Olympic Games History

Renowned sportswriter David Goldblatt has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal for writing "with the expansive eye of a social and cultural critic". In The Games, Goldblatt delivers a magisterial history of the biggest sporting event of them all: the Olympics. He tells the epic story of the games from their reinvention in Athens in 1896 to the present day, chronicling classic moments of sporting achievement from Jesse Owens to Nadia Comaneci, the Miracle on Ice to Usain Bolt.

While they are still well-known, the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece are more relevant today than most people know, and the ways in which athletic sports pervade contemporary culture is comparable only to the spirit of athleticism in Hellenic Greece. Today, a large section of the media industry is devoted exclusively to sports, and in some nations sports even figures as a critical component of their identity.

From “the master of new journalism [who always] hits it over the fence” (The New York Times) and “one of the finest writers on sports anywhere” (USA TODAY), the scintillating story of lacrosse—the game invented by the Haudenosaunee, played with more passion than any other, that...

Trace an epic sports history where the pursuit of global peace collides with the fierce reality of political power. Perfect for an educational commute or an inspiring workout, this tense, reflective journey explores how a sacred ancient Greek ritual evolved into earth's most-watched spectacle...

Trace the dramatic evolution of sports history from sacred ancient Greek rituals to intense modern geopolitical rivalries. Perfect for an inspiring daily commute, this sweeping narrative explores how a fragile truce in a violent world became a massive cultural spectacle. Experience the...

The Olympic Games have become the single greatest festival of a universal and cosmopolitan humanity. Seventeen days of sporting competition watched and followed on every continent and in every country on the planet. Simply, the greatest show on earth. Yet when the modern games were inaugurated...

Ancient Greece gave the world democracy, philosophy, theater, medicine, and some of history’s most impressive architecture. It also gave us naked athletes, vindictive gods, cursed tablets, suspicious birds, wandering wombs, drunken philosophers, and politicians who occasionally voted to exile someone simply because they were tired of hearing his name. In Strange But True: The Weird History of Ancient Greece, discover the bizarre stories hiding behind the polished marble statues. Meet Zeus as he transforms into bulls, swans, birds, and whatever else seemed useful at the time. Enter the ...

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent late 1960s and early 1970s, this compelling audiobook provides the first comprehensive history of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, notorious for the abduction of Israeli Olympians by Palestinian terrorists and the hostages' tragic deaths after a botched rescue mission by the German police. Drawing on a wealth of newly available sources from the time, eminent historian David Clay Large explores the 1972 festival in all its ramifications.

*"Rivaling the nonfiction works of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat....Even readers who don't appreciate sports will find this story a page-turner." --School Library Connection (starred review) "An insightful, gripping account of basketball and bias." --Kirkus...

Unearth the secrets of ancient history and Greek mythology by exploring a lost wonder that once ruled antiquity. Transform your daily commute into an awe-inspiring armchair travel experience through vibrant sanctuaries of the past. This immersive journey resurrects a colossal masterpiece...

One of the world’ s most well-known and respected athletes, Roger Federer has had a career that ranks among the most celebrated and successful in all of tennis history. This entertaining and illuminating chronicle of Federer’ s trophy-laden journey is unique for its day-by-day format: every day of the calendar year is presented with a corresponding bit of fact, trivia, or an anniversary, including hallmark victories, statistics, quirky happenings, and quotations. Fans of a player widely considered the greatest of all time as well as sports fans in general will get to know the 20-time ...

The Olympic Games have become the single greatest festival of a universal and cosmopolitan humanity. Seventeen days of sporting competition watched and followed on every continent and in every country on the planet. Simply, the greatest show on earth. Yet when the modern games were inaugurated...

'Absolutely loved it' - Damian Hughes, High Performance podcast Inside the murky world of doping in sport, uncovering how the cheats keep one step ahead of the authorities and what drives them to do so. Some of the most iconic and revered athletes in history have been handed bans when at the...

Bloomsbury presents Va-Va-Voom by Tom Williams, read by Luis Soto. ‘Excellent' – Simon Kuper, author of the bestselling FOOTBALL AGAINST THE ENEMY ‘The definitive story of how French football came of age’ – Christian Karembeu THE PLAYERS, THE TEAMS, THE GOALS, THE GAMES, THE SCANDALS...

From the New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside comes the inspirational true story of the birth of women’s Olympic basketball at the 1976 Summer Games and the ragtag team that put US women’s basketball on the map. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown. A...

🎉 Step Up to the Plate, Hit a Slam Dunk, and Score Big Laughs with the Ultimate Sports Flashback! Do you remember when sports heroes were larger than life, and the halftime show was a bathroom break—not a concert? When the crack of a wooden bat or the roar of a vintage muscle car was the soundtrack of summer? If you grew up anywhere near the golden age of sports—or just love a good stroll down memory lane—this is the trivia book you’ve been waiting for! Introducing THE ULTIMATE BABY BOOMERS’ SPORTS TRIVIA QUIZ BOOK—a nostalgic, side-splitting, and brain-boosting ride through ...

Unveiling the Heart of Paris: Are You Ready to Discover Its Magic? Do you dream of wandering the romantic streets of Paris, but feel overwhelmed by the planning? Have you ever wished for a guide that not only explores the iconic sights but also unveils the city's hidden gems? Sierra Quest crafts the ultimate companion for your journey through Paris in "The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations: Timeless Sightseeing in Paris, The Captivating City of Light." Why this guidebook is indispensable for your Paris adventure: Comprehensive Practical Tips: From visa requirements to ...

Step into the ancient history of the first Olympic Games, where brutal athletic combat collides with sacred ritual. Perfect for an engaging daily commute, this visceral audio journey transports you to the dust-choked roads of a fractured Greece. Experience the roar of the crowds and the smoke of...

Bloomsbury presents The Obree Way by Graeme Obree, read by David Monteath ‘A must-read book to make you faster on the bike’ – Cycling Weekly ‘Graeme Obree is genius in the true sense of the word’ - Sir Chris Hoy, multiple Olympic cycling champion A fully updated edition of twice world...

Naked athletes, an olive-wreath grand prize, and a marathon "winner" who rode in a car — the Olympics like you've never heard them. Forget the highlight reel. Olympic Tales is a treasure chest of the strangest, funniest, and most jaw-dropping facts, secrets, and scandals from nearly 3,000 years of the Games — from Ancient Greece all the way to today. Perfect for curious kids ages 8–12, and a fun countdown read before the Olympics come to Los Angeles in 2028. Did you know… Ancient Greek athletes competed completely naked — and the prize wasn't gold but a wreath of wild olive leaves...