Georgetown Peabody Library

Triumph, the untold story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics, Jeremy Schaap

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-256) and index

individual biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Triumph

bibliography

71126717

Jeremy Schaap

the untold story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics

In 1936, against a backdrop of swastikas flying and storm troopers looming, an African-American son of sharecroppers set three world records and won an unprecedented four gold medals, single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy. The story of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympic Games is that of a high-profile athlete giving a performance that transcends sports--but it is also the intimate and complex tale of the courage of one remarkable man. From the start, American participation in the games was controversial--a boycott attempt was thwarted by the president of the American Olympic Committee. Owens was befriended by a German rival, who helped Owens win the gold medal at his own expense; two Jewish sprinters were, at the last moment, denied the chance to compete for the United States out of misguided politeness to the Nazi hosts; and a myth was born that Hitler himself had snubbed Owens.--From publisher description

Prologue -- A day to remember -- Out of Alabama -- Vincible -- Heelbones and a new start -- The judge and the millionaire -- "We are with you, Adolf" -- A blessing in disguise -- Jew kills Nazi -- A friend and a foe felled -- Olympic trials -- Olympia -- The belle of the ball -- The battle tent of some great emperor -- The youth of the world -- Day one -- Day two -- Day three -- He flies like the Hindenburg -- The relay -- Epilogue