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 Product Description
People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong--a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its gruelling intensity. Armstrong is a thoroughgoing Texan jock, and the changes brought to his life by his illness are startling and powerful, but he's just not interested in wearing a hero suit. While his vocabulary is a bit on the he-man side (highest compliment to his wife: "she's a stud"), his actions will melt the most hard-bitten souls: a cancer foundation and benefit bike ride, his astonishing commitment to training that got him past countless hurdles, loyalty to the people and corporations that never gave up on him. There's serious medical detail here, which may not be for the faint of heart; from chemo to surgical procedures to his wife's in vitro fertilization, you won't be spared a single x-ray, IV drip, or unfortunate side effect. Athletes and coaches everywhere will benefit from the same extraordinary detail provided about training sessions--every aching tendon, every rainy afternoon, and every small triumph during his long recovery is here in living colour. It's Not About the Bike is the perfect title for this book about life, death, illness, family, setbacks, and triumphs, but not especially about the bike. --Jill Lightner, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
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Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
Great book about a British cycling hero., 09 Oct 2008
Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
Exceptional account about an intriguing man, 14 Sep 2008
Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.
Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend., 31 Aug 2008
My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.
I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.
Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
What more can I say, 08 Jul 2008
The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
Could not put it down, 03 Jul 2008
I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.
I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.
Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).
Ian Reynolds
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Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
Great book about a British cycling hero., 09 Oct 2008
Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
Exceptional account about an intriguing man, 14 Sep 2008
Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.
Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend., 31 Aug 2008
My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.
I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.
Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
What more can I say, 08 Jul 2008
The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
Could not put it down, 03 Jul 2008
I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.
I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.
Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).
Ian Reynolds
Good book, if a little disjointed, 16 Nov 2008
Its an interesting book, but as others have said, nothing new in here. The flow of the story is a little dis-jointed and I found myself trying to work out where in the timeline I was half the time. Not a must have book for fans of the Tour De France. What is written is in many cases likely true but I became extremely bored and irrated very quickly with the constant talk of Lance Armstrong and any drug issue. The man has never been tested positive, can we please just let it go now.
Frustration on every page!, 16 Nov 2008
A most frustrating book. Like other reviewers, I was looking for revelation and hoped that a voice of experience may offer true insight, that might help direct my own views in these troubled times of quandary for cycling.
Instead, one ends up feeling very sorry indeed for the writer, who admits himself in closing that he is bitter, but for whom you have had this sense from early in the book.
His insinuation that friendships lost are due to disagreements about doping-stance, might be misplaced? Perhaps people have just become fed up with Mr Whittle namedropping (five a side football with David Milliband, "bike-perving" with Paul Smith), bragging at each good hotel he has visited (The Leeds Hilton, the Docklands Crowne Plaza) or they simply think he's a bit of a prat: 'Ciao Ivan, come stai?' I said, exhausting my Italian in a single sentence'.
Alternatively, perhaps they are fed up at his betrayal of confidence, not over doping but in crossing the line between friend/confidant and journalist for the advancement of his journalistic career (Lance Armstrong, David Millar, Bradley Wiggins), or just run down by his negativity ('Ken Livingstone's attempts to force Londoners to embrace his two wheeled Utopia were washed away by grey skies, foulmouthed builders and doping, doping - always doping'). Incidentally, not how I remember the prologue of the 2007 Tour de France in London!
Just as much a sports fan as Mr Whittle, I care passionately about cleaning up sport, and the essay aspects of his book are to be congratulated, but I did not find it well-written, jumping around too much, leaving one with unanswered questions at key points; often hoping (against hope), that we would be taken back to them later. I found some of the writing trite, perhaps written for a younger generation: "he often went commando, sans underwear".
There is also surely a hypocrisy in someone who admits to having taken amphetamine, albeit at a weak moment in a notoriously difficult bike ride, now commercially benefitting out of criticising professional cyclists for doing just the same.
Whilst shortlisted, this is sadly not for me a Sportsbook of the Year 2008.
A must read , 27 Oct 2008
Like many I have watched the Tour de France on television and marvelled at
the super human achievements of the cyclists who put themselves through this hell. What is even more fascinating, however, are the relationships that exist in this world; not just between the riders, but also the journalists, administrators and financiers. Whittle's book gives a rare insight into how it is to live and work in an environment where people lie and deceive on a daily basis, not because they dislike you, but because
their very survival in this world appears to depend on it.
Other reviews have said that there is nothing new in this book regarding the material facts of the numerous doping scandals. This misses, what I see, as the point of the book. Whittle gives the reader a glimpse of the relationships that exist within elite sport. His relationships with David Millar and Lance Armstrong typify how difficult it has been for Whittle to stay in love with a sport that once gave him so much as a fan, but as part of the professional cycling circus, he struggles to find truth and honour, not least within himself.
I don't believe, as one reviewer states, that Whittle sets out to tie
Armstrong to doping. Armstrong has a place within cycling that is without
precedent, and so you can sense Whittle's growing sense of anger that Armstrong failed to use the power his position afforded him to banish doping from the peloton. Armstrong like everyone else featured in
this book is,neither a hero or villain, but a human being who has fought
to survive in such a hostile environment, something a figure like Marco
Pantani was unable to do.
This is a compelling and often disturbing account of the paradox of loving a
sport, whilst at the same time seeing the lure of success in it challenge
and, in some cases, destroy, relationships and individuals.
A must read.
Wrongly Titled, 07 Oct 2008
Having bought and read many cycling books I mistakingly thought this was going to be an in depth look at the serect life of the Tour de France. Having read the book it is more about one mans campaign to link the name of Lance Armstrong with every doping scandal there has ever been. Whilst the author accepts that Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in his opinion raced clean, he seems unable to accept that Lance Armstrong may also have raced clean and there are very few chapters where he does not have a personal attack on Lance Armstrong. Jeremy Whittle writes about cheating, I also feel cheated as the book is wrongly titled and should have been titled "Lance Armstrong, how I can link him with every doping scandal". It is a well written book but contains nothing that hasn't been written before apart from the constant references to doping and Lance Armstrong.
Readable and Compelling, 17 Jul 2008
I agree with both of the earlier reviewers. This is a readable, well written and compelling book, as a memoir of Whittle's career as a cycling journalist it is entertaining and as a chronicle of his move from loyal fan to insider to dissapointed cynic it is even quite moving, and to be fair that is how it describes itself.
It is not revelatory though, it is not an 'expose' there is nothing new in the way of evidence, as the first reviewer says, go to Walsh and Kimmage for those but Whilttle never pretends that this is an expose. He gives credit where it due to Walsh to Kimmage to Simeoni, and records his own personal response to these events.
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Every Second Counts
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £3.45
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Product Description
In the opening of Lance Armstrong's memoir, Every Second Counts (coauthored by Sally Jenkins), he reflects: "Generally, one of the hardest things in the world to do is something twice." While he is talking here about his preparation for what would prove to be his second consecutive Tour de France victory in 2000, the sentiment could equally be applied to the book itself. And just as Armstrong managed to repeat his incredible 1999 tour victory, Every Second Counts repeats--and, in some ways exceeds—the success of his bestselling first memoir, It's Not About the Bike. Every Second Counts confronts the challenge of moving beyond his cancer experience, his first Tour victory and his celebrity status. Few of Armstrong's readers will ever compete in the Tour de France (though cyclists will relish Armstrong's detailed recounting of his 2000-2003 tour victories), but all will relate to his discussions of loss and disappointment in his personal and professional life since 1999. They will relate to his battles with petty bureaucracies, such as the French court system during the doping scandal that almost halted his career. And they will especially relate to constant struggles with work/life balance. In the face of September 11--which arrives halfway through the narrative (just before the fifth anniversary of his diagnosis)--Armstrong draws from his experiences to show that suffering, fear and death are the essential human condition. In so openly using his own life to illustrate how to face this reality, he proves that he truly is a hero--and not just because of the bike. In Every Second Counts he is to be admired as a human being, a man who sees every day as a challenge to live richly and well, no matter what hardships may come. --Patrick O'Kelley, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
Great book about a British cycling hero., 09 Oct 2008
Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
Exceptional account about an intriguing man, 14 Sep 2008
Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.
Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend., 31 Aug 2008
My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.
I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.
Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
What more can I say, 08 Jul 2008
The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
Could not put it down, 03 Jul 2008
I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.
I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.
Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).
Ian Reynolds
Good book, if a little disjointed, 16 Nov 2008
Its an interesting book, but as others have said, nothing new in here. The flow of the story is a little dis-jointed and I found myself trying to work out where in the timeline I was half the time. Not a must have book for fans of the Tour De France. What is written is in many cases likely true but I became extremely bored and irrated very quickly with the constant talk of Lance Armstrong and any drug issue. The man has never been tested positive, can we please just let it go now.
Frustration on every page!, 16 Nov 2008
A most frustrating book. Like other reviewers, I was looking for revelation and hoped that a voice of experience may offer true insight, that might help direct my own views in these troubled times of quandary for cycling.
Instead, one ends up feeling very sorry indeed for the writer, who admits himself in closing that he is bitter, but for whom you have had this sense from early in the book.
His insinuation that friendships lost are due to disagreements about doping-stance, might be misplaced? Perhaps people have just become fed up with Mr Whittle namedropping (five a side football with David Milliband, "bike-perving" with Paul Smith), bragging at each good hotel he has visited (The Leeds Hilton, the Docklands Crowne Plaza) or they simply think he's a bit of a prat: 'Ciao Ivan, come stai?' I said, exhausting my Italian in a single sentence'.
Alternatively, perhaps they are fed up at his betrayal of confidence, not over doping but in crossing the line between friend/confidant and journalist for the advancement of his journalistic career (Lance Armstrong, David Millar, Bradley Wiggins), or just run down by his negativity ('Ken Livingstone's attempts to force Londoners to embrace his two wheeled Utopia were washed away by grey skies, foulmouthed builders and doping, doping - always doping'). Incidentally, not how I remember the prologue of the 2007 Tour de France in London!
Just as much a sports fan as Mr Whittle, I care passionately about cleaning up sport, and the essay aspects of his book are to be congratulated, but I did not find it well-written, jumping around too much, leaving one with unanswered questions at key points; often hoping (against hope), that we would be taken back to them later. I found some of the writing trite, perhaps written for a younger generation: "he often went commando, sans underwear".
There is also surely a hypocrisy in someone who admits to having taken amphetamine, albeit at a weak moment in a notoriously difficult bike ride, now commercially benefitting out of criticising professional cyclists for doing just the same.
Whilst shortlisted, this is sadly not for me a Sportsbook of the Year 2008.
A must read , 27 Oct 2008
Like many I have watched the Tour de France on television and marvelled at
the super human achievements of the cyclists who put themselves through this hell. What is even more fascinating, however, are the relationships that exist in this world; not just between the riders, but also the journalists, administrators and financiers. Whittle's book gives a rare insight into how it is to live and work in an environment where people lie and deceive on a daily basis, not because they dislike you, but because
their very survival in this world appears to depend on it.
Other reviews have said that there is nothing new in this book regarding the material facts of the numerous doping scandals. This misses, what I see, as the point of the book. Whittle gives the reader a glimpse of the relationships that exist within elite sport. His relationships with David Millar and Lance Armstrong typify how difficult it has been for Whittle to stay in love with a sport that once gave him so much as a fan, but as part of the professional cycling circus, he struggles to find truth and honour, not least within himself.
I don't believe, as one reviewer states, that Whittle sets out to tie
Armstrong to doping. Armstrong has a place within cycling that is without
precedent, and so you can sense Whittle's growing sense of anger that Armstrong failed to use the power his position afforded him to banish doping from the peloton. Armstrong like everyone else featured in
this book is,neither a hero or villain, but a human being who has fought
to survive in such a hostile environment, something a figure like Marco
Pantani was unable to do.
This is a compelling and often disturbing account of the paradox of loving a
sport, whilst at the same time seeing the lure of success in it challenge
and, in some cases, destroy, relationships and individuals.
A must read.
Wrongly Titled, 07 Oct 2008
Having bought and read many cycling books I mistakingly thought this was going to be an in depth look at the serect life of the Tour de France. Having read the book it is more about one mans campaign to link the name of Lance Armstrong with every doping scandal there has ever been. Whilst the author accepts that Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in his opinion raced clean, he seems unable to accept that Lance Armstrong may also have raced clean and there are very few chapters where he does not have a personal attack on Lance Armstrong. Jeremy Whittle writes about cheating, I also feel cheated as the book is wrongly titled and should have been titled "Lance Armstrong, how I can link him with every doping scandal". It is a well written book but contains nothing that hasn't been written before apart from the constant references to doping and Lance Armstrong.
Readable and Compelling, 17 Jul 2008
I agree with both of the earlier reviewers. This is a readable, well written and compelling book, as a memoir of Whittle's career as a cycling journalist it is entertaining and as a chronicle of his move from loyal fan to insider to dissapointed cynic it is even quite moving, and to be fair that is how it describes itself.
It is not revelatory though, it is not an 'expose' there is nothing new in the way of evidence, as the first reviewer says, go to Walsh and Kimmage for those but Whilttle never pretends that this is an expose. He gives credit where it due to Walsh to Kimmage to Simeoni, and records his own personal response to these events.
Inspirational and comforting, 21 Aug 2008
I had already read Lance's first book but after being diagnosed with cancer myself I decided to read this one too.
It is the quickest I have ever read a book in my life, I really couldn't put it down. Very easy to read and made me feel much better about by situation. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a bit of a 'pick me up'!
Not much personality.., 04 Mar 2008
You have to admire Lance Armstrong and his fantastic Tour wins. The "is that all you've got" look he gave to Jan Ulrich destroyed him and anybody who thought they were in with a chance on that race. He overcame cancer and led the US Postal and Discovery channel team with aplomb for several years, in the face of many unproven drug rumours.
However driven (extremely) and succesful (more so) he was, this does not make him the type of man you'd like to be stuck in the lift with and it shows in this book. Just not a great read I'm afraid as your fears that most of todays top sportsmen are robotic and lacking in personality are proved right.
Survivor, 22 May 2007
This was written in 2004 after his record 6th consequetive win of the Tour de France. If you've read his first book, this is a very necessary follow up. There is some overlap in the telling of the cancer story but that is to be expected.
We get more details, in some cases very sad details of his personal life and relationship break ups. Through it all it seems as though Lance is starting to grow up a little bit. Perhaps seeming a little less arrogant but maybe that is easy now that he is an undisputed champion.
Never shy of controversy, Armstrong offers, with typical frankness, his thoughts on training, competing, winning and failure. He also tells of the work he does for the foundation he created following his dramatic recovery, addresses the daunting challenge of living in the aftermath of cancer and treatment, and shares further inspirational tales of survival.
A fresh outlook on the spirit of survivors everywhere, Every Second Counts is an awe-inspiring book by a man who strives every day to meet life's challenges - whether on his bike or off. There are more descriptions of his cycling and training strategies here too.
This man is a God. And he deserves more credit. Book is great, 17 May 2007
I remember the (scant British) TV coverage of some of the races described here... heart-pounding stuff! So I have a lot of admiration for any of the participants and nothing but awe for anyone who wins such a grueling race! Now I have been counting up those years because I can't quite believe anyone could win the Tour de France for seven years in a row! Added to this the fact that this man is a survivor of advanced-stage cancer!!
But what about the book? - it is very easy to read - I finished in two or three days and only tiredness forced my to turn out the light! Whatever the contribution of Sally Jenkins it sounds like the voice of Lance Armstrong throughout with no detectable seams. It is well structured too - even if you are familiar with the main events the story comes alive again through Lance's perspective and insights. It is not too technical, ie. you don't have to be a bike fanatics to enjoy!
Do we get to see the inner man? Are the secrets of his success revealed? This is not a "How to..." book, but there are signs: self-belief, preparation, concentration, demanding of self and others, acceptance of pain, prepared to take risks, not giving up, acknowledging and rewarding others, sharing success, developing talent in others..... all good lessons no matter what our goals in life.
But there is also an attempt to paint a balanced and honest picture of this life - we hear about fears of a return of cancer, frustration at the press and French judicial system promoting and exhaustively trying to prove drug abuse, almost despair at the idleness outside the training/race season, the pain at not preventing the break-up of a marriage, and even admission of failure to be as inspirational as expected!
It is hard to find fault - I did think it a little false that everyone he encounters appears to be a friend. And all that self-assurance - not sure I actually like the guy, or would want to be around him for too long... but the books is great!
An OK read, 10 Nov 2006
An account racing in the Tour de France. Partially inspirational. I can't really say this book changed my life. Not as good as other reviews would lead you to believe.
Not a bad read.
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Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
Great book about a British cycling hero., 09 Oct 2008
Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
Exceptional account about an intriguing man, 14 Sep 2008
Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.
Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend., 31 Aug 2008
My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.
I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.
Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
What more can I say, 08 Jul 2008
The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
Could not put it down, 03 Jul 2008
I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.
I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.
Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).
Ian Reynolds
Good book, if a little disjointed, 16 Nov 2008
Its an interesting book, but as others have said, nothing new in here. The flow of the story is a little dis-jointed and I found myself trying to work out where in the timeline I was half the time. Not a must have book for fans of the Tour De France. What is written is in many cases likely true but I became extremely bored and irrated very quickly with the constant talk of Lance Armstrong and any drug issue. The man has never been tested positive, can we please just let it go now.
Frustration on every page!, 16 Nov 2008
A most frustrating book. Like other reviewers, I was looking for revelation and hoped that a voice of experience may offer true insight, that might help direct my own views in these troubled times of quandary for cycling.
Instead, one ends up feeling very sorry indeed for the writer, who admits himself in closing that he is bitter, but for whom you have had this sense from early in the book.
His insinuation that friendships lost are due to disagreements about doping-stance, might be misplaced? Perhaps people have just become fed up with Mr Whittle namedropping (five a side football with David Milliband, "bike-perving" with Paul Smith), bragging at each good hotel he has visited (The Leeds Hilton, the Docklands Crowne Plaza) or they simply think he's a bit of a prat: 'Ciao Ivan, come stai?' I said, exhausting my Italian in a single sentence'.
Alternatively, perhaps they are fed up at his betrayal of confidence, not over doping but in crossing the line between friend/confidant and journalist for the advancement of his journalistic career (Lance Armstrong, David Millar, Bradley Wiggins), or just run down by his negativity ('Ken Livingstone's attempts to force Londoners to embrace his two wheeled Utopia were washed away by grey skies, foulmouthed builders and doping, doping - always doping'). Incidentally, not how I remember the prologue of the 2007 Tour de France in London!
Just as much a sports fan as Mr Whittle, I care passionately about cleaning up sport, and the essay aspects of his book are to be congratulated, but I did not find it well-written, jumping around too much, leaving one with unanswered questions at key points; often hoping (against hope), that we would be taken back to them later. I found some of the writing trite, perhaps written for a younger generation: "he often went commando, sans underwear".
There is also surely a hypocrisy in someone who admits to having taken amphetamine, albeit at a weak moment in a notoriously difficult bike ride, now commercially benefitting out of criticising professional cyclists for doing just the same.
Whilst shortlisted, this is sadly not for me a Sportsbook of the Year 2008.
A must read , 27 Oct 2008
Like many I have watched the Tour de France on television and marvelled at
the super human achievements of the cyclists who put themselves through this hell. What is even more fascinating, however, are the relationships that exist in this world; not just between the riders, but also the journalists, administrators and financiers. Whittle's book gives a rare insight into how it is to live and work in an environment where people lie and deceive on a daily basis, not because they dislike you, but because
their very survival in this world appears to depend on it.
Other reviews have said that there is nothing new in this book regarding the material facts of the numerous doping scandals. This misses, what I see, as the point of the book. Whittle gives the reader a glimpse of the relationships that exist within elite sport. His relationships with David Millar and Lance Armstrong typify how difficult it has been for Whittle to stay in love with a sport that once gave him so much as a fan, but as part of the professional cycling circus, he struggles to find truth and honour, not least within himself.
I don't believe, as one reviewer states, that Whittle sets out to tie
Armstrong to doping. Armstrong has a place within cycling that is without
precedent, and so you can sense Whittle's growing sense of anger that Armstrong failed to use the power his position afforded him to banish doping from the peloton. Armstrong like everyone else featured in
this book is,neither a hero or villain, but a human being who has fought
to survive in such a hostile environment, something a figure like Marco
Pantani was unable to do.
This is a compelling and often disturbing account of the paradox of loving a
sport, whilst at the same time seeing the lure of success in it challenge
and, in some cases, destroy, relationships and individuals.
A must read.
Wrongly Titled, 07 Oct 2008
Having bought and read many cycling books I mistakingly thought this was going to be an in depth look at the serect life of the Tour de France. Having read the book it is more about one mans campaign to link the name of Lance Armstrong with every doping scandal there has ever been. Whilst the author accepts that Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in his opinion raced clean, he seems unable to accept that Lance Armstrong may also have raced clean and there are very few chapters where he does not have a personal attack on Lance Armstrong. Jeremy Whittle writes about cheating, I also feel cheated as the book is wrongly titled and should have been titled "Lance Armstrong, how I can link him with every doping scandal". It is a well written book but contains nothing that hasn't been written before apart from the constant references to doping and Lance Armstrong.
Readable and Compelling, 17 Jul 2008
I agree with both of the earlier reviewers. This is a readable, well written and compelling book, as a memoir of Whittle's career as a cycling journalist it is entertaining and as a chronicle of his move from loyal fan to insider to dissapointed cynic it is even quite moving, and to be fair that is how it describes itself.
It is not revelatory though, it is not an 'expose' there is nothing new in the way of evidence, as the first reviewer says, go to Walsh and Kimmage for those but Whilttle never pretends that this is an expose. He gives credit where it due to Walsh to Kimmage to Simeoni, and records his own personal response to these events.
Inspirational and comforting, 21 Aug 2008
I had already read Lance's first book but after being diagnosed with cancer myself I decided to read this one too.
It is the quickest I have ever read a book in my life, I really couldn't put it down. Very easy to read and made me feel much better about by situation. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a bit of a 'pick me up'!
Not much personality.., 04 Mar 2008
You have to admire Lance Armstrong and his fantastic Tour wins. The "is that all you've got" look he gave to Jan Ulrich destroyed him and anybody who thought they were in with a chance on that race. He overcame cancer and led the US Postal and Discovery channel team with aplomb for several years, in the face of many unproven drug rumours.
However driven (extremely) and succesful (more so) he was, this does not make him the type of man you'd like to be stuck in the lift with and it shows in this book. Just not a great read I'm afraid as your fears that most of todays top sportsmen are robotic and lacking in personality are proved right.
Survivor, 22 May 2007
This was written in 2004 after his record 6th consequetive win of the Tour de France. If you've read his first book, this is a very necessary follow up. There is some overlap in the telling of the cancer story but that is to be expected.
We get more details, in some cases very sad details of his personal life and relationship break ups. Through it all it seems as though Lance is starting to grow up a little bit. Perhaps seeming a little less arrogant but maybe that is easy now that he is an undisputed champion.
Never shy of controversy, Armstrong offers, with typical frankness, his thoughts on training, competing, winning and failure. He also tells of the work he does for the foundation he created following his dramatic recovery, addresses the daunting challenge of living in the aftermath of cancer and treatment, and shares further inspirational tales of survival.
A fresh outlook on the spirit of survivors everywhere, Every Second Counts is an awe-inspiring book by a man who strives every day to meet life's challenges - whether on his bike or off. There are more descriptions of his cycling and training strategies here too.
This man is a God. And he deserves more credit. Book is great, 17 May 2007
I remember the (scant British) TV coverage of some of the races described here... heart-pounding stuff! So I have a lot of admiration for any of the participants and nothing but awe for anyone who wins such a grueling race! Now I have been counting up those years because I can't quite believe anyone could win the Tour de France for seven years in a row! Added to this the fact that this man is a survivor of advanced-stage cancer!!
But what about the book? - it is very easy to read - I finished in two or three days and only tiredness forced my to turn out the light! Whatever the contribution of Sally Jenkins it sounds like the voice of Lance Armstrong throughout with no detectable seams. It is well structured too - even if you are familiar with the main events the story comes alive again through Lance's perspective and insights. It is not too technical, ie. you don't have to be a bike fanatics to enjoy!
Do we get to see the inner man? Are the secrets of his success revealed? This is not a "How to..." book, but there are signs: self-belief, preparation, concentration, demanding of self and others, acceptance of pain, prepared to take risks, not giving up, acknowledging and rewarding others, sharing success, developing talent in others..... all good lessons no matter what our goals in life.
But there is also an attempt to paint a balanced and honest picture of this life - we hear about fears of a return of cancer, frustration at the press and French judicial system promoting and exhaustively trying to prove drug abuse, almost despair at the idleness outside the training/race season, the pain at not preventing the break-up of a marriage, and even admission of failure to be as inspirational as expected!
It is hard to find fault - I did think it a little false that everyone he encounters appears to be a friend. And all that self-assurance - not sure I actually like the guy, or would want to be around him for too long... but the books is great!
An OK read, 10 Nov 2006
An account racing in the Tour de France. Partially inspirational. I can't really say this book changed my life. Not as good as other reviews would lead you to believe.
Not a bad read.
Perverty French Man, 03 Jul 2008
"Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape" is an astonishing biography of French cycling star Jacques Anquetil. I had no idea who he was but i bought the book in a Charity shop when i heard about Anquetil's life.
He was the first man to win the Tour de France five times; the first to win all three grand tours (the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia).
He was a notorious dope fiend and he even confessed to this in public (Dope tests did not exist in the sports world back then). As well as dealing with Anquetil's considerable achievements as a cyclist, this book also explores his naughty private life. This French gypsy seduced his doctor's wife; he acted as stepfather to her children before asking his stepdaughter to bear him a child; after his blood-daughter was born, he maintained a menage a trois with his wife and stepdaughter for several years in the same house.
He also had time to seduce his stepson's ex-wife and had a child with her.
Dr.Bee Clarke.
Excellent account of a true great., 30 Jun 2008
Having read widely on cycling, I am rather ashamed to admit I knew virtually nothing about Jacques Anquetil, other than that he won the Tour five times and had a rivalry with Raymond Poulidor. I was, therefore, pleased to see someone had written a biography of the man, and what a worthwhile subject he has proven to be.
Rather sickeningly, Anquetil was, from the very beginning of his career, brilliant. From the age of seventeen, he was winning time trials (his forte) by huge margins against experienced rivals, and, indeed, never lost in the (then) prestigious Grand Prix des Nations, winning it nine times out of nine.
He became "le patron", but without the bullying aggression of Hinault - he stamped his authority by simply riding away from everyone else. However, as Howard suggests, this may well have been through amphetamine use. Howard does not directly link any of his wins to doping but there are several races in which Anquetil began way off the pace (often due to a previous night of excess) only to catch up with a breakaway group and then ride past them to a solo victory.
Perhaps the most astonishing of all was his Dauphine Libere/Bordeaux-Paris (a 557km one-day race) double. The Bordeaux-Paris race began only seven hours after, and six hundred kilometres from, the finish of the Dauphine. Having had no sleep, Anquetil began Bordeaux-Paris exhausted. He was virtually asleep in the saddle for the first part of the race while he was pushed along by Jean Stablinski and Vin Denson either side of him (this section is also worth reading for an amusing anecdote involving Denson, a trapped nerve, and an impressive record of his own). Anquetil is about to abandon, but motivated by an insult to his manhood (and, one presumes, several illicit substances), he restarts and wins in a breakaway with Stablinski and Tom Simpson. While we might baulk at how he achieved this, it is worth noting that he gave all his prize money (as did Stablinski) to Denson for his huge part in this success.
It is also worth remembering that doping was not illegal at the time and Anquetil readily admitted it, often to his detriment. He wrote several articles for a French newspaper, including two entitled "Yes, I've Taken Drugs" and "Yes, I've Bought Riders". The outcome of this was that he was banned from the national and world championships as well as seeing lucrative invitations to criteriums dry-up. It seems that spitting in the soup was as bad then for Anquetil as it has remained for the likes of Jorg Jaksche today.
This was a problem as it seems Anquetil was primarily motivated by money. A close second was his motivation to thrash Poulidor at every opportunity. Anquetil raged, perhaps justifiably, that Poulidor was not a rival as he beat him so often. However, as Poulidor was the darling of the French press, he usually got more coverage than him regardless of the result - much to Anquetil's chagrin. Beating Poulidor on his own merits deserves respect - helping others to beat Poulidor when he knew he couldn't win himself shows a less savoury side to Anquetil's character, though they became great friends in later years.
Also unsavoury was Anquetil's complicated love-life: stealing his doctor's wife; having a child with his step-daughter; and having an affair with his step-son's wife all suggest Anquetil was nothing short of despicable. However, you never feel quite able to castigate him for all of this as the women involved speak with such love and affection for the man. It also seems that the doctor's wife actively encouraged her daughter to sleep with Anquetil so that he could have the child he wanted (she was unable to have any more children herself) and the step-son was already in love with another woman when Anquetil began the affair with his wife.
Howard has written an excellent, and ambivalent (as all good biographies should be), account of Jacques Anquetil's life. It is well researched with lots of contemporary accounts of his achievements and many interviews with those who knew him well.
Highly recommended and gives William Fotheringham something to aim for with his Coppi book due next year.
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Product Description
Comic writer Tim Moore trades his ailing Rolls Royce for a bicycle, a map and a water bottle in French Revolutions. This is a quest to pedal the route of the Tour de France, no mean feat for the fit, let alone a self-described suburban slouch. The resulting 2,256-haphazard-mile journey transforms Moore into an incredibly fit and passionately proud cyclist. Initially, Moore takes the "I will do it and it probably will kill me" approach. His normal perspective, as a stooge to life's misfortunes, plays well as he prepares to ride the route of the 2000 Tour de France. Moore is the everyman who pedalled in youth and now wouldn't ride a bike to the corner store. But unlike a traveller by car, train or plane, Moore has to navigate France under his own steam. Somewhere around the Ventoux, the world's windiest place, Moore starts to change. He becomes enraptured by the feat itself as mile by mile he realises he is no longer an accidental cyclist but a lean, mean cycling machine. Gradually, the narrative turns from travel to a personal quest. Along the route, Moore's details of the heroes of the Tour make an excellent primer on this gruelling race and helps the uninitiated understand the frenzy that grips France each July as the races meanders through incidental villages, over mountains and, finally, into Paris. It is worth reading for that alone. Having survived mountains of pain, a disgusting diet and motels of dubious value, a new, muscular Moore concludes that "I might never leave my mark on the Tour, but that didn't matter. It has left its mark on me". To follow Moore's path of perspiration is certainly not a vacation. Yet, this curmudgeonly clever and inspirational book makes one want to do just that. "Old Father Time was catching up with Old Father Tim. If I didn't do it this year, I wouldn't because maybe next year I couldn't," he says before starting out. And that, as Tim Moore so surely points out, is what pushes any true traveller out the door. --Kathleen Buckley
Customer Reviews
It's about courage, desire and perserverence, 04 Aug 2008
One of the best true stories you are ever likely to read. If you want to be inspired whether it be in cycling,sports,work or your overall life then this book will do it for you. Get a good new copy as you will read it again and again.
Lethargy, 02 Jun 2008
The writing style of this book is odd, and at times it reads like a blog or if Lance is recording thoughts and handing them oer to the co-author. In fact the writing style and the short length of the book were the negative points for me. I somehow felt there might be more he could share but then again I guess this is his style, so if you are looking for a great piece of writing you've come to the wrong place. Its also not really an explanation of the cancer experience (I guess thats in the first volume). What it is a description of a man's life, what bothers him, what choices he has made and is making with cancer, his relationship to the disease and the sufferers he actively makes a point of meeting, how he manages to train every day of the year and have a family life (but not very sucessfully as he recently divorced Sheryl Crow- also a cancer sufferer), and his views on lots of issues like religion and even the Iraq war. There is also quite a lot of material which in summary are a dummies guide to how Lance keeps on winning the tour de france, as well as personal feedback on specific races or incidents such as the fall up the mountain in 2003. As a result I think if you are not a cycling or Tour de France fan you would be better off reading the cancer story. However if like me you wanted to get an insight into a sporting and personnal enigma then this is a good read and I couldn't put it down once I'd started.
This book enables even the most ignorant spectator of cycle racing and the Tour de France in particular to appreciate how much more is involved in this sport than the pedalling of the routes of France we see on television. The details Lance Armstrong provides brings both the race and the figures in the peleton to life.
However, much deeper than the insight into this famous race, is the appreciation the reader is able to experience of a very human man with very human failings but incredible strength of purpose and character. He leaves you with the determination to make all your own seconds count.
Amazing!, 24 Mar 2008
This book is truly inspirational and I love it! Heard it on audiobook and loved it so much i'm buying the book!
It's Not About the Bike: My Journney Back to Life, 23 Feb 2008
An excellent book, well written and gives a very open and honest insight into what only can be said is someone who clearly is a great sportsman with a very special talent.
More interesting than inspirational, 30 Jan 2008
As pure inspiration goes I'm not sure this one really hit the spot for me. However it was an entertaining, easy reading walk through armstrongs early years as a bolshie youngster, the shock of cancer and then his recovery back to a world class athlete. I found the most interesting angle was the discussion about how the tour and peleton operate with it's rivalry and gentlemans agreements.
This seems more about one mans journey of discovery and growing up as a man than it is about coming back from cancer.
Great book about a British cycling hero., 09 Oct 2008
Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
Exceptional account about an intriguing man, 14 Sep 2008
Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.
Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend., 31 Aug 2008
My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.
I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.
Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
What more can I say, 08 Jul 2008
The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
Could not put it down, 03 Jul 2008
I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.
I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.
Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).
Ian Reynolds
Good book, if a little disjointed, 16 Nov 2008
Its an interesting book, but as others have said, nothing new in here. The flow of the story is a little dis-jointed and I found myself trying to work out where in the timeline I was half the time. Not a must have book for fans of the Tour De France. What is written is in many cases likely true but I became extremely bored and irrated very quickly with the constant talk of Lance Armstrong and any drug issue. The man has never been tested positive, can we please just let it go now.
Frustration on every page!, 16 Nov 2008
A most frustrating book. Like other reviewers, I was looking for revelation and hoped that a voice of experience may offer true insight, that might help direct my own views in these troubled times of quandary for cycling.
Instead, one ends up feeling very sorry indeed for the writer, who admits himself in closing that he is bitter, but for whom you have had this sense from early in the book.
His insinuation that friendships lost are due to disagreements about doping-stance, might be misplaced? Perhaps people have just become fed up with Mr Whittle namedropping (five a side football with David Milliband, "bike-perving" with Paul Smith), bragging at each good hotel he has visited (The Leeds Hilton, the Docklands Crowne Plaza) or they simply think he's a bit of a prat: 'Ciao Ivan, come stai?' I said, exhausting my Italian in a single sentence'.
Alternatively, perhaps they are fed up at his betrayal of confidence, not over doping but in crossing the line between friend/confidant and journalist for the advancement of his journalistic career (Lance Armstrong, David Millar, Bradley Wiggins), or just run down by his negativity ('Ken Livingstone's attempts to force Londoners to embrace his two wheeled Utopia were washed away by grey skies, foulmouthed builders and doping, doping - always doping'). Incidentally, not how I remember the prologue of the 2007 Tour de France in London!
Just as much a sports fan as Mr Whittle, I care passionately about cleaning up sport, and the essay aspects of his book are to be congratulated, but I did not find it well-written, jumping around too much, leaving one with unanswered questions at key points; often hoping (against hope), that we would be taken back to them later. I found some of the writing trite, perhaps written for a younger generation: "he often went commando, sans underwear".
There is also surely a hypocrisy in someone who admits to having taken amphetamine, albeit at a weak moment in a notoriously difficult bike ride, now commercially benefitting out of criticising professional cyclists for doing just the same.
Whilst shortlisted, this is sadly not for me a Sportsbook of the Year 2008.
A must read , 27 Oct 2008
Like many I have watched the Tour de France on television and marvelled at
the super human achievements of the cyclists who put themselves through this hell. What is even more fascinating, however, are the relationships that exist in this world; not just between the riders, but also the journalists, administrators and financiers. Whittle's book gives a rare insight into how it is to live and work in an environment where people lie and deceive on a daily basis, not because they dislike you, but because
their very survival in this world appears to depend on it.
Other reviews have said that there is nothing new in this book regarding the material facts of the numerous doping scandals. This misses, what I see, as the point of the book. Whittle gives the reader a glimpse of the relationships that exist within elite sport. His relationships with David Millar and Lance Armstrong typify how difficult it has been for Whittle to stay in love with a sport that once gave him so much as a fan, but as part of the professional cycling circus, he struggles to find truth and honour, not least within himself.
I don't believe, as one reviewer states, that Whittle sets out to tie
Armstrong to doping. Armstrong has a place within cycling that is without
precedent, and so you can sense Whittle's growing sense of anger that Armstrong failed to use the power his position afforded him to banish doping from the peloton. Armstrong like everyone else featured in
this book is,neither a hero or villain, but a human being who has fought
to survive in such a hostile environment, something a figure like Marco
Pantani was unable to do.
This is a compelling and often disturbing account of the paradox of loving a
sport, whilst at the same time seeing the lure of success in it challenge
and, in some cases, destroy, relationships and individuals.
A must read.
Wrongly Titled, 07 Oct 2008
Having bought and read many cycling books I mistakingly thought this was going to be an in depth look at the serect life of the Tour de France. Having read the book it is more about one mans campaign to link the name of Lance Armstrong with every doping scandal there has ever been. Whilst the author accepts that Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault in his opinion raced clean, he seems unable to accept that Lance Armstrong may also have raced clean and there are very few chapters where he does not have a personal attack on Lance Armstrong. Jeremy Whittle writes about cheating, I also feel cheated as the book is wrongly titled and should have been titled "Lance Armstrong, how I can link him with every doping scandal". It is a well written book but contains nothing that hasn't been written before apart from the constant references to doping and Lance Armstrong.
Readable and Compelling, 17 Jul 2008
I agree with both of the earlier reviewers. This is a readable, well written and compelling book, as a memoir of Whittle's career as a cycling journalist it is entertaining and as a chronicle of his move from loyal fan to insider to dissapointed cynic it is even quite moving, and to be fair that is how it describes itself.
It is not revelatory though, it is not an 'expose' there is nothing new in the way of evidence, as the first reviewer says, go to Walsh and Kimmage for those but Whilttle never pretends that this is an expose. He gives credit where it due to Walsh to Kimmage to Simeoni, and records his own personal response to these events.
Inspirational and comforting, 21 Aug 2008
I had already read Lance's first book but after being diagnosed with cancer myself I decided to read this one too.
It is the quickest I have ever read a book in my life, I really couldn't put it down. Very easy to read and made me feel much better about by situation. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a bit of a 'pick me up'!
Not much personality.., 04 Mar 2008
You have to admire Lance Armstrong and his fantastic Tour wins. The "is that all you've got" look he gave to Jan Ulrich destroyed him and anybody who thought they were in with a chance on that race. He overcame cancer and led the US Postal and Discovery channel team with aplomb for several years, in the face of many unproven drug rumours.
However driven (extremely) and succesful (more so) he was, this does not make him the type of man you'd like to be stuck in the lift with and it shows in this book. Just not a great read I'm afraid as your fears that most of todays top sportsmen are robotic and lacking in personality are proved right.
Survivor, 22 May 2007
This was written in 2004 after his record 6th consequetive win of the Tour de France. If you've read his first book, this is a very necessary follow up. There is some overlap in the telling of the cancer story but that is to be expected.
We get more details, in some cases very sad details of his personal life and relationship break ups. Through it all it seems as though Lance is starting to grow up a little bit. Perhaps seeming a little less arrogant but maybe that is easy now that he is an undisputed champion.
Never shy of controversy, Armstrong offers, with typical frankness, his thoughts on training, competing, winning and failure. He also tells of the work he does for the foundation he created following his dramatic recovery, addresses the daunting challenge of living in the aftermath of cancer and treatment, and shares further inspirational tales of survival.
A fresh outlook on the spirit of survivors everywhere, Every Second Counts is an awe-inspiring book by a man who strives every day to meet life's challenges - whether on his bike or off. There are more descriptions of his cycling and training strategies here too.
This man is a God. And he deserves more credit. Book is great, 17 May 2007
I remember the (scant British) TV coverage of some of the races described here... heart-pounding stuff! So I have a lot of admiration for any of the participants and nothing but awe for anyone who wins such a grueling race! Now I have been counting up those years because I can't quite believe anyone could win the Tour de France for seven years in a row! Added to this the fact that this man is a survivor of advanced-stage cancer!!
But what about the book? - it is very easy to read - I finished in two or three days and only tiredness forced my to turn out the light! Whatever the contribution of Sally Jenkins it sounds like the voice of Lance Armstrong throughout with no detectable seams. It is well structured too - even if you are familiar with the main events the story comes alive again through Lance's perspective and insights. It is not too technical, ie. you don't have to be a bike fanatics to enjoy!
Do we get to see the inner man? Are the secrets of his success revealed? This is not a "How to..." book, but there are signs: self-belief, preparation, concentration, demanding of self and others, acceptance of pain, prepared to take risks, not giving up, acknowledging and rewarding others, sharing success, developing talent in others..... all good lessons no matter what our goals in life.
But there is also an attempt to paint a balanced and honest picture of this life - we hear about fears of a return of cancer, frustration at the press and French judicial system promoting and exhaustively trying to prove drug abuse, almost despair at the idleness outside the training/race season, the pain at not preventing the break-up of a marriage, and even admission of failure to be as inspirational as expected!
It is hard to find fault - I did think it a little false that everyone he encounters appears to be a friend. And all that self-assurance - not sure I actually like the guy, or would want to be around him for too long... but the books is great!
An OK read, 10 Nov 2006
An account racing in the Tour de France. Partially inspirational. I can't really say this book changed my life. Not as good as other reviews would lead you to believe.
Not a bad read.
Perverty French Man, 03 Jul 2008
"Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape" is an astonishing biography of French cycling star Jacques Anquetil. I had no idea who he was but i bought the book in a Charity shop when i heard about Anquetil's life.
He was the first man to win the Tour de France five times; the first to win all three grand tours (the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia).
He was a notorious dope fiend and he even confessed to this in public (Dope tests did not exist in the sports world back then). As well as dealing with Anquetil's considerable achievements as a cyclist, this book also explores his naughty private life. This French gypsy seduced his doctor's wife; he acted as stepfather to her children before asking his stepdaughter to bear him a child; after his blood-daughter was born, he maintained a menage a trois with his wife and stepdaughter for several years in the same house.
He also had time to seduce his stepson's ex-wife and had a child with her.
Dr.Bee Clarke.
Excellent account of a true great., 30 Jun 2008
Having read widely on cycling, I am rather ashamed to admit I knew virtually nothing about Jacques Anquetil, other than that he won the Tour five times and had a rivalry with Raymond Poulidor. I was, therefore, pleased to see someone had written a biography of the man, and what a worthwhile subject he has proven to be.
Rather sickeningly, Anquetil was, from the very beginning of his career, brilliant. From the age of seventeen, he was winning time trials (his forte) by huge margins against experienced rivals, and, indeed, never lost in the (then) prestigious Grand Prix des Nations, winning it nine times out of nine.
He became "le patron", but without the bullying aggression of Hinault - he stamped his authority by simply riding away from everyone else. However, as Howard suggests, this may well have been through amphetamine use. Howard does not directly link any of his wins to doping but there are several races in which Anquetil began way off the pace (often due to a previous night of excess) only to catch up with a breakaway group and then ride past them to a solo victory.
Perhaps the most astonishing of all was his Dauphine Libere/Bordeaux-Paris (a 557km one-day race) double. The Bordeaux-Paris race began only seven hours after, and six hundred kilometres from, the finish of the Dauphine. Having had no sleep, Anquetil began Bordeaux-Paris exhausted. He was virtually asleep in the saddle for the first part of the race while he was pushed along by Jean Stablinski and Vin Denson either side of him (this section is also worth reading for an amusing anecdote involving Denson, a trapped nerve, and an impressive record of his own). Anquetil is about to abandon, but motivated by an insult to his manhood (and, one presumes, several illicit substances), he restarts and wins in a breakaway with Stablinski and Tom Simpson. While we might baulk at how he achieved this, it is worth noting that he gave all his prize money (as did Stablinski) to Denson for his huge part in this success.
It is also worth remembering that doping was not illegal at the time and Anquetil readily admitted it, often to his detriment. He wrote several articles for a French newspaper, including two entitled "Yes, I've Taken Drugs" and "Yes, I've Bought Riders". The outcome of this was that he was banned from the national and world championships as well as seeing lucrative invitations to criteriums dry-up. It seems that spitting in the soup was as bad then for Anquetil as it has remained for the likes of Jorg Jaksche today.
This was a problem as it seems Anquetil was primarily motivated by money. A close second was his motivation to thrash Poulidor at every opportunity. Anquetil raged, perhaps justifiably, that Poulidor was not a rival as he beat him so often. However, as Poulidor was the darling of the French press, he usually got more coverage than him regardless of the result - much to Anquetil's chagrin. Beating Poulidor on his own merits deserves respect - helping others to beat Poulidor when he knew he couldn't win himself shows a less savoury side to Anquetil's character, though they became great friends in later years.
Also unsavoury was Anquetil's complicated love-life: stealing his doctor's wife; having a child with his step-daughter; and having an affair with his step-son's wife all suggest Anquetil was nothing short of despicable. However, you never feel quite able to castigate him for all of this as the women involved speak with such love and affection for the man. It also seems that the doctor's wife actively encouraged her daughter to sleep with Anquetil so that he could have the child he wanted (she was unable to have any more children herself) and the step-son was already in love with another woman when Anquetil began the affair with his wife.
Howard has written an excellent, and ambivalent (as all good biographies should be), account of Jacques Anquetil's life. It is well researched with lots of contemporary accounts of his achievements and many interviews with those who knew him well.
Highly recommended and gives William Fotheringham something to aim for with his Coppi book due next year.
HIlarious, 15 Nov 2008
Extremely funny, like all of his books. I've actually found this somewhat dangerous to read on the tube into work as I keep laughing out loud. Genius.
Tour de Farce, 12 Sep 2008
didn't really get on with this at all - the central problem was a dislike of Mr Moore - a bit of a moaning cheat, he was rude and miserable to everyone he met, cut corners and thought he'd have a go a using drugs. A few "funny" moments but Bryson on two wheel it is not!
Always pleasing, 26 Nov 2007
Tim Moore has produced a book that makes you laugh out loud yet again.
This one is slightly different as you suspect Moore had started to lose his mind before he even began his journey - the Tou | | |