Olympic Visions; Images of the Games through History, Mike O'Mahony (Reaktion Books, London, 2012) 176pp., hardback, £22.00, 116 illustrations of which 50 are colour, ISBN 978 1 06189 910 1

The modern Olympic Games have become a world phenomenon since their beginning in 1896 and it has been a signal honour for a city to be chosen to host this four-yearly showcase of fitness, strength and skill.  Surprisingly this is the first book to offer in any comprehensive way the visuals of the events.  Mike O'Mahony, Senior Lecturer in the History of Art at Bristol, here explores how painters and sculptors, photographers and film makers, architects and designers have helped to shape the consciouness of spectators.  He analyses the images of the Olympics throughout history as well as the memorabilia such as coins and medals.

This wonderful combination of illustrations and insights is particularly relevant as London hosts the Games in 2012 and very much to be welcomed at a reasonable price.