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Lance Armstrong: Tour De Force
Coyle takes us from the cyclist’s turbulent youth in Texas through his many achievements in the cycling field (notably his near loss in the 2003 tour), and his massive struggles against a series of disasters that would have floored most of us: his difficult divorce and subsequent separation from his children and, finally, the terrifying revelation of his cancer. The section on the various solutions that Armstrong tried (including new age healers and radical Italian sports doctors) makes for particularly fascinating reading: as Armstrong realised that his solutions lay elsewhere, there is a genuinely inspirational note here. Equally fascinating are the descriptions of his obsessive fans, the mind games he was forced to play (both with his opponents and corporate heavyweights), and, of course, his much-publicised relationship with rock star Sheryl Crow. The climax, his victory in the 2004 Tour de France, rounds out one of the best sport biographies in years. --Barry Forshaw
RRP: £7.99
Our Price: £2.24 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk
Lance Armstrong's achievement (as vividly detailed in Daniel Coyle's Lance Armstrong: Tour de Force) has been one of the most astonishing in recent sporting history, not least for the reasons detailed in the book's strapline: tough guys, flawed heroes and one man's battle for ultimate supremacy. This is the remarkable story of a man who triumphed over all the odds -- a behind-the-scenes record of the 2004 professional cycling season and the manner in which Armstrong landed his sixth Tour de France victory. What makes the book particularly inspiring is the fact that Armstrong is no superman -- he talks about the many strikes against him (his age, the dissolving of his team and -- most of all -- his triumph over potentially lethal illness (his struggle against cancer is, of course, well-known).
Brilliantly written and entertaining
Review date: 2009-01-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
Brilliantly written insight into the lives and personalities of Armstrong but also many other leading cyclists
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Reviews
The best Armstrong book so far!
Review date: 2008-08-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
As per the title, this is the best Armstrong book so far. Coyle is a very talented writer and I could have easily carried on reading if the book was twice the size.
It's obvious after reading this book that a lot of research has gone into it. (In fact, the author upped his family from their home in Alaska and relocated in Spain just so he could write this book!). There's not a page goes by without the reader learning something new, or something interesting. I found myself wanting to finish it as soon as possible because it was so good, but I was also not wanting it to end.
For those that aren't familiar with cycling terms there's a glossary at the back which explains it all for you.
Just a note about a previous review which mentioned the author's mean spiritedness in betting with his wife as to how long Armstrong & Crow's relationship would last. LA had full access to the writing at every stage and, in the epilogue of this book, the author talks about a meeting he had with LA where he handed over a final draft for his approval. Likewise, I don't think much was made of Walsh's book because of two things, 1) It's a lot of sensational claims with absolutely no evidence to back it up other than 'hearsay', and 2) In Coyle's book LA's thoughts and feeling on the subject are well documented, his anger at such things being written about him and secondly, his decision not to sue.
Anyone who knows of LA's life/history etc will know that he's not shy when it comes to legal action & sueing people etc, but he decided that Walsh's book was just rubbish and why give them the (much needed) publicity anyway? I'm not trying to spoil the other guys review in anyway, it's just what I made those observations from the book.
Anyway, I've read all the books currently available about LA and I'd have to say that this is definitely the best. Well, joint best with "It's not about the Bike," although this one merely touches on LA's battle with cancer where the above mentioned INATB goes into it in depth.
Well worth your money!
wow
Review date: 2007-02-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
i am somewhat going through a period of obsessively reading books about the tour, and about lance. As a result I have read much that is highly repetitive. Tour De Force has been a fantastic find - it is full of facts other books saw no reason to include. I started it 2 days ago and am half way through and desperate to get home to it...
In the frat house with Lance
Review date: 2007-01-16 Rating: 6 out of 10
I'm really not sure what book those other reviewers were reading but this was very disappointing. The author just seemed to be so grateful to be in the presence of Armstrong - gosh, and talk to him! and see his rock star girlfriend! and see his new bike! - that it seemed more the gushing of a frat brother about the cool kid in the house than an insight into a world-class athlete. I don't remember an ounce of criticism - constructive or otherwise - or hard insight into his training methods or what happens when you don't agree with Armstrong (as can be seen by some of the people he has blanked in the past). There were some interesting parts to the book - considering what has happened with Tyler Hamilton since the book was written, that for me was the most interesting bit - but there are better books about cycling out there. Don't get too caught up in Coyle's love fest.
Excellent
Review date: 2006-12-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
The title of the book suggests that this is a Lance Armstrong biography, but it's more than that. It's a look at the whole world of professional cycling, covering one season, and culminating in the Tour de France.
For a `factual' book, it reads like a crime thriller with the plot twisting and turning every which way it can. It contains suspense, politics, conspiracy theorists, bad guys, mad scientists and love and romance. Like every crime thriller, it has its hero: Lance Armstrong, but the book would be no where without it's rich supporting cast of cyclists like Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton, Alexandre Vinokourov, Iban Mayo, Floyd Landis and Ivan Basso. The book examines their lives in almost as much details as Armstrong's: their backgrounds, how they train, and how they perceive Armstrong. It also includes a cast of none-cyclists: trainers like Dr. Michele Ferrari (aka Dr. Evil), Armstrong's ex-mechanic Anderson, now ex-girlfriend Sheryl Crow (aka Jaunita Cuervo) and many more.
We see how Armstrong has to contend with more than just winning the Tour de France; he has to contend with the multitude enemies, seemingly lead by journalist David Walsh, that are just out to get him: those that want to `prove' that he took performance enhancing drugs and in doing so make there own fortunes. We also see Armstrong's response to these allegations, which, to my mind, only serve to make him harder and more determined than ever to become the cycling equivalent of the unstoppable Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film `Terminator' and to win the race.
`Lance Armstrong tour de force' is excellent: the best book I've read all year: can't wait for the movie.
Product Details/Specifications
Authors:
Dan Coyle
Recording label: HarperSport
Manufacturer: HarperSport
EAN: 9780007195282
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0007195281
Number of pages: 346
Publication date: 2006-05-15
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)