A HISTORY OF THE OLYMPICS

In chronological, orderly fashion, the evolution of the Summer Games is laid out, from its modern inception in Athens in 1896 through its return to the Greek capital in 2004. Listeners will hear of classic competitions in various sports, pervasive themes, many brief anecdotes, and occasional opinions. Barry Davis announces the history in an enjoyable, breezy manner. Breaks between years are given a few seconds of appropriate music representing that year's Olympics. The only missing component—the Winter Games—could be a separate book; indeed, it would have been too much here. An especially articulate interview with middle-distance runner Sebastian Coe ends the book well. M.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]