Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring!
Review: As increadible as Lance Armstrong's third consecutive Tour De France victory is, it pales in comparison to his victory over cancer. Lance himself has said on numerous occasions that the Tour is much easier than the horrific cancer treatments he was forced to endure, and when you read this book, you'll believe him. "It's Not About the Bike" is a truly enjoyable read. It is the type of book you can sit down and blaze through in an afternoon, or, if you want a more leisurly pace, over the course of three or four evenings. It gives a brief account of Armstrong's rise to success as well as some insider information into some of his more impressive early victories. Then it descendes into the painful world of a cancer patient. As impressive as Armstrong's cycling victories are, you almost begin to forget that part of his life as you learn about what the cancer treatments put him through. By the time the cancer victory has been achieved, the Tour De France win seems more like icing on the cake than the real achievement. Lance Armstrong is an increadibly interesting personality that the general public knows almost nothing about. As an athlete, what he is doing on the pavement is almost unprecidented. He is starting to have the apperance of, not just a Tour winner, but one of the great men. It seems he has the potential to go after the record 5th or even 6th tour win (a feat no other racer has achieved). In Lance's book you see what it takes, both on the physical and mental side of the equation. Like all endurance athletes, Lance had, before cancer, displayed an awesome ability to fight off infection. He simply has a body that can take a tremendous amount of abuse and come through strong. But you get the sense as you read, that what cancer did for Lance was further temper an already iron will. He learned a level of discipline that almost goes on human potential and he learned it because he had to to survive. Although he undoubtably has always had the body to be a tour winner, cancer strengthened his will to the point where he is now almost unbeatable. It is a shame that the American media pays so little attention to the Tour De France. The race is bar none the most difficult sporting event in the world. Many of the top professional athletes in the world are unable to finish not because of injury but simply because they can't physically go on. This is not something you see in any other event. Armstrong's victories are a testament to iron will and meticulous preperation. The argument could be made that he is the greatest athlete America has ever produced. A three-peat in the tour puts him in an elite group of only a handful of racers that have participated in an event that has been going on for a hundred years. Combine this with the fact that Armstrong battled back against horrific cancer treatments that often totaly destroy the body of the patient, and you have a story that is simply miraculous. There is no greater example of the human spirit, or the American spirit than Lance Armstrong. It is simply a sin that he is not spoken of with the same godlike reverence that accompanies Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods. If you want to make up for this in some small way, take it upon yourself to learn about the man yourself. This is a story that every American should know.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate race!
Review: Lance holds nothing back, in "It's Not About the Bike". Relationships, (both good and bad) throughout his life, vivid descriptions of healthy life and competition, and of course gut wrenching detail of cancer treatments are presented throughout the book. The final chapters put the reader in the tour, exposing the strategy behind the race, as well as the battles fought in the mind, and against the other competitors.It's the ultimate comeback story of a world class athlete, young and on the rise, who is faced with his own mortality when cancer intervenes. Lance begins with his early days, competing and winning with brute force, no strategy just an all out attack. Like any competitive athlete, he expresses his feelings of invincibility, and continues this belief until cancer just can't be ignored. The medical procedures, the chemo, and it's sickening effects are described in vivid detail. Cancer becomes the opponent, and ultimately Lance wins. It's a book about growing, maturing, and pushing on in the face of adversity. Following the battle with cancer, Lance battles himself, when making a comeback to the competitive circuit. On several occasions the decision is made to throw in the towel, to retire from competition. With the support of those around him, Lance is able to dig deep within himself and find the courage and determination to come back and win the Tour. Truly and incredible autobiography, about living, learning, growing, and maturing. An amazing book!
Rating:
Summary: A peak into the life of a champion
Review: Ever wondered what drives a champion? Do you liked being inspired? Then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Lance Was Right: It Wasn't About the Bike
Review: I am not an athlete, nor interested in sports, but I am always fascinated by how different people react to what life hands them. That's why I chose to read IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE, and I was not disappointed. The book itself is very easy reading, and each chapter chronicles the changes in Lance Armstrong from cocky, maverick competitor to humbled cancer patient ("I was brought low, and there was nothing to take refuge in but the philosophical: this disease would force me to ask more of myself as person than I ever had before, and to seek out a different ethic [p.99].") to the winner of the Tour de France who had learned from his suffering to be a more compassionate, tolerant, and understanding human being. Indeed, Armstrong made an acronym out of the word cancer: Courage, Attitude, Never give up, Curability, Enlightenment, and Remembrance of my fellow patients, that will hold him in good stead for the rest of his life. After reading IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE, I find myself wishing that Lance's life will be a long, healthy, and meaningful one. Something tells me that it will...
Rating:
Summary: Way to go Lance and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!
Review: I must say after just finishing this book, I am seeing life with a new perspective. I have not had to fight the illness that Lance triumphed over with such dignity but I have had many obstacles in my life as well that I am not completely over. I also battle an illness though on a different level. From learning about Lance's childhood, his mother, his hometown, how he got into cycling, his battle and courageous win over the "Tour de Cancer" and the "Tour de France", I have the utmost respect for this great guy!! He is an angel himself showing us all the power of perserverance and the power of positive thinking. I am so happy to hear he is healthy, married and happy, a proud father, and most of all...a tremendous HUMAN BEING!!! Thank you for telling your story. That could not be easy to open up to the whole world on many private battles and it just goes to show what a fantastic guy you are! Lance, you are the GOLD!!!! You have earned it in every way! I recommend to anyone who wants to read a heartwarming story that will inspire you...
Rating:
Summary: Hopefully will inspire teenage readers
Review: This book was great. I found it in the library at the school where I teach. As a busy teacher, I don't always have the time to read for pleasure. I made time for this book. It was great. You learn about cycling, but greater still, you learn how to cope with a traumatic disease. I hope that the students at my school will take the time to read this book. Hopefully his book will inspire them to read more nonfiction books. The sad thing, though, is that his personal life has changed since this book was written. Perhaps in a few years (after more Tour de France wins), he will write a sequel updating us on his life. I now have a reason to watch the Tour de France and other cycling events.
Rating:
Summary: What an amazing book!
Review: I'm a woman. I'm not a cyclist. I've never had cancer. I read mostly fiction. But this book absolutely blew me away. So much more than an athlete bio, this is a wonderfully told, brilliantly written story of a real American hero. The play-by-play cycling coverage is fascinating even to a non-cyclist and the detailed discussion of Lance's illness, treatment, and recovery is beyond inspiring. The look inside Lance's childhood, his love life, his amazing journey into fatherhood, and his role as a cancer activist is what brings the whole story home. So much more than a story of athletic achievement and cancer recovery, this is a story about triumph of the human spirit. I can't wait to root for Lance in this year's Tour de France and in the Olympics. Hopefully we'll be cheering him to victory for years to come. I have been talking about this book to anyone who will listen to me. Listen to me. Buy the book. You will not want to put it down. It is a story you will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: Lessons from a Hero
Review: For those not inclined to reading anything, this is a quick read, not because it is simplistic (which it is not), but rather because the story is engrossing and ultimately, uplifting. For those not knowledgable about the world of competitive cycling, after reading this book you may find yourself tuning into this summer's Tour de France just to watch Lance do what he does best - living life. From the opening sentence, Lance Armstrong makes it clear to his audience that this is not a book about the Tour de France (even though it is the subject of the longest chapter in the book), nor about cycling (though it serves as the constant backgrop of his story). Lance takes you with him, day by day, into his personal struggle with cancer, chemo, and near death. But he also shares the romance of finding true love and the personal gratification of winning the ultimate cycling challenge, the Tour de France. The book is filled with personal lessons found previously in other writings such as "Tuesdays With Morrie" - enjoy life, love those close to you, never quit. In a time when role models are scarce, Lance Armstrong emerges as a true hero for all generations.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: In this book, Lance Armstrong opens up and lets the reader really feel what he felt. Personally, I was never a fan of reading, but I am currently reading this book for the 5th time in the past year. It truly changed my life and the way I feel about life and illness. Don't miss this book!
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I liked the book. He's a romantic at heart. And a philosopher. And a searcher. This is for sure...I'll be tuned in to the Tour De France in July.
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