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Total Olympics: Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic, and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing by Jeremy Fuchs
dogearedandfurry's review
4.0
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. This was genuinely very interesting for anyone with even a remote interest in sports - so many inspiring, funny, difficult or amazing stories and so many people I’d never heard of before. The only problem I had with this was possibly a result of it being an ARC - many times I’d be part way through a person’s story, and it would suddenly cut off and another “topic” would be inserted (e.g. how the Paralympics originated), and then it would go back to the previous story. It would cut off mid sentence, and I’d have to skip a few pages ahead to finish a paragraph, go back and read the inserted topic, then resume. I think this is just a blip and it wouldn’t be in the final released copy/print hopefully.
sandrareilly513's review
3.0
I have always loved watching the Olympics, so Jeremy Fuchs' Total Olympics was a book I just had to read! I fell in love with the Olympics back in 1992, watching Shannon Miller in a tight run for gold in the women's gymnastics all-around competition. But to be honest, I didn't know much about previous Olympics until reading this book. It was fascinating! First of all, I had no idea that the first modern Olympics originated from a small town in England and featured a pig chase. Or an "old women's" race where the winner received a pound of tea. The popularity of the Wenlock Games then spread across England and just grew from there. Fuchs also goes into the history of the Winter games as well as how tightly the Olympics is weaved together with the economy of each participating and hosting nation -- lots of interesting and eye-opening back stories! The author also goes into a lot of detail about how major events such as the Cold War, refugees, and World War I and II affected the Games, as well as intriguing controversies and side stories such as a figure skating pair winning a medal 50 years after competing, It was also so compelling to read about iconic events that happened before my time, such as the 1968 Podium Protest and the Israeli hostage situation at the 1972 Games. My only complaint is that there are so many events and topics covered that I was left wanting more details for each -- some of them seem almost like a glimpse compared to a few of the earlier chapters that included more history and detail. But otherwise, this was a captivating overview of the many events, historical aspects, Olympic "lore", and interesting tidbits of the Olympic Games that many fans will enjoy.
annieb123's review
5.0
To be published on my blog at release day: Nonstop Reader.
Total Olympics is a comprehensive trivia and history book collected and curated by Jeremy Fuchs. Due out 11th May 2021 from Workman Publishing, it's 336 pages (print version) and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
I love trivia and factoids. My subjects have always been classics, language, science and nature, with modern culture and entertainment a distant fourth place. Sports (for me) was a never-ran. In fact, on my pub trivia team, nobody ever listens to me on the sports questions. I should've committed this book to memory. Journalist sports writer Fuchs has assembled a pretty staggering array of facts and tidbits from Olympic history. The entries are arranged thematically: (forgotten) history, standout legends, wild and strange, firsts, discontinued sports (some real howlers included here), and forgotten heroes. Each of the chapters includes a dizzying array of facts and interludes about olympic games from the past, when and where, who and sometimes why.
The writing is clear and engaging, Mr. Fuchs has a good sense of humor and ties the history together in an entertaining fashion. The book is full of historical photos and facsimiles of documents. There's a very useful collection of medalists by sport, with winners arranged chronologically, in the back of the book. There is, naturally, an index included, to facilitate finding information.
The publication date has been pushed back ostensibly to coordinate with the Tokyo olympic games, in 2021.
Five stars. This is a comprehensive guide, full of useful photos, and very good at its stated purpose.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Total Olympics is a comprehensive trivia and history book collected and curated by Jeremy Fuchs. Due out 11th May 2021 from Workman Publishing, it's 336 pages (print version) and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
I love trivia and factoids. My subjects have always been classics, language, science and nature, with modern culture and entertainment a distant fourth place. Sports (for me) was a never-ran. In fact, on my pub trivia team, nobody ever listens to me on the sports questions. I should've committed this book to memory. Journalist sports writer Fuchs has assembled a pretty staggering array of facts and tidbits from Olympic history. The entries are arranged thematically: (forgotten) history, standout legends, wild and strange, firsts, discontinued sports (some real howlers included here), and forgotten heroes. Each of the chapters includes a dizzying array of facts and interludes about olympic games from the past, when and where, who and sometimes why.
The writing is clear and engaging, Mr. Fuchs has a good sense of humor and ties the history together in an entertaining fashion. The book is full of historical photos and facsimiles of documents. There's a very useful collection of medalists by sport, with winners arranged chronologically, in the back of the book. There is, naturally, an index included, to facilitate finding information.
The publication date has been pushed back ostensibly to coordinate with the Tokyo olympic games, in 2021.
Five stars. This is a comprehensive guide, full of useful photos, and very good at its stated purpose.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
urlphantomhive's review
4.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This would have been right in time for the summer Olympics if they hadn't been postponed to 2021, a book looking back at interesting facts about the previous editions. Filled with some history, some remarkable people who competed in the various sports events, and also some discontinued sports this was a very nice read to get in the mood for Tokyo 2020.
While not everything was new to me, I did find out that the international parking sign (white on blue P) was invented for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, and that initially it had been planned as a two-yearly rather than a four-yearly event.
I just found that the book, clearly marketed for the American market, focused a bit too much on American athletes. Especially chapter two, about the Legends, was at least 90% American where I’m sure there are also ‘legends’ from other countries. In the later chapter ‘Forgotten Heroes’ this is slightly less, but remains prominent still.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This would have been right in time for the summer Olympics if they hadn't been postponed to 2021, a book looking back at interesting facts about the previous editions. Filled with some history, some remarkable people who competed in the various sports events, and also some discontinued sports this was a very nice read to get in the mood for Tokyo 2020.
While not everything was new to me, I did find out that the international parking sign (white on blue P) was invented for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, and that initially it had been planned as a two-yearly rather than a four-yearly event.
I just found that the book, clearly marketed for the American market, focused a bit too much on American athletes. Especially chapter two, about the Legends, was at least 90% American where I’m sure there are also ‘legends’ from other countries. In the later chapter ‘Forgotten Heroes’ this is slightly less, but remains prominent still.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
livruther's review
informative
fast-paced
4.25
This is a super digestible, interesting, and informative book! I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed it! It is a good book that you can just pick up every once in a while and not lose the vibe
beththebookdragon's review
3.0
A well-written and appealing compendium of stories about the organization (or lack thereof), competitors, politics, and other aspects of the many Olympics. Has a wonderful range of stories including quality accounts of competitors of varied ethnicities. Recommended to teen and adult Olympics, sports, history, and sociology fans.
joycerl's review
5.0
Fun facts about the Olympics.
Random obscure facts every Olympic fan would love.
Interesting but not long winded.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC
Random obscure facts every Olympic fan would love.
Interesting but not long winded.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC