"A major achievement'
Michael Burleigh, author of The Third Reich
The 1936 Berlin Olympics brought together athletes, politicians, socialites, diplomats, journalists, soldiers, novelists and artists from all over the world. They convened in the heart of the German Reich in grandstands and glittering parties, unaware that on their next encounter they would be brandishing machine guns.
Behind the scenes, the Berlin Olympics were a dress rehearsal of the horrors of the forthcoming conflict. Hitler had secretly determined that the Games would showcase Nazi prowess, and the unwitting athletes found themselves to be helpless pawns in his sinister political game.
From the remarkable tableau of the Games themselves, Walters stretches this story across the broad canvas of the 1930s. With brilliant narrative flair he brings thrillingly alive a momentous yet little explored set piece of Nazi history.