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.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Story of His Life's Journeys
Review: He may be a d--- in real life, but you have to hand it to him about the journey he has taken. In reading the book it was refreshing to believe that he was writing the book in his own voice (very personally with anger, vulgarity, and fast paced). The book was inspirational to the point that here was this guy who had the chips stacked against him and although I don't think most people will just roll over and die at the news (most people do choose to fight the cancer), he not just survived but was able to rebuild himself to become the best at what he does. He pays tribute to the other cancer patients he meets and vividly describes the battles he and everyone else has with the cancer, the treatments and the 'loss of self'. He doesn't paint a pretty picture about anything that happens except in the network of patients, survivors and some healthcare professionals he mwt along the way. Another refreshing aspect to the book that adds to its validity is his honesty about his roller-coaster of emotions, where at times he wanted to give up certain pursuits and had to rely on the strength of those around him to go on. It is a strong dose of reality for everyone who reads it, and educates those of us fortunate not to have cancer on the debilitating effects on the body and soul it has. The bike and racing is a side-bar story that just adds to the strength of character that many survivors have after they beat the disease, on their "new lease" on life. This was a great and humbling book that I could not put down when I started it.
Rating:
Summary: unbelievable book
Review: Like the title says this books is not (all) about the bike. Since you probably know the story, I won't rehash it here. I'll simply repeat that it is an unbelievable story.
Rating:
Summary: uplifting!
Review: This is a good book to read when you are feeling "blah"...
While I wasn't annoyed when Lance got resentfully back at some people that he feels let him down in life (after all, he is human, just like all of us!), I read with much interest his accounts of his battle with cancer, and of the Tour de France.
Whether you like Lance Armstrong or not, whether or not you are into cycling,you have got to admit he's got guts, drive and resiliance. I don't think Lance aimed at being depicted as perfect in this book. Rather, he aims at being the best he can be. And for this alone, the book is worth reading.This is a good reminder of what you can accomplish if you work hard enough for it. Remember the famous quote "never, never give up..."?
Rating: 
Summary: typical
Review: It;s not about the bike is a typical, supposedly inspirational, typical "american dream" book. It is just another book written by a typical American for other typical americans.Yes sure to fight cancer and then win the most difficult road race on earth is amazing, but not as amazing as this book makes it out to be. Lance Armstrong was privileged as a child - he had the opportunity to become what he became! People who do not have the opportunity (the money maybe) to pursue their talents and then to create an opportunity, and in the end, win, THAT's inspirational! This book is about Lance Armstrong, and only about how great Lance Armstrong is, period. It is boring and uninteresting - just another person's life story, except this one had talent and used it - yay! for him! Sorry to be so cynical, americans should wake up out of their perfect little "american dream" world, and maybe read about something that describes what is really going on in this world, and maybe even something that is really inspiring!!!
Rating:
Summary: It's Not About the Bike
Review: In my opinion this is one of the greatest books ever written. Lance's story is incredibly motivating, and Jenkins captures the essence of this American hero. Her use of cycling diction, race scene description, and team orientation help clarify this highly European sport for her American readers. Her use of metaphor extends the reader's understanding of how the cycling world ticks. Lance's many dialogues in the novel add substance to the work, while providing a better understanding of his battle with testicular cancer. Also, Lance's use of subconscious feeling helps the reader understand his attitude toward certain situations. He delievers a wonderful story that will touch of the heart of even the most skeptical readers. His message is clear, no obstacle is to tough to overcome with motivation, perserverence, and dedication. This book is wonderful for anyone looking for a good "pick me up" to motivate them to get in gear!
Rating:
Summary: Captain Narcissism, white courtesy telephone please...
Review: For most people, giving them some paper and a typewriter is like giving them rope to hang themselves with. And this book is an excellent example. Lance Armstrong wastes no time in demonstrating his staggering vulgarity and total self-absorption.
Apparently, rather than tax himself with the task of being a good person - something that seems not even to have penetrated the outer edges of the universe of his ideas - Armstrong considers himself to have made a compelling case for greatness simply by being a good cyclist. And apparently many, many readers cannot see anything wrong with Armstrong's narcissistic totalitarianism and in fact drink it down like water. You want the book boiled down for you? Lance Armstrong is a piece of ... who happens to ride a bike.
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