Olympic Gold 1936: How the Image of Jesse Owens Crushed Hitler's Evil Myth: How the Image of Jesse Owens Crushed Hitler's Evil M

Description

Jesse Owens gold-medal winning feats at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin struck a mighty propaganda blow against Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader had planned to use the German games as a showcase of supposed Aryan superiority. Instead there was American black athlete Owens on the podium being photographed by Hitlers personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann. In addition Owens would figure prominently in the groundbreaking film Olympia by Hitlers favorite director Leni Riefenstahl. Photo and film captured Owens stunning success and revealed how wrong Hitler was in his beliefs.

Michael Burgan has written numerous books for children and young adults during his nearly 20 years as a freelance writer. Many of his books have focused on U.S. history, geography, and the lives of world leaders. Michael has won several awards for his writing, and his graphic novel version of the classic tale Frankenstein (Stone Arch Books) was a Junior Library Guild selection. Michael graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in history. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his cat, Callie.

The latest set in the Captured History Sports series features photos of African American athletes. Each book tells the story behind the picture on its cover, including relevant biographical information and historical perspective as well as commentary on the featured photo and photographer. Well placed to support the text, the many illustrations include action shots and scenes related to the political and social conditions discussed in many of these volumes. . . .These books will certainly capture the attention of kids interested in sports, civil rights history, or photography.-- "Booklist" Top 10 Series Nonfiction. Taking the well-regarded Captured History series in a new direction, this handsome series focuses on iconic photographs in athletics, showcasing one picture per volume and explaining its backstory and the circumstances surrounding the moment it was taken.-- "Booklist"