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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 (Goodreads Author)
"Lance Armstrong's War" is the extraordinary story of greatness pushed to its limits, a vivid, behind-the-scenes portrait of Armstrong--perhaps the most accomplished athlete of our time--as he faces his biggest test: a historic sixth straight victory in the Tour de France, the toughest sporting event on the planet.
Made newly vulnerable by age, fate, fame, doping
...moreHardcover
Published
by HarperCollins Publishers
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Even better than Armstrong's two autobiographical books, in which you feel he is giving you just the tightly-controlled slices of information he wants to tell, and nothing else. This book is a more objective look at the man, the myth, the yellow jersey that is Lance Armstrong. There are some great details of the cycling world also --can't recall the exact terms, but the chapter on how all the riders check out each other's fitness level with the 'side-pinch' and the 'ass-check,' is hilarious, as ...more
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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I started this book in honor of the Tour de France and as acknowledgment of the power of persistance. I finished it, because it was really really good. Daniel Coyle, a contributing editor for Outside magazine and author of Hardball: A Season in the Projects (a book about his experiences as a little league coach in Chicago's former Cabrini-Green housing projects), was tremendously successful at his own dance on the razors-edge of gaining access to Armstrong and many other well-known cyclists a...more
Excellent in-depth analysis of the world of pro cycling. Daniel Coyle takes you deep inside the pro peloton giving the cycling fan unprecedented access to some of the key figures in cycling over the last ten years.
Coyle follows Armstrong and a few of his rivals for a season, culminating with the Tour de France. While Coyle never outright bashes Armstrong, he paints an often-unflattering picture of an obsessed (yes, it is about the bike), controlling, trapped-in-perpetual-adolescence celebrity/athlete who lives his life in sound bites, surrounds himself with "bros," and works harder than anyone in the sport. Tyler Hamilton, one of the rivals, must have made a better impression on Coyle, though Co...more
This nonfiction examination of Lance Armstrong’s performance in the 7th tour de France he won provides an inside look at bicycle racing and the competition it breeds. The author doesn’t just give details about Lance and what he has accomplished. The book features interviews and data about many of the major competitors. It unabashedly looks at the evidence for and against Lance’s claim never to have used performance drugs. It does, however, record the language of the participants, complete ...more
If you want an entertaining lesson in the pro cycling peloton there is no other stop than this book. Mr. Coyle takes you into the training rooms, down ever descent, and up every hill climb giving you a real look at what the peloton is really like.
Coyle doesn't shirk the controversies either. He hits the doping scandals head on and gives all sides a proper hearing.
The real triumph here though is the sheer readability and entertainment contained in the book.
Coyle p...more
Coyle doesn't shirk the controversies either. He hits the doping scandals head on and gives all sides a proper hearing.
The real triumph here though is the sheer readability and entertainment contained in the book.
Coyle p...more
Bill Palladino
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Cycling afficianados
Shelves:
nonfiction
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
Jamie
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those of you interested in the science, strategy and politics of cycling
Shelves:
non-fic
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
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...more
This book is first about a report following Lance’s attempt to gain a...more
This book pulled me in because I find the dedication these guys have to the sport fascinating. Plus, I find the question of the use of performance enhancing drugs, its acceptance (or not?) in the sport intriguing because of the morality (not religious, but the right and wrong of it all) questions it involves, plus I think there are huge health risks involved that seem to be overlooked by the racers. If a guy is doping, and confesses, three cheers to him no matter the cost - and if he is doping, ...more
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 this bo...more
I really hope he didn't dope,but it looks weird.I did some sketchy stuff when I was racing,nothing illegal,but I wasn't TDF.He's been an amazing athlete since his teens,so it should be no surprise what he's done.But he's had some questionable associations.So has Barry Bonds,but he wasn't tested like Armstrong.Good read,Coyle has done a lot of writing about cycling,he knows his stuff.
I don't think there's a more visual author than David Coyle.
I actually wrote him an email to mention this, and he's a solid fellow as he replied and we had a couple of back and forths.
Great read though. Like I said, his recounts of his times spent with Lance and the Team are so visual that it makes you feel like biking. So I biked a lot when I was reading this.
I actually wrote him an email to mention this, and he's a solid fellow as he replied and we had a couple of back and forths.
Great read though. Like I said, his recounts of his times spent with Lance and the Team are so visual that it makes you feel like biking. So I biked a lot when I was reading this.
This is a far better insight into Armstrong at his competitive best. The book begins at a time of turmoil and change in his personal life and takes the reader through the 2004 Tour. Intensity, focus, emotional and physical demands. They are all there.
If anyone wants to read of this champion at his competitive finest, this may be the book for you.
If anyone wants to read of this champion at his competitive finest, this may be the book for you.
A great run-down of how a modern cycling team operates. It provides a good behind-the-scenes look at the training, technology, and work that goes in to competing in the world's toughest cycling event.
I am particularly fond of this book, as I think the race it covers, the 2004 Tour de France, is one of the most exciting editions in years.
I am particularly fond of this book, as I think the race it covers, the 2004 Tour de France, is one of the most exciting editions in years.
By the end I felt like racing to the Champs-Elyees. I'm pretty sure I wasn't wearing the yellow jersey, though.
Lance is an interesting character in a tour full of interesting characters. His story is inspiring, but at times frustrating. He's not a simple lovable hero. I could see why the French were annoyed.
Lance is an interesting character in a tour full of interesting characters. His story is inspiring, but at times frustrating. He's not a simple lovable hero. I could see why the French were annoyed.
Chip's actually reading it, often to me. It's a very interesting look into the world of professional, international cycling. I think that there's a lot mire that goes on behind the scenes and during the races than most people realize. If you are remotely interested in cycling this is an interesting book to read.
Really a good book, no matter how you feel about Lance. The author has a very nice way of putting sentences together. Readability is very nice. Lots of good info on how the Tour de France works. Book focuses on the season of his record breaking 6th Tour victory. From prep to the victory podium.
As a cyclist who follows the sport, I generally shy away from books on the subject as they tend to rehash stuff I already know. But this book gives an excellent insight into the man and his motivations while not overdoing the basics (which are available in an appendix if desired).
This was an intriguing insight into the world of professional cycling. It was well written and captured the pressures, histories, humor, moods and personalities of many of the top athletes (at that time). Thank goodness this book is not completely focused on "planet lance."
I picked this book up on Friday night, read an excerpt, and had a hard time putting it down. Not a whole lot of new information, but a different perspective than I've read before.
Now I am going to have to find time today to watch some 2004 TdF highlights.
Now I am going to have to find time today to watch some 2004 TdF highlights.
A great book that goes well beyond Lance Armstrong and provides sketches of riders like Landis, Hamilton, and Ullrich. The book also takes a pragmatic approach to cycling culture and both the romance and reality of the Tour de france.
The author goes into various aspects of lance armstrong's career and a very enjoyable read. You can expect a lot from his races, but the best part is the backstories and historical events regarding cycling that the author explains.
I couldn't put this book down. The inside look at the world of pro-cycling during the 2004 Tour de France and all that led up to it was fascinating. I enjoyed getting to know the players and the dynamics that make up this crazy sport.
I liked this book. I didn't love it, but it got really good towards the end with the play-by-play of the 2004 Tour de France. If the whole book had traveled at the speed of the peloton, I might have given it another star.
this book tells of Lances 6th tour de france victory and the strugles that he and the other top riders must go through. This book is great for any person who is interested in cycling and some who arn't.
I understand a book like this is not for everyone, but if you have any interest in the daily lives of Tour de France riders and Lance you will love this book. Everyone I let read it said they were hooked.
A great peek into the world of cycling. If you are not familiar with the sport you should definatly read this book. It will make you wish the US followed cycling more.
The three stars is because I'm a pro-cycling fan and avid cyclist and found the science behind what these guys do fascinating. If you aren't into this sport the discussions of power per kilogram and cadence may be too much for you to bear for 300+ pages. It's also intersting to get a behind the scenes look at (who I believe) is one of the most fascinating sports icons ever, whether you're a fan of him or not. However, if you cut out the tech-talk, this is basically a really long magazine arti...more
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Author of the New York Times bestseller Lance Armstrong’s War, Hardball: A Season in the Projects, Waking Samuel, and most recently The Talent Code. Coyle has written for Sports Illustrated, Play, and the New York Times Magazine. His work has appeared multiple times in Best American Sports Writing, and he is a two-time National Magazine Award finalist. He lives in Homer, Alaska, with his wife Jen...more
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