Rating: 
Summary: The Most Inspirational Book I've Read In A Long Time
Review: As a long-time cyclist, and past Olympic hopeful who lost sight of the dream, this book has motivated me to get back on the bike and do my best in competitive cycling once again. As the grandson of a cancer survivor and the friend of a few others, the vivid description of his triumph over tragedy and his fierce determination has inspired me to get off my duff and do something about it. I am proud to join the multitudes of others who have joined Lance's Peleton Project and Ride for the Roses cancer projects. The book is well written. It brings you to tears out of tragedy in some areas, and brings tears during some of the triumphs. I read this 280 page book in 3 days - never regretting a moment of it. If you have an interest in cycling, the Tour de France or cancer - pick up this book. You won't regret it!
Rating: 
Summary: Motivating
Review: After reading Lance's book, I felt I could accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. Lance is an incredible athlete, although, this book reveals the humanness of Lance. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16. If it weren't for the bad language and other negative parts, I would recommend it to anyone. I learned much about Lance, the Race, life and even childbirth from this book. You will too.
Rating: 
Summary: Good cycling stuff...so-so everything else.
Review: I was somewhat torn as to what to rate this book. On the one hand , Armstrong does an excellent job of expressing what it feels like to be a world-class cyclist and the emotions that go into racing in the Tour de France. I particularly enjoyed his description of his training. He is indeed an incredible athlete. I was also impressed with his recovery from cancer. It was a miracle of both modern medicine and his incredible faith and fighting spirit that he not only survived, but went on to improve his already impressive racing career. He was very thankful of the doctors and staff that helped him along, as well as being appreciative of his friends and family who supported him. All of this being said, I found it hard to read at times. His writing was not great, and sometimes I found him to be a annoying. Not having had cancer, I cannot claim to understand how it feels, but I don't think it gives him the right to be a jerk as he sometimes comes off in the book. I understand that some of his cockiness is why he is so successful at cycling, but he mistreats his wife and some of his friends throughout the book as they try to help him through depression and the physical torment of his recovery from cancer. He passes these times when he is inconsiderate or selfish as "they understand that I it was not a time to talk to me about this..." or "she's such a stud because she understands why I need to do this." I didn't find many places where he did anything for his wife/girlfriend...it was mainly about how she sacrificied for him. At other times, I disliked how he whined about how teams wouldn't pay him top dollar when he came back--"They only wanted to pay me $250,000 which is like the minimum for a rider like me." We should only have such problems. In any case, I found it hard to like him during these times and wanted him to get back to the cycling parts. One other thing I almost laughed at everytime I noticed was that he tries to throw in a bunch of "one-liners." They may have had a different effect when he said them in person, but when he quotes them in the book, they come off as cheesy and amateurish writing. I guess the main thing is that I enjoyed reading the book. My thoughts were that it was really incredible that a person would kick cancer and then go on to be one of the best cyclist in the world. I found the details of his training and racing as well as his cancer treatment fascinating and inspiring. However, as I read it, I wished the person who accomplished all of this would have been a nicer person.
Rating:
Summary: Motivating
Review: After reading this book I felt motivated. Motivated to do anything. The feeling of the previous reviews also shed the same light as I felt. I would recommend this book to anyone over 15. It has some language and parts that may not be suitable for children. I learned a lot about life, death, bikes, racing, and even childbirth. I also learned much about Lance. I had an unrealistic opinion about him, but after reading the book, I realized that Lance is only human. Lance, I am praying for you!
Rating:
Summary: BEANS!!
Review: In my best professional opinion, this book will go down in history as the best books ever. I've never read a more touching story. I was brought to tears many times. I've never had the luck of experiencing cancer, first hand, and let me tell you, now I don't ever want to. This book inspired me like nothing else before. He has given me strength to overcome a number of my problems, including rickets and ADD. Without him I don't know what I'd do. I used to hate vitamin C. Now, with Lance's encouragement, its not so bad. I've read many autobiographies in my day, and none are as deep or interesting as this one. His writing style is very easy to read. This is important to someone with ADD, like me. It also makes it fun to read. This book is a good bathroom reader, which is where I do the majority of my reading. I've read this book twice so far, and I plan on reading it again. I truly love this book. Anyone can read it, not just bicycle enthusiasts. Because, as we know, its not about the bike. If you want to be taken on a journey, a journey back to life, I suggest you pick up this book. Lance Armstrong is a great writer, and I'm no slouch either. Well, I shouldn't sell myself so short. I'm a fantastic slouch. Happy reading! BEANS!!
Rating:
Summary: Great motovational read...
Review: When Lance Armstrong was an up and coming rider, I always thought he had such a cocky attitude (some is good, too much is bad). But this book puts alot ot that in perspective and helps me to understand how a man can overcome adversity, change his life, succeed when no one thinks he can, and become a change person. Lance Armstrong is not a saint, and some of the critiscsms from earlier reviews are unnecessary, but neither are many of us and that's why the book is so good.
Rating:
Summary: Multi-facet reading
Review: Lance offers a bit of something for everyone in this book. Something for the athlete that needs motivation, something for those overcoming serious illness, something for kids to admire, and a wake-up call for adults who think life is so damn rough. His childhood is somewhat slow reading but does make the point that even the most under-privileged kid can make something of themselves. Highly recommended for the young who just need the realization that everyone can overcome life's obstacles.
Rating:
Summary: His Personality Comes Through
Review: When I picked this book up I knew the same amount about his form of cancer and international bike racing - that is to say nothing. I became interested in him after he recently won his 4th Tour de France. I was thinking the book would be one of those super positive books that came close to a self-help text. I was wrong, the book was very interesting and detailed his problems without the sticky sweet self-help overlay. I did not expect the detail though on all his medical procedures, all I can say is that I hope I never have half of this done to me. I really enjoyed the detail he goes into on the training and all the pain that he goes through. He also very down to earth, I wonder just how raw the book would have been if not for professional writer he hired. I also thought that his real personality comes through, that is the hard charger that is very sure of him self. I guess one would either have to be or being at the top of your profession makes you that way. This ego, for lack of a better word, was the only real negative I found with the book. Overall it was a very interesting and uplifting book.
Rating:
Summary: Pedaling for Life
Review: Touching story of beating the odds. A man, his mom, his bike, his friends, his health, his family. Armstrong matures as cyclist to world fame in France, and matures as human with epic battle with cancer. Life is precious commodity that at times we all take for granted. Lance still wrestles with the mystery of it all, not grasping its entirety, yet celebrating what comes next on the road, pumping as fast and hard as he can toward its finish line. Captivating background of his past. Especially important moment came when he lost his first pro event. His coach Carmichael had this monumental words for him: "Lance, you are going to learn more from that experience than any other race in your whole life." Learn well, this man does. Obstacle after obstacle he pedals, over, through, around. Absence of father, youth, inexperience, cancer, comeback, new husband, fathering. He's a winner. Still yearn for him to meet the mystery to life, the one who has overcame the race we each must conquer: physical death. A great book by a leading cancer doctor: "Measuring Our Days" speaks of this doctor's experience with terminal cancer and death. He wishes someone could relate to him who has gone through and conquered it. Amazingly someone has! Jesus of Nazareth! The mystery and wonder and awe of it all! Lance is close, but not there yet. Would that the Spirit would grab him.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration
Review: I have followed Lance's career and still can't believe what he has overcome and what he has accomplished. He didn't have an easy life as a child, but he refused to make excuses. Some might call him cocky, but you don't get to be the best by being a patsy. My friend gave this book to a co-worker who was dying of inoperable cancer, and it provided a great lift for her. She's still in dire straits, but everytime she feels like giving up, she picks up Lance's book and it provides her with the needed passion to continue her fight. The Tour de France may be the toughest physical test there is, but Lance conquered it four times, just as he conquered cancer. Is he bitter? What would you feel if your boss fired you while you lay on your death bed, leaving you with no medical insurance? Unbelievable strength and inspiration is what this book provides.
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