And Hitler, as he listened to Goebbels, and knowing full well what he had planned for Germany in the days, months, and years ahead, had slowly begun to recognize the value in presenting a more attractive face to the world than his brown-shirted storm troopers and his black-shirted security forces had displayed thus far. At the very least, an Olympic interlude would help buy him time – time to convince the world of his peaceful intentions, even as he began to rebuild Germany’s military and industrial power for the titanic struggle to come.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1 paragraph Page 21)

Importance: This passage summarizes Hitler’s mindset in the months leading up to the Berlin Olympic Games. It also highlights why this particular games was so important in world history. Hitler and the Nazi Party made a concerted effort to manipulate the world through their presentation of Germany, and they succeeded. The Second World War didn’t break...