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

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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!

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.

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.