The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics: Athens 2004 (Complete Book of the Olympics)

Rating:
Summary: THE Olympic book to have.
Review: After a long search for an Olympic record/history book, I am very glad that I found this one. As another reviewer pointed out, one of the jewels of this book is that it list first through eighth place for all events. And it covers ALL events, including the discontinued ones (tug-of-war, croquet, the swimming obstacle race, etc...). There is also a short background history on a vast majority of the entries which is excellent. I have been extremely happy with this book and I'm relying heavily on it now during the Athens Games. I will definitely buy his next Complete Book of the Winter Olympics.

Rating:
Summary: Grab this book if you can
Review: This book gives you all the top 8 finishes in Olympic History. Most sources give you the top 3 or some give you the winners only. In Track and Field, they tell you that Bob Hayes won the 100 meters in 10.05 in 1964 in all others they tell you 10.0. Most people don't know that Tokyo used auto-timers for their Track events and you know that Henry Carr won 200m in 20.36, Mike Larrabee 400m in 45.15.

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Summary: Devastating factual mistake sinks this book to the bottom
Review: This book has an unbelievable and remarkable factual mistake which simply should not be allowed to happen. The Swedish World Champion in Wrestling, Mikael Ljungberg, a national hero who is also an Olympic champion is accused of having been doped and disqualified in the past and barred from championships for 2 years!! This blatant LIE is admitted by the sloppy author who is nevertheless facing legal action from the Swedish wrestling community and Mr. Ljungberg himself. Throw it in trash please!