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Product Description
Product Description
The London Olympics of 1908, was intended to reveal Britain and its empire at its zenith. Before the games had ended, almost everything that could go wrong had, the organisers were universally condemned and it had caused a number of international incidents. When squabbling between Rome and Milan as to who should host the Games became too much, they were moved, at the last minute, to London. Two influential, well-meaning but incredibly inefficient English aristocrats picked up the baton and declared that London would show the world how to mount a major international athletics event. The games opened in the pouring rain, which was to continue for the whole two weeks. One country insisted that another country march under it’s banner, yet another country complained that it was under the banner of Britain when it shouldn’t be, and another refused to dip its banner to King Edward causing uproar. Decisions on competitions were questioned, contestants were accused of being professionals, a rival dropped the ‘shot’ of the shot-put on the foot of a competitor and one contestant ended up running a race alone. Amongst the chaos there were some class performances but these were by overshadowed by disputes, back-biting, disqualifications and more, even after it finished two weeks later. Olympic Follies is a superb, entertaining tale of one of the most fascinating, unusual and often hilarious Games ever held – a must for anyone looking forward to the London Olympics of 2012. Graeme Kent is a former BBC producer who has written a number of books on the history of sport, including The Great White Hopes, which was short-listed for the 2005 William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.
About the Author
Graeme Kent is a former BBC producer who has written a number of books on the history of sport, including The Great White Hopes, which was short-listed for the 2005 William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I picked this up after reading about it on the Independent's top sports books of 2008 and recognising the author's name; also, I'm studying the history of London and one module I'm thinking of doing next is on the "Olympic City". So this sounded like it could be an interesting book.
It's clearly a well researched and well written book, with lots of information related in a fairly anecdotal manner, and a comprehensive index and 4 page bibliography (the references aren't cited in relevant sections of the text, but this isn't a textbook after all). I found chapters 11 and 12 on women athletes and the marathon (respectively) quite interesting, as well as the "custom" of shouting "God save the Queen!" at the 24 mile marker. The author makes the convincing point that this was the first major modern Olympics, whereas previous Olympics were largely domestic events and not much more than cursory additions to world fairs, and had a much higher level of international participation - with all the risks of misunderstanding that this could (and did) involve. Perhaps this is what "Cautionary Tale" refers to in the subtitle.
It was well worth the pleasant Sunday afternoon I spent reading it.
It's clearly a well researched and well written book, with lots of information related in a fairly anecdotal manner, and a comprehensive index and 4 page bibliography (the references aren't cited in relevant sections of the text, but this isn't a textbook after all). I found chapters 11 and 12 on women athletes and the marathon (respectively) quite interesting, as well as the "custom" of shouting "God save the Queen!" at the 24 mile marker. The author makes the convincing point that this was the first major modern Olympics, whereas previous Olympics were largely domestic events and not much more than cursory additions to world fairs, and had a much higher level of international participation - with all the risks of misunderstanding that this could (and did) involve. Perhaps this is what "Cautionary Tale" refers to in the subtitle.
It was well worth the pleasant Sunday afternoon I spent reading it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is great sporting history. A detailed yet hilarious account of the first modern Olympiads, when British competitors were elbowed out of races, accused of cheating in the tug-of-war event, had shots dropped on their feet, were attacked in the press, yet still managed to win more than 50 gold medals. Full of anecdotes and unusual details.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a delight, a great blend of sport and social history. Set against the unusual background of the 1908 Olympics it shows how a handful of aristocratic British officials tried to combat the tough, aggressive American contingent of athletes determined to win at all costs. This book is thoroughly researched, very well written and provides an excellent mixture of excitement and hilarity.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Edwardian Olympics
If the 1908 Olympic Games is remembered for anything now, it is probably for the Italian marathon runner who, in a state of near collapse, was helped over the finish line by a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Steven Thompson
White City Chaos
A thoroughly researched, beautifully written study of a fascinating episode of British sporting history. Read more
Published on 6 April 2009 by s. lowrie
A laborious labour of love
The book reads like a labour of love by the author, who has evidently done much research to come up with all the results and anecdotes related to the London 1908 Olympic... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2008 by Arneson Stidgeley
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