The Magnificent Seven: The Authorized Story of American Gold

by N.H. Kleinbaum, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes

These are the seven young women who vaulted to Olympic glory by becoming the first United States gymnasts ever to win team gold. Now The Magnificent Seven: The Authorized Story of American Gold tells each gymnast's story, based on exclusive interviews. These young women's incredible talent, determination, and spirit electrified the more than sixty million television spectators who watched as the team didn't miss a beat.

Starting on the uneven bars, the gymnasts performed one flawless routine after another. The beam was the same awesome story. Then came the dazzling tumbling passes during the floor exercises, followed by the unforgettable high drama of the vaults. Throughout, the crowd's thunderous chants of "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" filled Atlanta's Georgia Dome. The Magnificent Seven--magnificent to the end--epitomized the grace and courage of all American champions and of all athletes. Together Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps, and Kerri Strug delivered the most magical and dazzling night of the Centennial Olympic Games--and together they have become America's golden sweethearts.

In The Magnificent Seven: The Authorized Story of American Gold, each gymnast tells how it felt on that dream-come-true Olympic night; how she got started in the sport; how she trained intensely for years; and all about her coaches, her family, her post-Olympic plans, and much more. Full-color photos, many from family albums, capture a wealth of personal moments-beginning with exclusive baby shots and continuing all the way to the 1996 Olympics. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of the Magnificent Seven, gymnastic stars who make all Americans proud.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Childrens

97 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 1996

About the author

Nancy Horowitz Kleinbaum is an American writer and journalist. She is the author of the novel Dead Poets Society, which is based on the movie of the same name

Reviews

[Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mí se me queda un poco corto. Es como que han contado la página de Wikipedia de cada gimnasta de forma reducida y ya. No aporta demasiado y más que una historia es un pequeño perfil de cada gimnasta.

[Kayla Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book features a profile of each of the members of the record-breaking 1996 USA Women’s Gymnastics team. I was only familiar with Kerri Strug’s famous second vault on an injured foot, but I liked learning a little more about each team member. Reading this had me watching YouTube clips of their performances, and it’s fun to see how gymnastics has both changed and stayed the same over the last nearly 30 years. This book was published in 1996 so it was also interesting to read quotes from each girl about her future plans then Google them to see how their careers developed and what their lives are like currently.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child, the 1996 Olympics were the first one where I was able to understand the scoring and understand the routines. I wanted to know about all the gymnasts and theirs lives. This is certainly a children's book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book!!! it tells about the US womens gymnastics team of the 1996 olympics :)

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have my Shannon Miller autographed copy that I stood in a long line for a few years back. ;)

[Tara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Read it right after they won.

[Maddie Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being able to learn more about these wonderful gymnasts.