For eight years, the Tour de France, arguably the world’s most demanding athletic competition, was ruled by two men: Lance Armstrong and Floy...
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reviews
Nov 09, 2011
Nick
rated it: 
I imagine that most people who pick up a book like this are already fans of pro cycling. I heard about it as parts of it are often quoted to support various critics' stances on drugs in the sport. The arguments about drugs in cycling are well-known and well-worn, so the main thing I wanted from this book, I suppose, was something new on the subject, and in that respect I think it delivered.
I'm not sure where I stand in relation to the drugs, to be honest. I began to realise by the ear More...
I'm not sure where I stand in relation to the drugs, to be honest. I began to realise by the ear More...
Jun 13, 2010
Andy
rated it: 
I picked this book up a few days ago. I know David Walsh as a European sportswriter and somebody who is well known to be skeptical and antagonistic of Lance Armstrong (who refers to DW as a 'troll').
It's pretty depressing to read a book that spends 325 pages tearing down the sport and its heroes. I wanted to read it after the recent Landis admission and allegations against L.A.
D.W. systematically picks apart each of L.A.'s arguments over the years and is fairly convinci More...
It's pretty depressing to read a book that spends 325 pages tearing down the sport and its heroes. I wanted to read it after the recent Landis admission and allegations against L.A.
D.W. systematically picks apart each of L.A.'s arguments over the years and is fairly convinci More...
Aug 15, 2011
Danny
rated it: 
News of Lance Armstrong's return to competitive bike racing got me back into the sports after giving it up 20 years ago; after i forgot my drivers license. Being a person moved by what LA has done for cancer, charity, mankind and the sport I was a cynic and thought twice before picking up this book. Many of the evidence provided in the loop are hearsay or circumstantial. Is it true? Does it matter? At the end how much of the book is true doesnt matter to me as the truth is still out there...The
More...
Feb 25, 2008
Kim
rated it:
Did convince me (like anyone really needs convincing) just how doping-riddled cycling is, but I think did a much weaker job in the accusation against Lance. And any talk of Landis was seemingly tacked on just to boost sales, or maybe to titillate European readers with the "American doping controversy".
Yes, I did come away believing Lance did dope, but also came away with the belief that he really "had" to if he wanted to stay competitive. There's one odd chapt More...
Yes, I did come away believing Lance did dope, but also came away with the belief that he really "had" to if he wanted to stay competitive. There's one odd chapt More...
Apr 20, 2009
Anna Lisa
rated it:
I'm a huge cycling fan, so it was with a little apprehension that I grabbed this book at an airport book store one day. The book is juicy, so it's a fast read. But it fails to provide a compelling argument for proving that Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis did indeed dope their way to Tour de France victory. Everything seems to be based on hearsay and a creative connecting of various dots. I wasn't sold. I'm still Armstrong and Landis fans. Call me dumb, but I believe they road clean.
Oct 05, 2011
Garrett
rated it:
Walsh has an axe to grind against Lance Armstrong, the focus of this book on doping in professional cycling. He gathers all available evidence, much of it circumstantial, and presents his case. It's fascinating stuff, really. I enjoyed the book, but preferred Jeremy Whittle's Bad Blood.
Aug 21, 2008
Lynda
rated it:
with the understanding that this author did several books on Armstrong, none of which are in a favorable light, I am trying to read this with a grain (pound?) of salt. Not that I am a huge Armstrong fan, but, I'll try to reserve judgement... there is one more book that we have to read, on Floyd Landis, I believe..
Update 8/21 - Having finished this book, my thoughts were that of course, in Lance's book, he would not have mentioned the doping, but this one makes a pretty good case that he More...
Update 8/21 - Having finished this book, my thoughts were that of course, in Lance's book, he would not have mentioned the doping, but this one makes a pretty good case that he More...
Jul 31, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
So many assertions the reader is asked to take for granted. A shame, there is obviously so much to be told about drugs in cycling (and not just pro), but this book amounts to little more than tawdry storytelling.
Pro athletes are not heroes and role models, no news here.
Pro athletes are not heroes and role models, no news here.
Dec 16, 2009
Bob
rated it:
you kiddin' me? i love this stuff!! who cares if they're dopin'?! the tour dee france is the greatest sportin' spectacle on earth!!!!
whoa! this dude suggests that ol' lance got nut cancer from dopin' as far back as when he was a junior racer. YIKES!!!
lance's gonna be pissed about this book. he already hates the author.
the evidence adduced is pretty persuasive though.
but again--who cares. it's great to watch!!
finished da book. i love lan More...
whoa! this dude suggests that ol' lance got nut cancer from dopin' as far back as when he was a junior racer. YIKES!!!
lance's gonna be pissed about this book. he already hates the author.
the evidence adduced is pretty persuasive though.
but again--who cares. it's great to watch!!
finished da book. i love lan More...
Jan 20, 2011
Mark
rated it:
This book is less about Armstong and Landis' transgressions and more about the culture of drugs and next level cheating that goes on in Pro Cycling. A fast credible read.
Feb 03, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Should be required reading for every fan of professional cycling. In light of Landis's confessions, the book has even more credibility now than when it was published.
Aug 04, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Interesting perspective of the doping seen with all the new stuff surfacing it is more interesting then ever. You need to know about cycling to understand this book.
Jul 28, 2008
Stacy
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This book was written from an insider's perspective and revealed a lot about the world of professional cycling. While, I learned quite a bit, I would have to say that ignorance is bliss and I preferred not knowing some fo what was discussed in the book. Some of my heros fell in my eyes.
Dec 17, 2009
Chris
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The stories about Lance and Landis are the least interesting parts about this book. The stories from former cyclists about how they got involved in doping, however, are extremely interesting and valuable for cycling fans. The chapter about Andreau is worth the price of the book alone.
Oct 05, 2007
Jodi
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I must admit I was naive about the doping culture in professional cycling. I couldn't put this book down. A must read for cycling enthusiasts....though the professional sport will leave a bad taste in your mouth (if watching The Tour already hasn't).
Aug 10, 2008
Clive
rated it:
Interesting, tough to look at that era of cycling the same afterward, but its also quite clear that the author has a hard on for bringing down Armstrong, which makes you take this with a grain of salt.
Still broken hearted about Landis.
Still broken hearted about Landis.
Jul 06, 2007
Ben
rated it:
This is a very compelling and well researched book. Dave Walsh has done a good job at getting behind the scenes and weaving together an engaging story.
Nov 16, 2011
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