London 2012 Olympics is fast approaching, with new developments and plans causing huge excitement the world over. Yet, this multi-million pound corporate extravaganza could not be further from the realities of the 1948 'Austerity Games' which took place with London a bombed out ruin, Britain in deep economic crisis, and a world torn and dazed by six years of bitter conflict. The resulting games was not only an amazing achievement in terms of organisation, thrift and invention - being the most successful, inexpensive and unpretentious games of the 20th century - but also something for the world to celebrate following the long years of war and strain.

It was a triumph of the human spirit as the countries' finest athletes joined together to compete and entertain despite the burgeoning cold war and niggling old disputes.In the vein of Simon Garfield's "Our Hidden Lives", and David Kynaston's "Austerity Britain", "London 1948" is a fascinating look at an extraordinary historical event. Entertaining, revelatory and touching, the book is full of first hand interviews, hilarious anecdotes, and great spirited sporting feats.