Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring book
Review: Anyone who thinks they've had a tough lot in life should read this book. Lance Armstrong details his early life where he is the son of a single mother, feeling like an outcast in his upper-middle-class neighborhood and high school. He is a restless angry teenager who finds that he has the physical ability and drive to become a great athlete. He finally finds the perfect sport in cycling and relentlessly pursues his goal to be the best. Just as he is gaining some recognition in the sport, he is told that he has testicular cancer. The odds against him are overwhelming, but he researches his options until he finds the hospital which he believes will give him the best treatment. He details the agony of surgery and chemo. and the reader begins to understand just what it must be like to be a cancer patient. Not only does he recover, but he goes back to cycling and becomes the best in the world. This book gives interesting insight into what it takes to be the an outstanding athlete and is inspiring for anyone who is facing difficult odds. It shows the gradual maturing of an impulsive and restless young man who is tempered by illness and who is finally able to be a world-class athlete and a family man.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down.
Review: I am pretty busy, so as much as I love books, I generally have to fit them into the little spaces of time here and there and it takes weeks to finish one. But this book arrived Thursday afternoon, and by Friday evening I had finished it and was wishing it could have lasted longer. Okay, the first third of it is a bit slow. It contained more detail than I needed about how he won his early races. But the last two-thirds, his battle with cancer and his comeback afterwards, were absolutely enthralling. Inspiring? Of course. I hope never to have to fight for life as Armstrong did, but if I do I know Lance Armstrong's ability to beat 97% odds will be in the back of my mind, pushing me on. Meantime, if Armstrong can cycle through the Alps with saddle sores, what more might I be able to push my own body to do?
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable!
Review: This book is one of the most moving personal success stories I have ever read. From the history of Lance's difficult childhood, to his hot headed youth, to his battle with testicular cancer, to his wife's pregnancy, to his amazing win of the 1999 Tour de France... I loved it all. The section detailing the 1999 Tour de France actually got my adrenaline flowing. Like the title of the book says, it's not about the bike. Instead, the book is more about how Lance Armstrong dealt with cancer, and what it has meant in his life. You will not be sorry you read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Are 5 stars automatic for cancer patients?
Review: On a technical level, this book is an amateurish read despite the presence of a co-author. In terms of content, I was embarassed for Lance most of the time. He knows just enough to understand that a story like his SHOULD be inspirational, but by recounting (even relishing in) petty achievements like owning an expensive car, driving it fast, and talking down to most of the people he encounters, gives away the fact that as a human being, he's less than the sum of his accomplishments (which are limited to riding a bicycle). I have a thousand times more respect for the majority of cancer victims who fight quietly and win or lose, manage to maintain their dignity in the end.
Rating: 
Summary: IT'S ALL ABOUT OVERCOMING LIFE'S OBSTACLES
Review: Lance Armstrong's book truly isn't about the bike, it is about life, family, cancer, courage, compassion, fear, commitment, and a host of trials, tribulations and successes. It is an inside look at the man who won the Tour de France and the challenges and obstacles that he had to overcome. The book is well worth reading, even if some of Armstrong's comments do appear to be somewhat on the macho side. From his youth to his recovery from testicular cancer, this is the story of a man whose greatest victory was not in a bicycle race but in the battle for his life. The majority of the book deals with his fight against cancer, and throughout the book, the reader will marvel at his courage, emotional strength and unwavering family support. For anyone who has cancer, this book will, no doubt, be inspiring; however, those who have escaped this horrific disease will benefit from the lessons learned. They will realize that life takes on a new meaning. One has a deeper understanding of how important it is to live each and every day to the fullest, to appreciate the simple things in life - a beautiful sunset, the smile of a child, the touch of a gentle hand, and the importance of living for today and doing whatever good one can possibly do, for tomorrow belongs to no one.
Rating:
Summary: A hero for our times
Review: This was an amazingly well written/well edited book by an athlete who manages to inspire us while staying a regular guy. I was really pleased to see how readable the book was, and even more pleased to read about the ethics of a man who has overcome great obstacles while keeping focused on a very difficult goal. We don't have many athletes to point to when trying to show our children a well-balanced, high-achieving adult. Lance Armstrong fits the bill. I would recommend this book to cancer patients and survivors, to those interested in bicycle racing, to kids needing a book to use for a report on heroes, to single parents needing encouragement (Armstrong's mother was a single parent), and to readers in general who need an inspirational story to read.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: What can you say? Dead man walking. To have survived advanced stage testicular cancer that had spread to his brain was a story of pain and suffering and self doubt that no one wants to endure in their lifetime. The writing style was pretty choppy, which made it sound like a jock wrote it, and I enjoyed it all the more. It was like Lance was talking to "you" and not some writer telling the tale third hand.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner
Review: Lance tells us he loves speed, and the story he has to tell (and what a story it is!) moves along fast, like Lance on a bike! Every cancer survivor has a story and his is particularly harrowing, but his telling of it it makes irresistible reading because of his personal insight and total absence of self pity. Cycling fans will levitate during his chapter on the Tour.
Rating:
Summary: Hy hero
Review: I'm a 14 year old, and Lance Armsrong is my hero. This book is about Lance's life, his fight against cancer, riding and being a good father. Anyone who loves bicycling as much as I do should love this book. It's amazing how much Lance whent though to get this far. This book covers from birth,school,and racing. Up to his win in the Tour!I don't want to give it a way all I have to say is, Way to go Lance!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I started reading this book for an english project... but I loved the book. It was inspirational, and illustrated that anything is possible. He is an excellent writer, and because of the detailed descriptions given for all of the influencial people in his life I feel like I knew them myself. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
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