Book excerpt: "This new analysis explores the social history and politics of 'mega-events' from the late nineteenth century to the present. Through case studies of mega-events such as the 1851 Crystal Palace expo, the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Maurice Roche investigates the impact expos and Olympics have had on national identities, on the marking of public time and space, and on versions of national citizenship and international society in modern times." "Roche argues that mega-events provide power elites with 'flagships' and catalysts to promote their visions of society and of the future, but that they also provide ordinary people with opportunities to connect with and affirm or contest collective identities."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved