Lance Armstrong's War: One Man's Battle Against Fate, Fame, Love, Death, Scandal, and a Few Other Rivals on the Road to the Tour de France
by Daniel Coyle
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 142)
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Cycling afficianados
Coyle details one cycling season in the life of this sports icon. It is not just any season. It starts at the beginning of his attempt to win his sixth consecutive Tour de France. The iron man is off balance a bit. Divorce behind him, a blasphemous book about to be published accusing him of blood doping, intrigue in the cycling world, teams in shambles, and don't forget his new girlfriend Sheryl Crow. A great set up for catastrophe if I ever saw one. But you already know the rest of the stor...more
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Read in January, 2005
This book pretty much rules. If you have an interest in professional cycling, you’ve probably already read it. If you don’t have an interest in pro cycling, well, you should. No sport mixes cutting edge science, the limits of human endurance, complex tactics and horrific physical pain into a more engaging final product. I mean come on, I know all about hemocrit levels thanks to my interest in little dudes in tights.
This book is first about a report following Lance’s attempt to gain a s...more
This book is first about a report following Lance’s attempt to gain a s...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
those of you interested in the science, strategy and politics of cycling
I don't normally read books like this: one off topical books by journalists looking to cash in on some sort of phenomenon. 300 page articles with a hard cover, a 25 dollar price tag, fated to end up in yard sales in 10 years, picked up for a dollar and an ounce of curiosity. (I bought it because it was on sale at the Strand for four dollars.) I don't even really like Lance Armstrong, he just seems like a highly motivated, highly aggressive, umm, dickhead. (And hypocrite. How could he NOT have do...more
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Read in June, 2006
Okay, so I'm a pro-cycling fan, so this book was a bit more interesting to me than it would be to those who don't follow pro-cycling. BUT, let me say that I'm also not a die-hard cycling follower. The Tour de France gives me more joy every summer than anything I can think of, and I also enjoy watching smaller events throughout the year - Tour de Georgia, Tour de California, etc. The thing is, I love stories of personal struggles & triumphs. I love stories about the human process, and thi...more
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Read in January, 2008
This book was interesting - I couldn't decide whether it made me respect Lance more or less after reading his first autobiography (It's Not About the Bike). I thought the author portrayed him and his colleagues fairly - he didn't try to make Lance look better and others worse. But I still don't know if I think Lance is the "real thing." Is he a doper or not? I don't know. Perhaps we never will. But either he is one of the greatest--or the absolute greatest--athlete of all time, ...more
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Read in March, 2008
Really good read and great insight into a very intriguing sport.
Lots of interesting characters...both riders and those who are on the side of the road. Some are good; some, not so good.
A must read for any cyclist or anyone trying to understand bicycle racing. A good read for anyone interested in exploring another aspect of the sports entertainment industry, associated worldwide organizations, and entwining politics.
Lots of interesting characters...both riders and those who are on the side of the road. Some are good; some, not so good.
A must read for any cyclist or anyone trying to understand bicycle racing. A good read for anyone interested in exploring another aspect of the sports entertainment industry, associated worldwide organizations, and entwining politics.
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
Tour followers
Dan Coyle had unprecedented access to Team Armstrong insiders; the details in his storytelling let the seven-time champion's actions and words reveal his demons, motivation, discipline and pressures, as well as explore the doping rumors and associated cast of characters without making judgments. "War" goes light years beyond the "authorized" books. It thoroughly covers the business end of the cycling world, and shows what a Tour champion's life, regimen, technical support and...more
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
Any cyclist
I never had the patience to watch the Tour de France, particularly when I knew what the outcome would be (like watching any regular season games for the Yanks), so this was TDF 101 for me. Amrstrong is an animal - mentally and physically. While I never really considered cycling a "sport", this book set me straight. I still need straightening out on jockeys, though. This is an easy read and worth the time if you have ever ridden something other than your childhood Huffy.
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recommends it for:
sports gurus and inspiration searchers
Another great account about the man who punished himself 7 times over to win the hardest race on earth. The inside track revealed in this book offers a glimpse into the life of not only Armstrong, but the scores of other professional cyclists. Individuals who pedal hundreds of miles and see country sides that most of us only dream about share the experiences with the reader. Great time with this one.
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I really enjoyed this book because Daniel Coyle isn't about kissing Lance's butt like everyone else. He sheds light on the other side of Armstrong and tells great cycling stories in the process. He asks the hard questions and puts cycling under the doping microscope, but does it with the respect these athletes deserve as well.
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Read in November, 2007
Not as much a biography of Armstrong as a in-depth look at doping and the brutal world of professional cycling. Excellent, simple explanations of a complicated sport, the book made me want to ride more and taught me cool facts that I am now endlessly reciting.
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The best modern cycling book that I've read. A great behind- the-scenes of the preparations leading up to the Tour de France. Skillfully written and very informative to die hard cycling fans while at the same time interesting to non-cycling civilians.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
People interested in professional cycling
This book is not as much about just Lance, as it is about his rivals and professional cycling. I learned a lot about cycling and feel that I can now better communicate with my husband about his training. I'm glad I read this!
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Read in August, 2006
Fascinating glimpse inside the world of professional cycling. You get to see personalities of some of the best known cyclists in the world. Portrays Lance Armstrong as being rather cold and calculating.
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
people who like cycling, biography, egomaniacs
Best book I've ever read about cycling. Great profile of Armstrong--doesn't paint him as a saint--shows him for what he is, a flawed, unbelievably motivated, unbelieveably talented asshole.
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Read in August, 2006
what can i say? i love lance. even with one nut, the dude's a freakin' stud. and what's up with sheryl and usin' only one sheet of TP?! no wonder lance didn't want her ridin' his bikes!
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Read in January, 2005
All the books on Armstrong seem to be pretty similar. There's nothing really new here, but it's a little less biased than some, and it has some pretty cool quotes
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Read in July, 2006
A great read. I've enjoyed watching the Tour for several years, but I never felt like I understood how cycling teams work until I read this book.
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Really pulled me into the fast paced, no mercy, world of professional cycling. Also a look into one of sports most fascinating psyche.
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Read in July, 2007
Good read while the Tour de France is on TV. It explains a lot about the tour and cycling. Easy read. A bit biased toward Armstrong.
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