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.


New York Times Book Review, 8/13/00
"...keen account of the complex politics that infused the Olympics...illustrated with a rich collection of rare visual material...vivid and telling..."


From Booklist
The story most often told about the 1936 Olympics is that of Jesse Owens' triumphant performance, which served as a slap in the face to Hitler and his theory of Aryan supremacy. Bachrach looks deeper than this feel-good interpretation to trace the troubled path of the games both in the U.S. and Germany, examining the escalating oppression of Jews, the building of the concentration camps, and U.S. efforts to start a boycott. Bachrach ties those threads together into a comprehensive narrative that provides the right amount of political background to tell the complete story of the games and their athletes--those who competed, those banned from competition, those later murdered in concentration camps, and those who took part in the boycott. Enriched with biographical sidebars and illustrated with photographs from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, this is a welcome addition to any sports or World War II collection. Chronology; further readings. Randy Meyer


From Kirkus Reviews
paper 0-316-07087-4 In straightforward style, this richly illustrated book unfolds the portentous events of the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Bachrach focuses on the controversy surrounding America's participation in these Olympics, especially the failed attempt to boycott the games. She relates a brief but vivid account of the Nazi persecution of the Jews, and provides perspective on the US's contemporaneous discrimination against blacks. Noting that many believe Jesse Owens's success caused the Olympics to backfire on an embarrassed Hitler, Bachrach suggests that the Berlin Olympics actually were a tremendous propaganda success for the Nazis, reinforcing their power in Germany and enhancing their economic standing in Europe. She leaves readers to wonder if participation was the correct choice. The book ends by relating the fates of Olympic athletes who died in the Holocaust. Short chapters, abundant photographs, and anecdotes of athletes who participated in the games, boycotted them, or suffered discrimination, propel the narrative forward. The book is an excellent introduction to Holocaust studies; through sports, readers may find a way meaningful into this vast subject. (chronology, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
"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."

ANNOTATION

Recounts the story of the Olympics held in Berlin in 1936, and how the Nazis attempted to turn the games into a propaganda tool for their cause.

SYNOPSIS

Enriched with biographical sidebars and illustrated with photographs from U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, this is a welcome addition to any sports or World War II collection.

FROM THE CRITICS

New York Times Book Review - (8/13/00)

...keen account of the complex politics that infused the Olympics...illustrated with a rich collection of rare visual material...vivid and telling...

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 Cahners Business Information.|

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

The 1936 Berlin Olympics gave Adolf Hitler an opportunity to show off his "new Germany." Olympic visitors saw clean streets, colorful posters, specially published Olympic newspapers, and beautiful, new athletic facilities. Germany spent three years preparing for the games. Had the proposed United States boycott occurred, the Nazis would have been humiliated. But Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe would not have had their glorious victories. Bachrach does a nice job of presenting all the issues of this controversial Olympics. Information about individual athletes is provided along with a good overview of the political climate. This well-written text provides fodder for an intriguing debate topic: should the United States have boycotted the 1936 Olympics? The subject also invites comparison to the 1980 Olympics when President Carter decided not to send a U.S. team to the Soviet Union. Generously illustrated with black and white archival photographs, this book will give readers lots to ponder visually and mentally. 2000, Little, Brown, & Company, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf—Children's Literature

Children's Literature - Children's Literture

The 1936 Berlin Olympics gave Adolf Hitler an opportunity to show off his "new Germany." Olympic visitors saw clean streets, colorful posters, specially published Olympic newspapers, and beautiful, new athletic facilities. Germany spent three years preparing for the games. Had the proposed United States boycott occurred, the Nazis would have been humiliated. But Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe would not have had their glorious victories. Bachrach does a nice job of presenting all the issues of this controversial Olympics. Information about individual athletes is provided along with a good overview of the political climate. This well-written text provides fodder for an intriguing debate topic--should the United States have boycotted the 1936 Olympics? The subject also invites comparison to the 1980 Olympics when President Carter decided not to send a U.S. team to the Soviet Union. Generously illustrated with black-and-white archival photographs, this book will give readers lots to ponder visually and mentally. 2000, Little Brown & Company, Ages 10 up, $22.95 and $14.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf

VOYA