Igniting the Flame

America's First Olympic Team

Description

The story of the fourteen men – largely forgotten and never the subject of a full-length book – who created the American Olympic movement by winning eleven gold medals at the first modern Olympics in 1896 in Athens, timed for publication leading up to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2012 Olympics in London.

Reviews

“[T]he little-known story of the 1896 Olympics, the first in 1,500 years…. Reisler weaves a handful of narrative threads…. writes well about the oddities…. [and] skillfully records the cries and struggles attending a nearly miraculous rebirth.” –Kirkus Reviews

“This fun and accessible read is recommended to all coming Olympics watchers interested in putting today’s games in historical perspective. The photographs, appendix of award winners, and notes will add to the reader’s experience.” —Library Journal

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