List of Book Reviews

18 thoughts on “List of Book Reviews”

1. Pingback: inrng : book review - coppi, inside the legend of the campionissimo

2. Hello INRNG,

   May I suggest “The Escape Artist” by Matt Seaton. Really one of the best reads in my humble opinion. Mr. Seaton writes about his life as it evolves around bikeracing; from a young boy into adulthood and responsibilities. A stunning book.
   Other must reads would include
   “Bikie” by Charlie Woods
   “Tomorrow we ride” by Jean Bobet (the brother)
   “Put me back on my bike” by William Fotheringham
   Ulf

3. One that is a personal favourite is “Kings of the Mountains” by Matt Rendell, though I guess that is partly because I haven’t been able to find a definitive book on Colombian cycling. It’s a bit difficult to find, as it is out of print, but I know that Klaus over at Cycling Inquisition had a few copies available not too long ago. Definitely worth checking out!

4. Le Tour de France Intime is available in English. I just checked my bookshelf and it’s there.

   A few that I’d recommend from the old days:
   The Giro d’Italia by Dino Buzzati on the 1949 Giro Coppi vs. Bartali
   Devil’s Island and the Tour de France by Albert Londres on the 1924 (this was a freebie from Cycle Sport a few years ago)
   1904: The Tour de France Which Was to Be the Last by Jacques Seray (my copy’s missing so someone borrowed it and didn’t return it)

5. I’d thoroughly recommend Phil Gaimon’s Pro Cycling on $10 a Day.

   It’s well written, full of hilarious anecdotes and blokey one-liners. However it also sheds light on the serious realities of trying to rise to the top in the modern sport; the hard work, the setbacks and low wages, BS peddling team managers and racing against ‘ex-dopers’. And, not to spoil the plot, it’s got a happy ending!

   • Yeah I agree I am nearly finished with that book now and I am stretching out the last pages because I dont want it to end …. unusual for me

6. One of my favourite books is “Bicycle History” by James L. Witherell. It is a chronological history of the bicycle. I thought it might be tough to read, but indeed it was so fascinating that I couldn’t stop. Today we forget that before the automobile it was the bicycle that really had an impact on everyday life. It changed the possibilities of the working world, was used as a propaganda tool in politics and provided a new freedom of movement and speed. There were bicycle classes, bicycle clubs, bicycle laws, bicycle trains…. A whole new world.
   The book has little pearls like this: For the TdF 1920 every rider had to give a suit to the organizers so he has something to wear in case his luggage gets lost. There are also poetic, sad anecdotes like the one of José Meiffret and his last will. You’ll find interesting informations about the different tactics the bike manufacturers used over time to sell their bikes and much, much more.

7. Someone else has already recommended it but The Escape Artist is one of the best books i have ever read let alone being about cycling; I suppose it’s not about professional cycling but about how the author using bike racing to cope with difficulties in his life.

   I’d also recommend The Hour by Michael Hutchinson (quite time appropriate given Jens feat on the track recently) and The Flying Scotsman by/about Graeme Obree which also deals with his hour record feats as well as his battle with depression (Edward Pickering’s The Race Against Time is also a great book comparing Obree to his rival and contemporary Chris Boardman)

8. In pursuit of Stardom – les Nomads du Velo Anglais by Tim Hewson.

   A well written account of the early days of the English Invasion of the continental racing scene, witty, intelligent, exciting and heart wrenching at times

9. Anyone know any good vuelta history books? Feels like a gap in the market?

   • Viva La Vuelta! – The Story Of Spain’s Great Bike Race, by Lucy Fallon and Adrian Bell

10. Hey INRNG

    How about doing Christophe Basson’s A Clean Break – My Story

    I just inhaled it yesterday and despite the cynicism I thoroughly enjoyed its apparent frankness.

    Peace

11. I can strongly recommend “Obssessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder” by Dave Barter published by Phaased Publications.
    All keen cyclists will relate to the authors amusing stories.

12. I have just finished reading Hunger by Sean Kelly. OK I am biased as he is my favourite rider but its an inspiration and a real insight.

13. Hej;

    I would love to know your thoughts on this one:

    http://www.velopress.com/books/reading-the-race/

    Is it wright? Does it help in racing? And most important does it help in watching races?

14. Hi inrng,

    Just for the images, unless you can read German: Hugo Goblet, Der ‘Pédaleur de charme’ ISBN: 3-909111-18-1

    Regards,
    Phil (Still cycling the Colle Gallo with Monica, we’ve added a few more though!)

15. I thought David Millar’s book ‘Racing through the dark’ was a great book but then I picked up ‘A clean Break’ by Christophe Bassons. You will never look at the peloton the same way after this read. What an amazing man. The fact that he made all that noise in 1999 the year of Armstrong’s first Tour win, we could have saved all those wasted years. I take my helmet off to the man. Shame on the rest of them.

16. It was there, as I came close to the last reach Carter’s Summit,
    90 miles in, that I was literally aiming to breathe in between dry-heaves.

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