Nazi Olympics, The: Berlin 1936: (tagline) United States Holocaust Museum [Hardcover]

Susan D. Bachrach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000 | Age Level: 10 and up

"Here is the story of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin during which the German Nazi Party attempted to turn the Games into a propaganda vehicle for its own political agenda. This fascinating book, based on an exhibit mounted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, tells the story of those infamous Olympics. Profiled are the organizers, the politicians, and most important, the athletes: those who boycotted the games, those who were banned from participating, and those who competed. All these riveting tales are vividly recounted by Susan Bachrach, author of Tell Them We Remember. Using intriguing sidebars and evocative photographs, she brings this iconic event to life in a book that not only will be read avidly this summer as the 2000 Olympic Games take place, but also for years to come."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Published in conjunction with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, this penetrating volume takes a topic dear to many young readers--sports--and uses it to spotlight events leading to WWII. Bachrach (Tell Them We Remember: The Story of the Holocaust) begins with an overview of the modern Olympics, showing readers that the "spirit of the Olympics" was never entirely dissociated from politics (Germany was not invited to participate in the first two Olympics held after WWI). The author then turns to Hitler's assumption of power in 1933, two years after Berlin had been selected as the site of the 1936 Olympics, and documents the Nazis' systematic abrogation of individual rights and liberties. The discussion of the actual 1936 Olympics centers on the political uses made of them by Hitler and his propagandists, the spectacular performance of Jesse Owens notwithstanding (an eight-page color section of posters, both Nazi and anti-Nazi, convincingly demonstrates the relationship between athletic competition and propaganda in Hitler's Germany). Perhaps the most interesting sections cover American responses as political and religious groups and individual athletes considered a boycott of the Olympics; a quick look at Jim Crow laws and American anti-Semitism helps readers place various reactions and decisions in context. The writing is careful and unadorned, the facts laid out for readers to interpret. Plentiful sidebars focus on particular athletes, especially those compromised by Nazi policies. An unusually generous selection of period photos gives the material particular sharpness and immediacy. Ages 10-up. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-This book is based on a special exhibition developed by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that is currently touring the country. It offers not only a history of the notorious Berlin games of 1936, but it also includes the stories of many of the athletes who took part and those who did not for political reasons. Bachrach delves into the workings of the Nazi propaganda machine, the controversy inside the U.S. Olympic Committee as to whether our nation should participate in the games, and the fate of the Jewish athletes who competed. The athletic feats of Jesse Owens and other African Americans are well covered. Illustrations include period black-and-white photographs, cartoons, and posters. The full-color posters at the end of the book do an especially good job of conveying the Nazis' attitudes toward race and their beliefs in the superiority of "Aryan Blood," as well as the techniques of propaganda. An annotated time line of the history of Nazi Germany, suggestions for further reading (mostly adult titles), and a detailed index are appended. A deeper look at the history and the complexities surrounding this notorious Olympics than is found in other books.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316070866
• ISBN-13: 978-0316070867
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Olympics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful!, May 27, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nazi Olympics, The: Berlin 1936: (tagline) United States Holocaust Museum (Hardcover)

This large and attractive book tells the story of the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin. Many Americans have heard of them, though their knowledge is limited to the fact that Jesse Owens, an African-American, won four gold medals, humiliating Adolf Hitler. This book tells the story of those Olympics from the choice of venue in 1931, through the rise of Hitler and National Socialism, the Nazi racial policies, the movement to boycott the games, the Olympics themselves, and finally on to the aftermath of the games and the Holocaust. Following the texts are some wonderful appendices on the chronology of the games, statistics on the 1896-1936 Olympics, and a list of nations participating in the 1936 Olympics. But don't stop there! After the index is collection of in-color reproductions of posters and artwork connected with the 1936 Olympics.

This book is absolutely wonderful! It covers everything you ever wanted to know about the 1936 Olympics, and even quite a few things you never would have thought to ask. Although this book is placed under Ages 9-12 category, it is very informative, and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand those games. I highly recommend this book!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare Book for children: It discusses the negative aspects of making the right decision., March 3, 2011

By 

Kathleen Casey (texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936 (United States Holocaust Museum) (Paperback)

Would you go to the Olympics in 1936? What if you know that the Nazis are up to no good and are passing laws right and left that you as an American or a Western European regard as a violation of human rights? What if you have trained for years? What if you are Negro (as the nomenclature was then)? What if you are Jewish?

Would you encourage or discourage the United States participation in the '36 games? If you speak out against it will you be honored for your moral stand or will you lose your high place on the Olympic committee? If you go to Germany and smooze with the Naziz and come back to the US and reassure everyone they are doing their best and the games will be great, do you go on to disgrace when events prove you a liar, or,at best, a fool?

Was the triumph of the Negro athletes an event marked by humiliation of the Nazi regime or was it more an event of celebration of celebrity athletes by the German people? Was it harder for the Negro athletes to correctly assess the German situation and the Nazi purpose because they, themselves, lived lives dominated by civil restrictions and circumscribed opportunities?

These and many, many more issues are raised in this extrordinary book. On its surface, a highly informative sport's history; it is deeply philosophical and an examination of ethical and moral behavior and its punishments.

It is very, very well written and any child interested in sports will enjoy it. A 7th or 8th grader or a high school student will get the most out of it. And, adults will benefit; especially those born after WW II who were raised to believe that Hitler was humiliated by the Black athletes'triumph. And, for those who are unaware of Avery Brundage and his moral shortcomings, this book pulls back the curtain from his self regard.

Those among us with long years who shuddered at the spectacle mounted by the Chinese in '08 will find this book a sobering reminder of the ugly message behind spectacles demonstrating supurb organization and promotion of national pride.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nazi Olymics, November 25, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936 (United States Holocaust Museum) (Paperback)

The book I read on the Holocaust was called The Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936 by Susan D. Bachrach. This book is about the Olympics held by the Nazis. In this book, it tells about the steps Nazis took to hold the Olympics. It also tells you where exactly the Olympics were held. This book is not a book that actually tells a story, it is a factual book that tells facts and gives you images to describe the facts. Adolf Hitler was head of Germany's Government. In 1931, Berlin was chosen as the site of the 1936 Summer Games. After World War I, Hitler and the Nazi promised a "new Germany" that would give to those many Germans who were fearful to the future. Soon Germany was turned into a police state for "Aryans only". As the year of 1936 came closer and closer with the Olympics, people questioned whether the Olympics should be held in a country whose ideology ran counter to the ideals that inspired to the Games. Many participants questioned the same thing.