Rating: 
Summary: Everyone should read this book
Review: While most people are probably somewhat familiar with the Lance Armstrong story, assuming he's like other professional athletes who have encountered adversity would be such an underestimation of this incredible man. His story, written in first person style sounding very much like he probably speaks, is awe-inspiring. He doesn't gloss over those years when he acted a bit like a jerk, or ignored coaching advice. He's honest with his readers when he speaks of past mistakes which are probably rooted in an unclear vision of who he really is. The cancer that almost killed him he now describes as "the best thing that ever happened to me". He doesn't spare any detail when describing how sick he was, nor does he try to make us think he was some big tough guy cancer patient, putting on a happy face through countless days of torture. His cancer story is very real, and this is a person that could not have come much closer to death. But he chose to embrace life, and it was this choice that brought about all the changes that made him who he is today. Anyone who is procrastinating about anything in life needs to read this book for that kick in the butt that will get them moving. Need to lose a little weight? Change jobs? Run that first 5k? Get out of a bad relationship? READ THIS BOOK. You will realize how soft your life is, and how choosing to LIVE, rather than exist, will make you the best person you can be. Oops, did I make this sound like a self help book? It's not at all, just an inspiring account of one person's life and how he fought back to become, in my humble opinion, the world's greatest athlete, and an amazing person. He is on the verge of winning his 4th Tour deFrance. Listen to what he says when he does, it will tell you what kind of person Lance Armstrong really is.
Rating:
Summary: Lance's Story Is Mezmerising
Review: I first read the book last summer. My stepsister was reading it and I picked it up when she set it down and we fought over who was going to read it for the next day or so. Only that long becuase by then we had both finished it. Enthralling...Tantalizing...leaves you wanting to know more. One of the best modern biographical writings. Can't wait until he writes another one to follow up on the this years tour and the last two as well.A must read for all athletes. Inspiring and motivating. Lance Armstrong writes nearly as well as he rides a bike. It does him great justice to have this fine book to his name.
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Summary: As Great as Ali and Jordan
Review: Ali. Jordan. Armstrong. There are a few names in athletics that define a sport, and, in a bigger sense, define all sports. Lance Armstrong, in what is a relatively small sport in America, has succeeded to be able to able his place among the greatest ever. Had Armstrong not had cancer, it would not have made him a lesser athlete. He might have more victories behind him. But with his struggle with cancer, he has been vaulted beyond being a great biker, winner of several Tour de France yellow jerseys. He has become a great man. As a biker, I know any Tour de France victory is extraordinary. These guys are as tough as any rugby player. To win it multiple times seem impossible, but Armstrong has the bragging rights. However, this book is not filled with self-congratulating phrases or business book mantras. It is a challenge to reach the top of your game. Furthermore, he has been unafraid to exercise his free speech. He has opinions, and does not cater to the media. Yet, unlike too many athletes, he has something to say. Armstrong has not let his victories be stained by drugs or crime. He is that quintessential All American Good Guy. If kids watch Armstrong, they can want to be like him. Parents will not be ashamed of him. High school kids can read this book (even nonbikers) and feel a sense of drive to press onward, to get the job done, to not lose hope no matter how dire things seem. Armstrong pressed on, and now, as I write, he is on his way to winning another yellow jersey. I fully recommend "It's Not About the Bike" by Lance Armstrong. Anthony Trendl
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Summary: Ride for the Roses
Review: This is truly the most inspirational book I've ever read. I've read it twice in three months. And I plan on reading it many more times. I knew of Lance as the young, cocky cyclist with attitude. And I know of him now--someone who cares about the sport, and, above all, people. I did the Ride for the Roses for the first time this past April, and I will participate for sure in the future. People came from all over the nation to participate, and after reading this book, I know why. If you have a chance to take part in it (the next one is in October 2003), I suggest you do so. For someone to take time off of his professional career to take part in something he feels so strongly about, I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for this man. And if his wife and mother are 1/10th of how he describes them, wow. Go Lance-a-lot!
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Summary: The Type of Book We All Should Read
Review: Ever hear of a "one call close" in sales ?? Well this book is the equivalent of that. I read it in one sitting. Quite simply Lance spoke in brutal honesty and reflection about his experiences with cancer and world class cycling. Even though this was the focus of the book, the real story is about the human spirit. Lance is an incredible person who literally "willed" himself to his current position as "cancer survivor" and Champion Cyclist. The story lives up to the hype of the celebrity. He is the real deal. There are some other heroes in this story, namely the Doctors who helped Lance (they are amazing), his nurse and most importantly his mother. After reading this book and learning of the adversity Lance has overcome, it makes our own lives much clearer in terms of the artificial limits many of us have in place.
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Summary: I can't put it down!
Review: Q: How do you write a book to tell a story when everybody already knows most all of the story? A: LIKE THIS! People know about the bike, people know about the cancer, what people don't know is the how and the why. With this brutally honest, sometimes excruciatingly explicit (in the chemo stories) story of who Lance Armstrong really is. Lance the survivor and bike racer is known and admired for all that he has overcome, and for the amazing person that he has become. This book shows how he became such an amazing person. It's not all pretty -- not even most of it is pretty -- but it is HONEST. Lance is not shy about addressing his own mistakes and weaknesses, while trying to show what (and how) he learned from them. In wonderful style, he shows that it really ISN'T about the bike, by spending more time discussing his failures, his losses, and his mistakes, than his victories -- because that's what he could learn from. Lance is even more of a hero and a role model for the world because of this book, because he was not afraid to say "I was wrong", and was willing to grow and learn through the experiences.
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Summary: Simple, but excellent reading material !
Review: The concept of this book is simple : Lance wrote down the story of his life.
The way it's being told and the comments Lance makes on everything most certainly improve the quality of the book. Although it's clear Lance isn't exactly a world class writer (as opposed to a rider), it reads easy and once you begin reading it, it won't let go of you. Personally, I was reading until 4:30am when my body was simply giving up... if it hadn't, I would have finished to book during the night. The story itself is great, but not because it was invented, but because it's a true story, a story with beauty and uglyness, where we can discover the true Lance Armstrong, with his weaknesses and problems. It gave me a completely different look at a person who I now admire even more, not just as a sportsman, but a lot more as a human being. Absolutely a recommendation for anyone !
Rating: 
Summary: An engaging autobiography
Review: This touching autobiography details Lance Armstrong's near death experience with cancer. I would highly recommend this book for young adults. It is written in a frank and open manner which makes it easily accessible. In addition to learning about Armstrong's struggle with cancer, the reader is given background information about Amstrong's early life and the forces that shaped his personality and his career choice. I think many young adults will identify with the struggles Armstrong faces growing up. This is definitely a must read!
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Summary: I even read it twice!
Review: Ok, this book has an interest from many different angles. Are you a bike fan, battling cancer or know someone who is or has, interested in the sports world, or just looking for a good story about someone who battles a tough time in their life and still comes out ok? Here's a good story for you. Lance Armstrong, a guy who rose up to become a good competitive proffesional bicyclist and was stunned with the news that he has cancer. This is the story of his life, how he handled the battle with cancer, and the ways that his life has changed in the years since then.
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Summary: Powerful book, thought provoking, tear jerker and humorous
Review: As good as it gets in a biography. Fiction could not have been written any better: teen single mom raises her baby to never quit or take the easy way out.
Bike racing cancer victim Armstrong seems to hold nothing back in this inspiring probe into his life, where he states that he would rather claim the title of cancer survivor over race victor, and that having cancer was the best thing that happened to him. Giving his mother's care and never give up example and his "stud" life partner of a wife all the credit, Armstrong's story filled me with tears at times, a belly laugh at others, and most of all the encouragement to look at obstacles as opportunites instead of stumbling blocks. Outstanding!
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