How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
On the first of August, Louie and the other Olympians were driven through Berlin for the opening ceremonies. Every vista suggested coiled might. Nazi banners had been papered over everything. (1.4.10)
The Berlin Olympics seem to be less about feats of athleticism and more about stoking the fire of German nationalism in preparation for war.
Quote #2
The slavish nationalism was a joke to the Americans, but not the Germans. The Gestapo paced the stadium, eying the fans. (1.4.13)
This is one of those hindsight is 20/20 jokes, like when Don Draper jokes about there being a machine that will just reproduce paper on its own before copiers are invented. The Gestapo is definitely not a laughing matter after World War II.
Quote #3
As Louie blazed through college, far away, history was turning. In Europe, Hitler was laying plans to conquer the continent. […] Central to the Japanese identity was the belief that it was Japan's divinely mandated right to rule its fellow Asians, whom it saw as inherently inferior. (1.5.16)
War will eventually sweep up Louie, and Hillenbrand makes sure to give us historical context where important. It's also interesting to see the similarities between Hitler's beliefs and Japanese beliefs.