in basketball, as well as the advice in the track and field section to keep an eye on those of West African descent in the sprints and East African in the distance races) but more for getting the rules, some tips, and some history on the rest.
Some very useful bits of info (e.g., apparently in 2001 someone slipped past me a rules change in table tennis such that games are now to 11, not 21), history (I hadn't realized lacrosse used to be in the Games, in 1904 and 1908 -- should be brought back IMO), and what a cynic might call trivia (did you know Sarah Michelle Gellar is a black belt in taekwondo?). Authors' British background is evident in some of the choices of examples to highlight, but they're mostly ecumenical.
Tone is always upbeat, acknowledging what some might find tedious about a particular sport but stressing what you can watch for to make it interesting or admirable. My favorite bit of positive spin was in their discussion of the beleaguered rhythmic gymnastics, specifically the "ball" accessory:
"Surprisingly 'street', the ball exercise combines elements of basketball, freestyle soccer and seal-like joie de vivre" (p. 184)
Continuing the French phrase meme, I'm not sure "street" is the mot juste here, but as that kid who tried to encourage the Miami Heat after a playoff loss would say, "Good job, good effort!"
Some very useful bits of info (e.g., apparently in 2001 someone slipped past me a rules change in table tennis such that games are now to 11, not 21), history (I hadn't realized lacrosse used to be in the Games, in 1904 and 1908 -- should be brought back IMO), and what a cynic might call trivia (did you know Sarah Michelle Gellar is a black belt in taekwondo?). Authors' British background is evident in some of the choices of examples to highlight, but they're mostly ecumenical.
Tone is always upbeat, acknowledging what some might find tedious about a particular sport but stressing what you can watch for to make it interesting or admirable. My favorite bit of positive spin was in their discussion of the beleaguered rhythmic gymnastics, specifically the "ball" accessory:
"Surprisingly 'street', the ball exercise combines elements of basketball, freestyle soccer and seal-like joie de vivre" (p. 184)
Continuing the French phrase meme, I'm not sure "street" is the mot juste here, but as that kid who tried to encourage the Miami Heat after a playoff loss would say, "Good job, good effort!"
July 30, 2012
A great companion to have at your side during the London Olympics, I'm glad I read this one (mostly) prior to the Games, since it really has gotten me pumped to watch every single kind of sport at the Olympics this year. I think this book's greatest success is that it can get you interested in some of the lesser known sports, like archery, equestrianism, or the wild combination of events that take place in the modern pentathlon.
It was organized well, and I liked the fact that it included not only the basics and history of each game, but the finer subtleties of each sport and why one should watch each. The Olympics on TV does a great job of showcasing everything, but oftentimes they give little background or information about the sports, so this is a very useful book to keep around during the games. For the first time in my lifetime I'm actually psyched to watch the Olympics, so I give this book a great rating.
It was organized well, and I liked the fact that it included not only the basics and history of each game, but the finer subtleties of each sport and why one should watch each. The Olympics on TV does a great job of showcasing everything, but oftentimes they give little background or information about the sports, so this is a very useful book to keep around during the games. For the first time in my lifetime I'm actually psyched to watch the Olympics, so I give this book a great rating.
July 23, 2012
A handy guide especially since the summer games include so many sports and variations of those sports. I enjoyed the history lesson on every sport along with the unique tales. The recap of previous games at the back could have been a bit more detailed but was interesting. As a Canadian I did find it odd that the authors repeatedly made mention of Michael Johnson's world record 200m race in 1996 in Atlanta yet no mention of Canada's Donovan Bailey doing the same in the 100m that year yet the authors focused on that race when recapping many other games. In fact there's very little in this book about Canadian athletes or performances which isn't surprising as we are hardly a summer powerhouse but there are several mentions of Ben Johnson and a bit on Simon Whitfield who was actually just chosen as our London flag bearer. I will call upon this book during the games, no doubt.
October 19, 2016
So I wanted to be a little more informed about all the various sports I’d be seeing this summer. This book had nice descriptions of each of them, including what to watch for to judge competitors’ skill and histories of the events. Best was the extensive chapter on athletics from the ancient games to now; I knew about Leonidas of Rhodes before he was cool. Two main problems with the book: it was written looking forward to the 2012 Olympics, and not updated for this one so all the stuff on individual competitors was obsolete and it doesn’t seem likely to be updated for 2020. With that in mind I can't recommend that anyone else buy it. Also NBC only ever decided to show me water polo, volleyball and beach volleyball along with athletics and swimming so most of the crap I read about I never experienced. Oh well!
August 21, 2012
This was a great guide to the 2012 Summer Olympics. I referenced it often while watching the different sports that I really was not familiar with (handball, water polo, ect.). It was fun to be able to jump around in the sections, learn about the history of the sport, team rivalries, and the meaning behind the way in which the games are organized. I surprisingly marked up the book (I don't think I have ever written in a non-textbook before) with the metal standings and particular athletes that I was consistently following (ex Misty & Karri). Looking forward to getting the Winter Olympics version, I honestly don't know if Goldblatt is writing one but I sure hope he does.
July 23, 2012
I really liked the format: all sports are listed alphabetically and within each sport there are sections on why you should watch this sport, its story, the basics, the finer points, how it went to the olympics plus some interesting stories of famous personalities. Some of the sports should be very entertaining, but to be honest, the summer olympics don't hold my interest.
I would love to see a similar book for the WINTER olympics. That would be awesome.
I noted two glaring editing mistakes. Not a big deal but i was surprised as they really stood out.
I would love to see a similar book for the WINTER olympics. That would be awesome.
I noted two glaring editing mistakes. Not a big deal but i was surprised as they really stood out.
August 1, 2012
My husband became annoyed with me because I was yelling out interesting factoids from the bedroom every two minutes. An entertaining and fascinating read for any lover of sports, the Olympics, and/or trivia.
August 24, 2012
I loved this sporting alamanac. I chose to read it whilst doing my voluntary stint for the London Olympicsmand really enjoyed the way it was laid out. Although I knew much of the anecdotal content, I still appreciated the way the book was constructed. Highly recommended.
August 27, 2012
Lovely overview of the sports in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Great synopses and demystification of the more esoteric events, a great explanation of the ceremonies, and an essential guide to retired events. Hopefully a similar tome will be written for the Winter Games.
September 21, 2012
This book doesn't get everything right. However, there's enough that is to allow one to understand a new sport, as well as to find new appreciation of an old favorite. I shall consider future editions to be indispensible for future Games.
June 15, 2012
This book is awesome! Part history, part wacky facts, part fun memories of many past Olympics. As an Olympics junky I adored this book and the fun it brought with it!
August 14, 2012
Finished it one week before the Olympics, learned a lot and could read through the Olympic news with understanding.
July 24, 2012
Chock-full of facts, stats, and stories I never knew behind the summer Olympics. I hope they make one for the winter, too!
July 27, 2012
Getting ready for the big games! This is an informative book with information about each event, including rules and history. I'll keep it on my Kindle so I can refer to it during The Games.
August 16, 2012
Very interesting. Concise explanation of rules and history of the various Olympic sports. Loved the stick figure drawings!
August 19, 2012
Some very handy information! Rules and facts on every Olympic sport, plus other stuff!
July 26, 2012
I didn't actually read this whole book, but instead used it as a reference for the sports I enjoy watching. Great book with lots of facts on past olympics and easy to understand explanations.
September 1, 2012
This was a good book to have around when watching the Olympics. What I really liked were the fun facts and historical trivial throughout.
August 18, 2012
Bought this last minute.I liked this...a great help to understanding the Olympic sports
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews