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Home > Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion
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Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion
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By John Wilcockson
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 (29 Reviews)
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List Price: $26.00
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Publisher:
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Da Capo Press
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Date:
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June 29, 2009 |
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Binding:
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Hardcover
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Pages:
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416
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No champion has astonished the world quite like Lance Armstrong. A cancer survivor who went on to win the Tour de France an unprecedented seven times, he is an inspiration to millions. Yet few know the complete story of this brash, smart, and fiercely competitive Texan who battled to the top of his sport, overcame the most rampant case of testicular cancer doctors had seen, and then conquered cycling’s Holy Grail time after time. In Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know him best to trace Armstrong’s remarkable, yet controversial journey in vivid detail. Family members?including his adoptive father speaking publicly for the first time?recall Lance’s humble origins in the backstreets of Dallas, the father he barely knew, his single mom’s struggle for survival, and her second marriage that brought a move to the suburbs and new opportunities. His childhood friends and early mentors remember how he moved on from Little League baseball and football to excel at swimming, running, and triathlon, while living the life of a teenager who loved fast cars and pretty girls. They also describe the circumstances that eventually led to his taking up cycling. As Lance’s fierce ambition drove him from the dusty plains of Texas to the snowy peaks of Europe, he was both admired and derided. He intimidated his rivals, earned the respect of his teammates, and astounded everyone with his extraordinary deeds. But his achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy, and questions of how triumph on such a grand scale could even be possible. So how did Lance become the supreme champion of his sport? He didn’t do it alone. His compelling story is intertwined with the stories of those who helped shape his life and career, including his mother Linda, ex-wife Kristin, and one-time fiancée Sheryl Crow, along with those of his mentors, coaches, and friends. Their voices, along with those who helped him expand his cancer foundation into a worldwide movement, are integral to his unique story. Lance also reveals details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong’s legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, repeated doping allegations, and hostile European media all pushed him to reach the pinnacle of his sport and rightly claim the title of the world’s greatest champion.
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Customers' Reviews:
Add Your Own Review |
 Very informative and interesting read, June 24, 2010
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I loved the details about what makes Lance tick. The details about the racing were not so interesting but that is because I'm not into the sport. I have a lot of admiration for athletes that are at the top of their games and the mental strength that it takes to get there. Besides the natural talent these people have, the mental strength is absolutely amazing. This book does a decent job of describing Lance and his mental toughness. I learned a lot about him and I think it's worth reading.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
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A Different, and More Informative, Point of View, May 23, 2010
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I've been a fan of bicycling since the 40 lb. Schwinn Varsity was considered to be the apex of cycling technology (ten speeds, instead of three!). Consequently, I've followed the Tour de France for many years. Greg Lemond's triumphs, followed by the story of Lance Armstrong's victory were pure pleasure to a bicyclist like me, a human with far more enthusiasm than talent.
Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion, is significantly better than it's somewhat overreaching title would suggest. Providing enough detail (from Lance's early childhood on) to allow a fully developed picture of a remarkable world class and very human athlete to emerge, the author's fast moving prose avoids getting bogged down in numbing detail. Though the level of detail will please the cyclist, the vocabulary is completely accessible to the non-cyclist.
The tone of the book is significantly different than Lance's own It's Not About the Bike. While both books are must reads for those trying to fathom Lance's seven consecutive wins in the world's most prestigious bicycle race, The Making of the World's Greatest Champion gives greater depth of autobiographical detail, more insight into the sport of competitive cycling (yes, including detailed discussions of performance enhancing drugs), and a somewhat mind-bending description of what it takes to win in this sport.
Revelations? Nothing to set the gossip columns afire. But I will remain forever struck by how many times Armstrong LOST key races on his way to his singular accomplishment. I was fascinated by his phenomenal mid-teenage successes as a nationally ranked triathlete, before he began to specialize in cycling. The politics of the cycling world, and the financial rapids that Lance had to constantly negotiate in his early career were intriguing. I'd hesitate to say that the finest, highest performing lower extremities on the planet have feet of clay, but Armstrong has at least as much clay in his makeup as the rest of the human race. And yet, if you don't find yourself rooting for the complex man named Lance Armstrong, you are a hard-hearted person indeed.
Drugs? Make your own case, after reading the book. What the book clearly illustrates is that Lance was born with a one in six billion body: he often broke all performance records when being objectively tested for ability to metabolize oxygen, and to produce sustained power. He had an incomprehensible ability to endure terrible weather conditions, with rain/sleet during a race almost guaranteeing a Lance victory. He trained year round, a novelty in the bicycling world. Over time, he became a fantastic strategist. And, famously, he brought an unprecedented level of technical expertise and analysis to his sport, with every single part of his bicycles, and every part of his body, being subjected to rigorous evaluation. Can that combination, hitherto unseen in cycling, trump riders that use performance enhancing drugs (PHD's)? Let's say this: If ANY combination can beat PHD's, Lance had that formula.
Bottom line: This is not "just another Lance book". It is a thorough and engaging account of a human accomplishment that won't be matched for many years. Whether or not you're a cycling aficionado, you will not be disappointed.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
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loved the book!, March 2, 2010
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I found that the author filled in aspects of Lance's life I had not known before, such as his relationship with both of his fathers and the nature of his care with his own children. It was very well written and illuminating. A very exciting read.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
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Very Interesting, February 5, 2010
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I had read It's Not About the Bike and this is another very interesting angle at looking at Lance Armstrong. Lots of interviews with influential characters in his life. Definitely would recommend.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
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The book is very well written., December 21, 2009
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I write to make this point. For a moment - forget about the topic, I just want to make the poimnt that the author has a very fluid style of writing. Several times tyhroughout the book I literally found myself completely immersed in the book. I forgot about the time and space around me. That does not happen often. Mr. Wilcockson really dererves this compliment. I know this for sure - you WILL enjoy this book. He has done a great job here.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
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