Author David Clay Large to Discuss His Book ‘Nazi Games – The Olympics of 1936’ April 23 at Western

David Clay Large, author of “Nazi Games – The Olympics of 1936,” will discuss the history behind his book from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 in Academic West #204 on the Western Washington University Campus. 

This presentation is provided free of charge and doors open at 3:50 p.m.

Next to the German squad, America’s team at the 1936 Olympics, often called the “Nazi Games,” was the largest. America’s presence in Berlin was highly controversial due to a powerful boycott effort in the U.S. and the extraordinary performances of African American athletes, including the four gold medals won by track star Jesse Owens.

Controversies involved Adolf Hitler’s alleged “snub” of Owens and how African-American triumphs were interpreted, in addition to two Jewish members of the track squad being excluded from participation in a relay race. This workshop will examine issues of race and politics at what remains the most notorious of all modern Olympiads.

David Clay Large, author of a dozen books on the Olympics, is currently a senior fellow at the Institute for European Studies at the University of California at Berkeley. Large’s presentation is hosted by the Western Reads program in conjunction with its 2014-15 selection, “The Boys in the Boat,” which tells the story of the University of Washington men’s rowing team that against all odds represented the U.S. and claimed gold at the Berlin games.

Convenient parking is available in the C-lots, south end of campus.  Follow parking regulations and fee schedule.

For more information on the presentation or the Western Reads program, contact Dawn Dietrich at Western.Reads@wwu.edu.