The First Ever English Olympic Games by Celia Haddon

The First Ever English Olympic Games by Celia Haddon

Quirky and funny, while also being a serious account, this entertaining little book takes a historical event, THE FIRST EVER OLIMPICK GAMES, and looks at what it reveals about life in England in the seventeenth century: the history, monarchy, religion and politics. In a delightful manner, Celia Haddon tells the story of an incongruous mix: a Cotswold field and the Olympic Games and so brings history to life in a direct, readable and enjoyable way. The founder of the games, Robert Dover, was a lawyer and 'the Great Inventor and Champion of English Olimpicks'. He had the support of James l who had himself written about suitable, manly sport, partly in answer to the Puritans who thought all games led to sin and sex. From the start Dover's games were a political, as well as a sporting, statement. The Civil War put an end to the games. They were revived by Charles ll and continued into the 19th century when a Victorian Puritan vicar put an end to them on the grounds of licentious behaviour. Today they are still held - but as a shadow of their former glory.

Celia Haddon is a best-selling anthologist whose books have sold well over 1,000,000 copies worldwide. She is currently the Daily Telegraph's agony aunt for pets and is a famous lover and worshipper of cats, having lived with them and loved them since she was a child. She has compiled a number of anthologies in their honour. She is also compiler of the best-selling ONE HUNDRED WAYS... range and her cat titles in that range have all been best sellers.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780340862742
ISBN 10	0340862742
Title	The First Ever English Olympic Games
Author	Celia Haddon
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Hodder & Stoughton
Year published	2004-07-15
Number of pages	192
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.