The First London Olympics: 1908

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book The First London Olympics: 1908 by Rebecca Jenkins, Little, Brown Book Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Rebecca Jenkins ISBN: 9780748131389
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group Publication: August 25, 2011
Imprint: Piatkus Language: English
Author: Rebecca Jenkins
ISBN: 9780748131389
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Publication: August 25, 2011
Imprint: Piatkus
Language: English

In the summer that saw the first successful flight of the Zeppelin, a 140 acre site of scrubland in West London was transformed into the White City, which housed the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition - and a state-of-the-art stadium built to house the first London Olympics. The Olympics were organised by volunteers in just 18 months and at a fraction of the cost of the modern Olympics and yet, just as today, the sport was overshadowed by doping scandals and caused international uproar.

The ferocious competitiveness of a US team dominated by New York Irish Americans led to a succession of 'scandals' culminating in the historic marathon when Italian confectioner baker Dorando Pietri's heroic efforts at the limits of exhaustion so entranced on-lookers that track officials helped him across the finish line.

Coinciding with the 100th Anniversary of the first London Olympics, this delightful social and sporting history - illustrated with over 70 contemporary images - provides a thought-provoking contrast to the forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the summer that saw the first successful flight of the Zeppelin, a 140 acre site of scrubland in West London was transformed into the White City, which housed the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition - and a state-of-the-art stadium built to house the first London Olympics. The Olympics were organised by volunteers in just 18 months and at a fraction of the cost of the modern Olympics and yet, just as today, the sport was overshadowed by doping scandals and caused international uproar.

The ferocious competitiveness of a US team dominated by New York Irish Americans led to a succession of 'scandals' culminating in the historic marathon when Italian confectioner baker Dorando Pietri's heroic efforts at the limits of exhaustion so entranced on-lookers that track officials helped him across the finish line.

Coinciding with the 100th Anniversary of the first London Olympics, this delightful social and sporting history - illustrated with over 70 contemporary images - provides a thought-provoking contrast to the forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games.

More books from Little, Brown Book Group

Cover of the book The Duchess of Windsor by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Zombie Apocalypse! Endgame by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Written In The Stars by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book The Complete Guide to Overcoming Eating Disorders, Perfectionism and Low Self-Esteem (ebook bundle) by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Our Cheating Hearts by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book The Mammoth Book of Urban Erotic Confessions by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Annapurna Circuit by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Spendsmart by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book The Seasonal Cookbook by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book To the Ends of the Earth by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book The Beastly Battles Of Old England by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book These Wonderful Rumours! by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Gently at a Gallop by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book The Compassionate Mind Approach to Beating Overeating by Rebecca Jenkins
Cover of the book Laura's Handmade Life by Rebecca Jenkins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy