THREE SECONDS IN MUNICH :: David A.F. Sweet

A version of this review previously appeared in Shelf Awareness and is republished here with permission.

"They're all gone." These enduring words of sportscaster Jim McKay announced the murder of 11 Israeli Olympians by Palestinian terrorists at the 1972 Games. Three Seconds in Munich adeptly scrutinizes the infamous basketball tournament between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that took place at the same Games, and sportswriter David A.F. Sweet (Lamar Hunt) strikes a perfect balance in discussing both events.

Sweet takes the gracious risk of losing his audience to anguish by leading with the hostage crisis and not paying mere lip service to the horror. In doing so, he gains crucial trust in a story calling out collusion and game-fixing at one of the highest levels of sport.

Mere days after the massacre, following an undefeated 36-year Olympic streak spanning a "borderline-ridiculous sixty-two games," the U.S. lost to the Soviets 51-50 in the gold medal game. But officials twice added three seconds back on the clock--once after time had expired and the U.S. had won the gold.

Three Seconds is painstakingly researched. While Sweet exposes conspiracy and wrongdoing, he does not discount other elements working against the U.S. team, including coaching style, politics and a dearth of players due to rules prohibiting professional athletes (seemingly overlooked on the Soviet front).

Sweet does a stellar job of pulling emotional strings and revealing how "encountering the evil of terrorism and suffering an excruciating, unjust" loss in only a four-day span continues to affect the players.

STREET SENSE: I remember this Olympics vividly. Where I was (vacationing in Santa Cruz) and who I was with (my family and old family friends). The Olympics were always a special time. I wasn't even 10, but I remember the hostage-taking. I remember zero about the basketball tournament. I felt those old emotions come out as Sweet discussed the tragedy of those Games. This is a recommended work for anyone curious about the Games, athletics and politics, and sports in general.

COVER NERD SAYS:  This cover makes the content clear and the photo captures some of the ranging emotions and reactions to it. The title and subtitle are both smart (one dramatic, the other clarifies). There is nothing earth-shattering here, but any effort to be overly dramatic would be an affront to the content, I think. Overall, well done.