Atlanta’s Olympic Resurgence by Michael Dobbins

Atlanta’s Olympic Resurgence is a book that tells the story of how Atlanta leveraged the benefits of the Centennial Games to become a city of international prominence. The book is written by three urban planning professionals who were at the center of the story.
The authors describe how a bold, audacious partnership of a strong mayor, enlightened business leaders, and Atlanta’s Black political leadership dared to bid on hosting the 1996 Olympic Games.
Unexpectedly, the city won, an achievement that ignited a loose but robust coalition that worked collectively, if sometimes contentiously, to prepare the city and push it forward.
The book covers the six-year lead-up to the Games, including the initiation and preparation of the city’s Olympic Development Program and the establishment of its Corporation for Olympic Development in Atlanta.
It also covers the impact of the Games on the city, including the economic transformation, the increase in population, and the construction of new sports venues and infrastructure.
What I Liked
As an Atlanta transplant, I appreciated the political behind the scenes of the Games.
What I Did Not Like
The book definitely needs to be read in conversation with other books about Atlanta. It’s solid, but also only presents a narrow picture of what all was happening in Atlanta in the 1990s.
I live in Atlanta - and absolutely love it. I will actively sell anyone on this city, while fully admitting to its many frustrating flaws. Atlanta's Olympic Games were possibly the most peak-"Atlanta" event ever - including how the city used the event to deliberately reshape the city's trajectory and development. Atlanta's Olympic Resurgence by Michael Dobbins is super-wonky and boring in parts, but it's also written by two of the actual architects of that controversial choice. Great read if you are into cities or Atlanta in general. Written by urban planning experts involved in the process, it highlights the collaboration among the mayor, business leaders, and Black political figures that led to winning the bid. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the political dynamics and the city's preparations. However, I felt the book offered a limited view of Atlanta during the '90s and would benefit from being read alongside other works for a fuller picture. Overall, it’s a solid read for those interested in Atlanta’s evolution.
- Insightful portrayal of Atlanta's Olympic bid and its impact
- Well-researched by urban planning professionals
- Highlights collaboration among diverse leadership
- The book presents a narrow view of Atlanta in the 1990s.