Rating: 
Summary: Only two pages folded down
Review: I picked this up as I climbed late into bed last night. Two hours later, as dawn was creeping over the sky, I folded over the first page and slept for just 5 hours. I picked it up and continued reading until I folded over the second page and made a coffee and toast while the bath ran. Must confess I stayed in the bath until it was finished less than 10 hours (and three bath refills) after I had initially picked the book up. Its like listening to your best friend telling you all the things that have happened to them, with all the quirky and peppery details you would expect, whether amusing, moving, amazing or interesting to them. Its just that I dont have a best friend who has been through the kind of wringer Lance Armstrong has been through and come out the other side. I had a problem with the photos in the middle. When I got to them, I only looked at the ones that been covered by the story to that point. I then carefully read the book to the end and then went back to pour over the remaining photos to go with the rest of the story. What is the book to me. I guess if I had to put my finger on it, it is an example to me of how I could live life. Abosolutely not a trace of self pity or ego in this book. Diamond.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe, but it's not all about you either, Lance.
Review: As a long-time and obsessed cyclist, and huge fan of the sport, I picked up this book as a feel-good prelude to this year's Tour. However, upon completing it, I find myself surprisingly conflicted. On the one hand, it would laughably arrogant to say that Lance is not an admirable person. He is peerless as a cyclist, tireless in his training, relentlessly determined to win and has become one of the sport's true sportsmen over the years, most famously by pausing on a fierce mountain stage of the Tour to allow his main rival, Jan Ullrich, rejoin him after a crash. His fight with cancer was nothing short of heroic, as was his desire to help others by setting up a foundation and charity event. And if you doubt the man's courage, consider this: in his mid-20s, he could have retired quite comfortably. He would have been recalled as a hero, a world champion cyclist and brave cancer survivor. He had the wife of his dreams, the house of his dreams and could have made a very tidy living as an inspirational speaker and cancer spokesperson. What's more, he would have collected almost $2 million in disability for sitting on his butt, playing golf and drinking beer-I don't have to tell you what I would have done. Instead he threw away the money and gambled everything for what at best looked like a few years of obscure mediocrity as a domestique. If that's guts, I don't know what is. However, on the other hand, I found his portrayal of himself as a lonely, hard-luck outsider absolutely absurd and moreover, insulting to both himself and the mere mortals who have faced some of his struggles. Lance's days as an outsider ended the moment he won his first triathlon. The day he started crossing the line minutes ahead of his rivals, he stopped being one of us and became the ultimate insider--he became Lance. He whines about the tough life he had growing up, but let's face it: he was mommy's special little man from the get go and never truly went without. He may not have played football, but he was a star athlete in every sense of the word, making an adult's salary at 15 and driving a fancy car throughout high school. Once he graduated, his life was almost completely managed by a cadre of professionals and powerbrokers, the connections were made, the money poured in and the models had their hearts broken. And again, while it would be obscene to minimize his cancer experience, he did have it better than many. Lots of people get cancer, lots of people don't have health insurance, but few people have white knight CEOs blackmailing insurance companies to pay their bills, a tribe of lawyers and corporate honchos flitting around in jets to cater to their every need, or the top cancer specialists in the nation tripping over each other to treat them. So in ready this book, I found Lance almost greedy; isn't it enough to be a genetic superman, a champion, a survivor, an inspiration, a hero? Why do you also have to a victim? What about those of us who do that first race and come in last? Who never win? Who never get sponsored or trained or handled and still keep at it? What about the cancer victims with no insurance who quietly die a slow, painful death, leaving their families in debt? If you're an outsider, and underdog, a victim, what does that make them? So in reading this I found Lance's life to be extraordinary, a triumph, an inspiration. I only wished he'd acknowledged this good fortune, taken the chip off his shoulder and left it behind for someone who really deserved it.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Not Just About the Book
Review: I just finished reading the book as the Tour de France entered its final stages this week and Lance Armstrong is pursuing his fifth consecutive victory. Needless to say, I have never been a cycling fan until now. I have never cared much about the examples celebrity athletes provide until now. And I am not one to put athletes on a pedestal...until now. More than his words or his cycling accomplishments, his story of surviving cancer would set anyone apart and make them worthy of such attention. Lance Armstrong, through Sally Jenkins, successfully brings together the best in autobiographical writing, motivational writing, insights into the world of competitive cycling, and gives the reader much to think about in the end. I have read a few books on the power of positive thinking and healing to know that Lance has put it all together here. Thanks Lance and Sally.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: One word. EXCELLENT! It doesn't matter if your a fan of bike riding or not. Lance's book is just plain excellent and he is extremely inspiring!!
Rating:
Summary: What a ride.....
Review: Like a lot of Americans, I didn't have a clue about The Tour de France until Greg LeMond won it in 1986. After that, I became a fan. Before he won his first tour in 1999, I knew more about Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie than I did Lance Armstrong. I watched in amazement as Lance rode, amid the swirl of publicity about his triumph over cancer. He became the embodiment of the underdog....cocky young man, cut down in the prime of his power...has doubts...finds love...tries to return...quits only to dig deep and find something extraordinary inside. I disagree with reviewers who say Armstrong is overly arrogant and self-centered. He gives all credit for his tenacity to his nurturing mother. He says he only deserves the zipper in his yellow jersey...that his team mates own the front, back and sleeves. He even gives credit to the mountains in North Carolina for helping him finds his way back to competitive cycling. In creating the Lance Armstrong Foundation, he's put his substantial profile and his checkbook where his passion lies.....in cancer research. How many other elite riders have given back like that? Professional athletes can't survive without egos. It's part of what makes them so competitive. Lance has ego to let. But, remember one thing....he has four yellow jerseys and a clean bill of health to back him up! As for his temper, I think he showed remarkable restraint when he crushed the competition in the first time trial of the 1999 race and then got to walk by members of the team who had dropped him when he was in the fight of his life. Oakley, Nike and Giro hung tough with Lance. Confidis caved. Personally, I wouldn't have just said "That was for you," when he passed members of the Confidis team...the men who Armstrong felt "...had left me for dead in a hospital room." I woulda decked 'em. Sally Jenkins did a terrfic job of getting Lance's story down on paper. In fact, her style was so compelling that I read the book in one sitting, not even noticing the time flying by. I can't wait to read their second collaboration, EVERY SECOND COUNTS in October. Ride, Lance, Ride. It's what you were born to do. Live, Lance, Live.
Rating:
Summary: A Telling Tale of Survival
Review: Lance Armstrong is a man of character and integrity. But it took a chronic illness to change him into the human being he is today. His story about his bout with cancer is not one of great inspiration or motivation but of survival. I finished the book the same day I started it. It is a quick read and an invigorating tale of one man's struggle not only with a physical illness but a mental battle to overcome all obstacles.
Rating:
Summary: Seeing his true colors
Review: For years, I've been proud that Armstrong represented the U.S. and Texas, being that I live in the Metroplex area in North Texas where Lance grew up. After reading his book, I can honestly say I dont think I've heard of a more arrogant, self centered, childish jerk. Ever. He's a hothead, and has no concept of how to treat other human beings. Although he may not be involved in any sexual assaults or homicides(like other athletes in the news), he exhibits zero class, much less maturity. I know this not from some unauthorized biography or news account, but from HIS book, his OWN words. Considering what he's been thru, it's truly shocking. And he's completely oblivious.
As for the structure of the book. It's good. It's a quick read. One may get somewhat beaten down by the lengthy details of his cancer treatments. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart, but after all that is the subject of the book. Needless to say, his recovery was remarkable.
I enjoyed learning of his early riding experiences and his meteoric rise to international stardom in such a short period. However, now I'll never be able to look at him the same again...or cheer for him. He is not a good man. Although Lance will tell you otherwise. Instead of "Its Not about the Bike", it should have been titled "Its Not about being Considerate of Others"
Rating: 
Summary: Seems a bit to big for cycling shorts
Review: I was excited to read this book as I am an avid cyclist and triathlete. I was very disappointed. Lance describes his journey through his career in an almost cavalier, " I deserve it all" sort of manner. He lacks an attitude of appreciation, humility, and respect that I believe other elite athletes have shown (e.g. Mike Singletary, Arnold Palmer, Joe Montanna, etc.) I must admit his experience with cancer was horrific and I am glad that he can be an inspiration to others that face the same trials. Unfortunately, the predominant theme that I took away from the book was his attitude of arrogance, pride and self-indulgence. Before reading this book, I was prepared to root Lance to his fifth Tour de France Victory. Now I hope he looses, it would do his tremendous ego some good.
Rating:
Summary: A very Inspirational book
Review: This was an outstanding book. You don't have to like sports to enjoy this book it's also a book about life, and how to deal with adversity. Lance talks about his cancer treatments, you really get a feel for what he went through and how close he came to dying. He talks about his mom and how much of an inspiration she is to him. The part of the book where he talks about his comeback after surgery was awesome. All the hard work and training leading up to it was unbelievable. It is a fine book that will teach you about never giving up in life, and will help you to understand the affects of cancer on those who experience it.
Rating:
Summary: Very inspirational, you have to read.
Review: If you are thinking your life is the greatest or the worst, you have to read this book. This case is about the cancer, about the triumph, about the way with better things than others.
Lance Amstrong, no doubt, is a shining case in the cyclism history and a proof of life.
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