Gymnastics Book Club

Gymnastics books aren't just autobiographies "written" by U.S. Olympians. There's a colorful assortment of texts out there that can enlighten or entertain a gym fan and give them more confidence when speaking about the dynamics of the sport, the gymnasts, the coaches, and the Code. Each month I'll highlight a book or two that gymfans should be reading, covering diverse genres. The book club will include books for every age. Note: all prices are in US dollars but always consult with your local library before you buy a book! Utilize your library's online database since many have modern features to let you read books online or borrow through kindle, nook, etc. 



The Boy on Cinnamon Street

Blurb: A story about a wounded girl and the boy who won't give up on her. 7th grader Louise should be the captain of her school's gymnastics team - but she isn't. She's fun and cute and should have lots of friends - but she doesn't. And there's a dreamy boy who has a crush on her - but somehow they never connect. Louise has everything going for her - so what is it that's holding her back? Phoebe Stone tells the winning story of the spring when 7th grader Louise Terrace wakes up, finds the courage to confront the painful family secret she's hiding from - and finally get the boy.


Price: Kindle for $5.38 Physical copies starting from $0.01
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

Reviews: here

                                                  

Gymnastics and Politics: Niels Bukh and Male Aesthetics

Blurb: This is the first international biography of Niels Bukh (1880-1950), the charismatic founder of the special Danish school of modern gymnastics. His team of young elite gymnasts traveled around the world demonstrating his gymnastics, and in Japan his school is still attracting thousands of pupils. Bukh's private life and his fascination with the German Nazi party makes him a very controversial figure even fifty years after his death.


Price: The Amazon hardcover comes with a DVD documentary for $69.00. The book alone is $32.00. For a FREE preview on Google Books click here.

Review: http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/JSH/JSH2008/JSH3501/jsh3501s.pdf

Guys, I'm ordering this book for myself because i've skimmed the chapters and this book seems very awesome, particularly the training regimen of elite gymnasts in the 1920's and how Bukh used danish gymnastics to cozy up to Nazi Germany. Don't let the politics side of things scare you off, this book has so much gymnastics in it and I'm hoping it will shed some light on how the Soviet's reacted to Bukh's style of gymnastics with their own aesthetic in the 1950's. I'll def write a review one day!

                                                                           
                                                                               

For: August Book Club





If you have a book you would like to recommend please email sashbib@gmail.com