It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life (Thorndike Press Large Print Biography Series) - Hardcover

Armstrong, Lance; Jenkins, Sally

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786229004 ISBN 13: 9780786229000

Publisher: Thorndike Pr, 2000

Synopsis

People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong—a world-class athlete nearly struck down in his prime, who came back to win the world's most grueling test of cycling, the Tour de France. It's Not About the Bike is the story of Armstrong's journey from inauspicious beginnings through triumph, tragedy, transformation, and transcendence. Though he's a hero to millions, he never adopts a hero's pose. In his down-to earth Texas style, he tells of his childhood, early success, near-fatal cancer, recovery, survivorship, victory in the 1999 Tour de France, marriage, and first-time fatherhood. Everyone knows Lance Armstrong is a passionate and fearless competitor. It's Not About the Bike reveals what is truly heroic about the man: his depth of character and generosity of spirit.

About this title

Review:

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

Review:

"If you read one sports book this year, this is the one" (Express on Sunday)

"This is a gripping story" (Guardian)

"So darn riveting that it simply cannot be put down" (Time Out)

"Having nearly lost his life Lance Armstrong serves up his story for the rest of the world to wonder at, shudder at and learn from" (Guardian)

"Armstrong’s tale of his recovery from cancer remains compelling and inspirational. It has already brought comfort to millions of sufferers and their families, and will continue to do so" (Daniel Friebe Outdoor Fitness)

About this edition

• Publisher: Thorndike Pr
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0786229004
• ISBN 13: 9780786229000
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 435