ISBN10: 184513334X, ISBN13: 9781845133344, [publisher: Aurum Press Ltd, London] Hardcover First Edition First edition, first impression with full number line. Very very minor edge wear to top of spine, not price clipped (£18.99), no inscriptions, internally clean tight and square, overall a vg++ copy, looks unread. 350pp, illustrated. The recent extravaganza of the 2012 London Olympic Games could not be further from the realities of the 1948 'Ration Book Olympics' which took place with London a bombed out ruin and Britain in deep economic crisis. The resulting games were not only an amazing achievement in terms of organisation, thrift and invention - being the most successful, inexpensive and unpretentious games of the 20th century - but also something for the world to celebrate following the long years of war and strain. After the cynical 1936 Berlin Games, 1948 was a triumph of the Olympic spirit and fair play, when the countries' finest athletes joined together to compete and entertain despite the burgeoning cold war and niggling old disputes. This is a fascinating look at an extraordinary event which was for and by the people. Entertaining, revelatory and hugely readable, the book is full of first hand interviews, hilarious anecdotes, and great spirited feats. Here we meet not only the famous names (Fanny Blankers-Koen and Emil Zapotek) but also hear the experiences of all who were involved from tea ladies, through postmen, to locals and ...

ISBN10: 184513334X, ISBN13: 9781845133344, [publisher: Aurium Press Ltd, London, UK] Hardcover First Edition First edition. First printing. Printing series number 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Jacket not price clipped.
[Isle of Wight, United Kingdom] [Publication Year: 2008]