Schönheit im Olympischen Kampf

Berlin: Im Deutschen Verlag, 1937. Hardcover. First Edition. A key photo book documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Basis for Riefenstahl's groundbreaking 3- hour documentary, released the following year in 1938 in two parts, "Olympia: Festival of Nations" and "Olympia: Festival of Beauty."

A rare example where a photo book and a film are equally important as both works of art, and an historical document. Riefenstahl made the book and the film as propaganda for Hitler, and spent a lifetime trying to live down her devotion to him, but this work in particular is so powerful as to stand apart from the reasons for which it was made. Easily the most visceral and important documents of The Olympics and the spirit of human physcial achievement ever produced.

Scattered foxing to the page fore-edges and bottom edges, else Near Fine in a Very Good plus dust jacket with some shallow creasing at the top of the front flap and light rubbing to the rear panel. An attractive copy.

[Book #165463]