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Home > The Story of the Tour De France
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The Story of the Tour De France
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By Carol McGann Bill Mcgann
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 (13 Reviews)
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Publisher:
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Dog Ear Publishing
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Date:
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December 31, 1969 |
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Binding:
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Paperback
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Pages:
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316
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FormatEdition
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Date
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Kindle Edition
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July 25, 2006
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"After forty years of study on the subject, I can with some confidence say Bill and Carol McGann?s The Story of the Tour de France is the finest such work ever produced in the English language, and perhaps in any."
-From the preface by Owen Mulholland, author of Uphill Battle
"Besides towering over all bicycle races, the Tour de France endures for its unique Gaulic character, like Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. The McGann's passionate and insightful writing evokes the raucous cast of riders, promoters, and journalists thrusting through highs and lows worthy of opera. This volume stands out as a must-read book for anyone seeking to appreciate cycling's race of races."
-Peter Joffre Nye, author of The Six-Day Bicycle Races: America's Jazz Age Sport and Hearts of Lions
"There are LOTS of books on the Tour de France. An increasing number of them are actually written in English. However, of those, none educates Americans about this grand spectacle?s rich past. The Tour de France has a history as fascinating and sordid as Rome?s and it is high time someone undertook to explain this to our American sensibility. Our guide for the trip is a man with a ravenous appetite for both world history and bicycle racing, just the sort of person to paint a Tour champion with the dramatic grandiosity befitting Hannibal himself."
-Pat Brady, Editor, Asphalt Magazine
At the dawn of the 20th Century, French newspapers used bicycle races as promotions to build readership. Until 1903 these were one-day events. Looking to deliver a coup de grace in a vicious circulation war, Henri Desgrange?editor of the Parisian sports magazine L?Auto?took the suggestion of one of his writers to organize a race that would last several days longer than anything else, like the 6-day races on the track, but on the road.
That?s exactly what happened. For almost 3 weeks the riders in the first Tour de France rode over dirt roads and cobblestones in a grand circumnavigation of France. The race was an electrifying success. Held annually (suspended only during the 2 World Wars), the Tour grew longer and more complex with an ever-changing set of rules, as Desgrange kept tinkering with the Tour, looking for the perfect formula for his race.
Each year a new cast of riders would assemble to contest what has now become the greatest sporting event in the world.
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Customers' Reviews:
Add Your Own Review |
 BILL AND CAROL'S LABOUR OF LOVE, August 6, 2006
By John White
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As soon as I began reading this book on the website I was hooked; as hooked as we all were watching Stephen Roche catch up with Pedro Delgado at the top of La Plagne in stage 21 of the 1987 Tour or Greg LeMond's 8 second Tour victory over Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Elyses in 1989. These Tour memories are but two of many contained within this wonderful read. As I skimmed through the book, page by page, I knew I just had to have it and so I bought it. The book is an absolute treasure chest of all you ever needed to know about the most gruelling, and yet with it the most captivating, bike race in the world. It is such a joy to read because Bill and Carol have obviously completed what must have been a labour of love for them. And if the writing, which is superb, is not worth the purchase price alone then the photographs are breathtaking. I only hope my forthcoming "Tour de France Miscellany" (Carlton Publishing) is as good as "The Story of the Tour de France".
John White, Author of the "Tour de France Quiz Book" with a Foreword by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen (Apex Publishing Limited, £8.99).
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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History placed in context, drenched in rich detail..., January 26, 2008
By Rocco Vaselino (Ivins, UT United States)
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The Story of the Tour de France, Volume 1, is not only the finest documentary of the world's greatest sporting event, it genuinely places each moment of the Tour, from inception through 1964, within the political, social, and historical context of the time. This intelligently-written book gives the reader a focused sense of what things were like at the creation of the race, and how it changed through the years, right up to the dawn of modern bicycle racing. Bill and Carol craft narratives of the races that are crystaline, and they capture the pivotal moments of each race, always conveying the urgency and excitement. Nowhere have I seen these great races described in such interesting and captivating detail. The reader is placed back in time, observing these great riders almost as if they are there. More than just a series of race synopses, the book delves into the riding styles, personality traits, weaknesses, and foibles of many of the riders, giving a truly 3-dimensional picture of the races and racers. And when words cannot describe the torture of these early races, there are many photographs showing riders toiling over mountain passes on unpaved roads.
Many road biking enthusiasts may have heard the names Coppi, Anquetil, Leducq, and others, but they have never had them described so vividly. I know of no other book that provides imagery of the Tour de France as this book does. In that respect, it is singular and unique, and if it weren't so well wordsmithed, it would still win by default. If you ride a bicycle; if you have watched the Tour de France on television; or if you have an interest in the most grueling sporting event in the world, you must read this book. I can't wait for Volume 2.
Very highly recommended.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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 Very badly written, March 3, 2009
By turkle (cape town, south africa)
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I really, really wanted to love this book. I'm fascinated by the TdF and cycling history in general. But The Story of the Tour de France Vol 1 is so badly written that I really had to work at it to finish.
Yes, the information is great. Yes, it's brilliant that the authors attempt to place the story of each Tour in the context of the history and social events of the time. Yes, it's obvious they know their stuff. But clunky wording that manages to unintentionally place author Les Woodland at the original meeting where the Tour was first mooted and awkward conflation of the Dreyfuss Affair with garbled comment on current world events are just two examples early on in this book of how messy a read it is.
Perhaps part of the problem is that it's geared largely towards an American audience, which could account for the over-explanation of the drama to an audience that may think the race only began when Lance Armstrong arrived on the scene.
Another bugbear is the overall physical quality of the book, which just feels cheaply put together and is far too floppy in the hand for its size. I wasn't expecting a coffee table book with glossy pictures, but as paperbacks go, this is rather shoddy.
I admire what the authors set out to achieve with this book, I'm just very disappointed with the execution. It feels like a self-published job. And the glowing praise it has received from other cycling writers/friends just feels a bit too chummy as well. I'm also at a loss to know why Carol McGann is credited as a co-author, but then completely ignored in the effusive praise that is all directed at Bill by his mates - okay, hardly a big deal but when the rest of the book left me wanting more, it was just another irritation in a long line.
7 of 13 people found this review helpful
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Very badly written, March 4, 2009
By turkle (cape town, south africa)
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I really, really wanted to love this book. I'm fascinated by the TdF and cycling history in general. But The Story of the Tour de France Vol 1 is so badly written that I really had to work at it to finish.
Yes, the information is great. Yes, it's brilliant that the authors attempt to place the story of each Tour in the context of the history and social events of the time. Yes, it's obvious they know their stuff. But clunky wording that manages to unintentionally place author Les Woodland at the original meeting where the Tour was first mooted and awkward conflation of the Dreyfuss Affair with garbled comment on current world events are just two examples early on in this book of how messy a read it is.
Perhaps part of the problem is that it's geared largely towards an American audience, which could account for the over-explanation of the drama to an audience that may think the race only began when Lance Armstrong arrived on the scene.
Another bugbear is the overall physical quality of the book, which just feels cheaply put together and is far too floppy in the hand for its size. I wasn't expecting a coffee table book with glossy pictures, but as paperbacks go, this is rather shoddy.
I admire what the authors set out to achieve with this book, I'm just very disappointed with the execution. It feels like a self-published job. And the glowing praise it has received from other cycling writers/friends just feels a bit too chummy as well. I'm also at a loss to know why Carol McGann is credited as a co-author, but then completely ignored in the effusive praise that is all directed at Bill by his mates - okay, hardly a big deal but when the rest of the book left me wanting more, it was just another irritation in a long line.
5 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Not just another Tour de France book, February 6, 2008
By Mike Jacoubowsky (Redwood City, CA)
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I'll admit this right up front. I'm a big-time fan of the Tour de France, and pre-disposed to liking this book. But this is a GREAT book anyway. Bill knows his subject, and writes as if he's the one newspaper reporter covering the race who really does have the inside scoop on what's going on. He lays out each year's race chronologically, taking no shortcuts, and always leaving you with that desire to know what happens next. You can put it down between years, but I dare you to find a stopping point within the chapter of each race!
This is not a coffee-table book with great photos, nor is it a first-person journey like Paul Kimmage's excellent "Rough Ride." Rather, it's a compelling re-telling of the race itself, seen with the clarity and knowledge that comes from exceptional research, in a style more similar to Sports Illustrated than a history book. Can't wait for Volume II covering 1965-on.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Understanding the world's most famous bike race, January 22, 2008
By Larry T.
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Bill and Carol McGann have created an good blend of "who did what and when" along with background information to allow the reader to truly understand the spectacle that is Le Tour de France.
I admit I'm friends with them and that they've never seen Le Grand Boucle in person to my knowledge. I have, more than 10 editions. Reading their accounts of the Tours I saw in person made me realize how much effort they put into digging up interesting facts and putting each edition into context with the Tours that came before and after. I eagerly await their upcoming history of my favorite race, Il Giro d'Italia!
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Bringing the Tour de France to life, February 10, 2008
By Jon A. Bishop (Madison, WI USA)
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Bill and Carol have have given us a wonderful history of the first 60 years of the Tour de France. They have brought to life riders who are long forgotten but deserve to be remembered. The descriptions of riders with all of their strengths and flaws make them human. The descriptions of the races themsleves give the reader the impression that Bill was in the follow car behind the race. The Tour de France is a fascinating and complicated topic, and Bill and Carol do it justice and then some.
Beyond the descriptions of the races, the explanation of how the race itself developed and evolved is fascinating. To have a world class treatment of cycling history and sports marketing on the same pages is truly remarkable. I had no idea that a possible explanation for the yellow jersey is that yellow cloth was the cheapest cloth.
Finally, this book is a fun read. Bill and Carol's passion for cycling comes through beautifully. They express opinions and present the colorful history of the Tour in a lively and engaging manner. You will be richly rewarded for picking up this book.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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A Great Read, October 20, 2009
By James L. Witherell, Author, Bicycle History
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I can't say how much I enjoyed reading the Mcgann's book. I think someone else called it a labor of love, and it shows. All the information you need to know is there without a lot of time-wasting filler. The book is well researched and the facts are accurate. Any observations the authors make only add to your enjoyment and understanding of the Tour de France and the motivations of the people taking part in it, which is not always an easy task. The authors keep you up to date with what's happening with the main contenders, so you don't need a program to keep up with all the players. Bravo!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Bringing the Tour de France to life, February 11, 2008
By Jon A. Bishop (Madison, WI USA)
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Bill and Carol have have given us a wonderful history of the first 60 years of the Tour de France. They have brought to life riders who are long forgotten but deserve to be remembered. The descriptions of riders with all of their strengths and flaws make them human. The descriptions of the races themsleves give the reader the impression that Bill was in the follow car behind the race. The Tour de France is a fascinating and complicated topic, and Bill and Carol do it justice and then some.
Beyond the descriptions of the races, the explanation of how the race itself developed and evolved is fascinating. To have a world class treatment of cycling history and sports marketing on the same pages is truly remarkable. I had no idea that a possible explanation for the yellow jersey is that yellow cloth was the cheapest cloth.
Finally, this book is a fun read. Bill and Carol's passion for cycling comes through beautifully. They express opinions and present the colorful history of the Tour in a lively and engaging manner. You will be richly rewarded for picking up this book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Fascinating Read, Cover-to-Cover, October 6, 2010
By Gothic Serpent (Glendale, CA United States)
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I've been a huge fan of cycling events, especially the Tour de France, since the mid-90's and as much reading as I do on the Tour, I must admit that I have never enjoyed a book as much as I have with The Story of the Tour de France by Bill and Carol McGann. The time line, the cyclists, stage wins, general classifications, and every bit of detail in between provides a pace that has you looking forward to the pages ahead but has you dread reaching the end. You simply will not find another book out there this detailed!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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An excellent reference for the TdF aficionado, December 12, 2008
By tom
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Having followed the Tour de France for 25 years and read as much as I could about the event and its participants, I thoroughly enjoyed the McGann's in-depth study of the Tour from 1903 to 1964. McGann includes personal accounts by the racers and officials making each tour come alive. Each race is picked apart and analyzed as to who won and lost and why. If you like this type of thorough-ness, I whole-heartedly recommend the McGann's "The Story of the Tour de France."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Wealth of Information, Poorly Edited, May 22, 2010
By ambling across the cornfields at 15 mph (southwestern Illinois)
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This book needs a good editor. It contains lots of facts, but the editing is poor. There were a variety of reasons that this book was hard to read. There were some basic problems with the use of numbers: ""he won the next 2 stages"" as opposed to ""he won the next two stages"". The book was laid out along a very strict time line, with little chance to understand the personalities of the riders. There were also small editorial comments thrown in along the way that only distracted the reader and did nothing to add to the story.
I do not want to be totally negative. The book seemed to be well-researched, maybe the best English-language history available. However, I would urge the publisher to re-work the narratives significantly prior to the release of the next edition. I would have enjoyed a more readable book.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Did you want the details of each race in the history of the Tour?, May 25, 2011
By lady leatherneck (northern va)
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This book (Volume 1 of 2) covers each Tour de France race leading up to the first TdF race in 1903 through 1964 race: the racers, the start, the problems, the rivals (countries and individuals), and the winners. For those who want to delve further into the history, the firsts, and the memorable events you hear the TV commentators mention as you watch the peleton spinning along the coast of Normandy. Check out Volume 2 also.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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