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Book - Product Information
23 Days In July: Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Tour De France Victory
John Wilcockson, Graham Watson
Rating: 5.0/5 Stars
Rank: 676
Armstrong's record sixth Tour de France victory didn't cause much of a stir
in the U.S., but Wilcockson's account shows why the "Tour has always
fascinated writers," even if it hasn't always captured the attention of
Americans.
The author, whose work has appeared in the New York
Times, draws on conversations with Armstrong, his race team and his
challengers before, during and after the race for an intimate glimpse of
this particular world's friendships, rivalries and scandals.
The resulting
portrait of Armstrong, from his recovery from cancer to his exhausting
training methods, unmatched physical strength and mental toughness, is
that of a newly single dad, with no memories of his own father, and a
sporting "legend." The book's structure, with its day-by-day account of
the Tour, allows readers to appreciate what an arduous undertaking the
race is. As the race revisits stages and locations from previous Tours,
Wilcockson smartly looks back at some of the Tour's great moments and
explores how it has changed because of its recent "Lance-ification." While
Wilcockson mostly celebrates Armstrong and the Tour, he doesn't shy away
from the doping scandals and accusations that have haunted both Armstrong
and the race over the years, and he does give Armstrong a chance to answer
his critics.
A thorough appendix further explaining cycling's subtle
intricacies ends this well-crafted book. Map, photos. Copyright ©
Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.
About the AuthorJohn Wilcockson reported on his first Tour de France in 1968. He has
written for Outside and Men's Journal and reported on
major cycling events for NPR, the BBC World Service, and the New York
Times.
His many books include John Wilcockson's World of
Cycling. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. Graham Watson has been
covering the Tour de France since 1977.
He lives near London.
Editorials
Sample 3 of 8
23 Days In July: Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Tour De France Victory
John Wilcockson, Graham Watson
![]() | | | VeloNews 12/27/04 | | "A read that diehard fans will devour before sharing with friends and
family." |
![]() | | | ESPN.com "Page 2" | | Named a "Best Book of 2004" |
![]() | | | Book Description | | A riveting day-by-day account of the 2004 Tour de France and Lance
Armstrong's unprecedented sixth victory-by the man "widely considered to
be the best cycling writer in the U.S." (USA Today) Taking place over
twenty-three... read full editorial |
Customer Reviews
Sample 3 of 17
23 Days In July: Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Tour De France Victory
John Wilcockson, Graham Watson
![]() | | | Straight scoop from the best writer in the bike biz | | November 9, 2004 - 5.0/5 stars | | No one knows the inner life of an American pro roadie better than John
Wilcockson. He writes in clean athletic prose and has been at the last 30+
Tours de France. Lots of backstory and anecdotes. And even a glossary... read full review |
![]() | | | The definitive tour of the Tour de France | | (Lyons, Colorado, USA) October 27, 2004 - 5.0/5 stars | | Wow! I just finished reading John Wilcockson's book on the 2004 Tour de
France and am still overwhelmed. This is the most complete coverage of the
Tour that I have ever encountered. It is well written and exciting... read full review |
![]() | | | the tour rocks | | (FFX Station) February 22, 2005 - 5.0/5 stars | | and so does this book. The tour is not a bike race, it is not a circus, it
is not a carnival...it is all that combined into a daily 100 mile traveling
rock concert...this book does justice to the race, the event, and the
experience like no other book that I have read. |
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