Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion

I have known Lance Armstrong since he was a junior and have followed his surprising career both as fan and friend from the start. John Wilcockson's book is illuminating, extremely well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. It chronicles Lance's journey in detail but it's so well-written and absorbing that at times you might think you are reading a novel. As a lifelong student of cycling (and Olympic champion in 1984), I found many of the training details to be fascinating. I learned some lessons throughout and came away with even more respect for Lance the man. No other athlete has done as much for so many as Lance both on and off the bike. Read it. Share with friends. The perfect gift for any cycling fan or enthusiast.

Lance Armstrong - Making of THE Champion Author, writer and bike rider John Wilcockson delivers a story that weaves his intimate knowledge of a sport with authority and mastery, delving beneath the surface to deliver the punch of what really makes a champion. I found the writing style and contents to be engaging and insightful -not an easy achievement given the plethora of other writing on this man who has captured the imagination of almost anyone who has watched or read about the incomparable sport of cycling. It has been many years that I have picked up a book and literally read it cover to cover over (more than 400 pages!) in just a few days-the subject matter was compelling as was the writer's seemingly never ending source of reference materials from a spectrum of individuals who whether as family members or close friends, to direct competitors displayed unreserved respect for L.A.'s tenacity in pursuing his goal to prevail no matter what the obstacles that presented themselves. I found Wilcockson's interviews with L.A.s relatives particularly interesting in revealing the underlying reasons for unreserved drive and determination to excel. Whilst it might have been more "entertaining" to read about family problems that were not directly addressed in greater detail in this book, I think that the writer stayed true to his intent to provide an informative narrative of what made Armstrong the champion that he is. In a world of increasing competition to uncover, dissect and disseminate "the dirt" on icons such as L.A., I found this book a refreshing analysis of what made/makes a champion. The Press today seems to be more consumed in becoming part of the story than reporting it-nothing is truer than what has become almost an obsession of some in the media in Europe trying to tear down this man and his accomplishments with unsubstantiated allegations. An epiphany for me in reading this book was the author's revelation that what drove Armstrong to greater accomplishments was his direct reaction to disproving the invectives and accusations that were leveled at him by subsequent crushing successes! That alone made the book. Beyond such considerations, what really gives me a new (and greater) appreciation for the remarkable accomplishments of what I readily agree is the world's greatest athlete, are the compelling illustrations of the man's dedication and hard work to become and remain the best. The book shows years of sacrifice and preparation as the underpinnings of later, smarter, gruelling training rides in miserable conditions with a team of coaches and managers who understood what drove a champion and his metamorphosis to becoming THE champion. Non est ad astra mollis e terris via : there is no easy way from the earth to the stars. This is what Wilcockson drills down to in his book. A compelling and thoroughly captivating read!

Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion is an awesome book. I enjoyed reading it so much that I even read it twice, the second time being 3 weeks later. To get the biggest complaint out of the way: I'm not sure the book is completely objective. I think the author makes an effort to represent the doping suspicions fairly, but I also think the same author is a big Lance fan. Just like I am. So if you expect a fully objective investigative report, this is not it. Everything else about the book is absolutely awesome. The writing is clear, crisp, and well-organized, well-researched. There are many, many original interviews and first-hand / primary source telling of stories. The book's author, John Wilcockson, is a familiar figure. If you follow the Tour, even just on TV (as I do), you will know his voice and presence. His knowledge of the industry is very high, and his connections enabled a lot of the first-hand interviews that make up this book. The book covers Lance's youth, including his formative teenage years. His initial racing success, his battle with cancer, his return. His training regimen with a lot of details, and his big race success, especially in the Tour. It's all there. In glorious detail, if you're a tech geek like me. Note: I'm not actually a bicycle rider. I can ride, obviously, but I don't enjoy it much. I get bored. I have a lot of respect for people who are real riders, like my friends and colleague Jeremy. But I am not a rider myself and I know next to nothing about what it takes to be one. Lance's return from cancer is obviously inspiring to a lot of people. But reading how close he was to death, and how hard he's been working to get back in shape and stay there, makes it all the more inspiring. (Also posted on my blog.)

John Wilcockson, America's (and possibly the world's) most experienced cycling journalist, has put all his decades of insight and experience and polished writing style together to produce this most penetrating appraisal yet of this most enigmatic of sports heroes. That Lance has amazing physical attributes goes without saying. Less obvious are all the subtle influences acquired while growing up that have made Lance who he is. It's assumed the reader is already familiar with Armstrong's cycling accomplishments, so they are only referred to to help illustrate the more personal story. Here, however, are revealed the key personalities in Lance's youth, his early competitions in triathalons, his stupendous battle with cancer, his duel with those determined to prove him a doper, and his episodic romantic relationships. Not all questions the reader might ask are answered, but Wilcockson's book is probably about the best a mere mortal will be able to produce. In the end, Lance Armstrong is still a fascinating mystery, but after reading this ultimate tome on the subject that mystery will be of a whole different order. For all the distractions, this is one man who can collect his whole life and bring it to a level of focus the rest of us can hardly imagine. In short, the man deserves respect!

This is an outstanding book! Author John Wilcockson has written an absolutely fascinating, wonderfully informative, and totally engaging biography of one of the premier sports figures of our (or any) time, Lance Armstrong. The story of Armstrong's humble childhood (he was the product of a broken family) through his initial successes as a triathlete and eventually, a bicycle racer, is especially engrossing--as is the story of his absolutely incredible comeback after having one of the most severe cases of cancer his doctors had ever seen. One really gets a sense of the incredible grit and tenacity that would lead Armstrong to an unprecedented seven (and at this time, a possible--or probable--eight) victories in the Tour de France. Wilcockson fills out the biography with extensive quotes derived from interviews with all of the major protagonists in Armstrong's life: his family, friends, coaches, romantic interests, professional colleagues--this gives a wonderfully rich texture to the book and lets us really know the man rather than just the sports icon. In addition, Wilcockson doesn't shy away from addressing Armstrong's personal "foibles" (e.g., a certain recklessness and hauteur) and especially, the "doping" controversies that have surrounded Armstrong and many other successful athletes in the sport--he gives a fair and balanced picture of this thorny issue and convinces the reader that a combination of careful and relentless training, unyielding support from family, friends, and teammates, and the almost fanatical will to overcome obstacles has alone propelled Armstrong to the pinnacle of his success. In the final analysis, this book is a real inspiration (whether the reader happens to be athlete or not) and is very highly recommended indeed!