Lance Armstrong’s War – Book Review
Every three or four weeks I go in search of a new inspiration book to read during my spare time.
Lance Armstrong's War by Daniel Coyle was my most recent and most interesting read. Most anyone in sports and a lot that don't participate in sports are aware of Lance Armstrong's history with cancer and his remarkable come back to win 7 Tour de Frances.
Daniel Coyle's book chronicles the people and events before and during the Lance's 6th Tour win.
When I first picked up the book, I found the title intriguing and was expecting a firsthand account of Lance's quest to win the biggest Tour race in bicycling.
However, the book includes very little of Lance's insight but rather tells the story from the perspective of the people around him. Interestingly, these people all see Lance Armstrong as being a strong willed and extremely driven individual. Who pushes both himself and people around him to levels that potentially even they never thought possible. And his does this by being a person who pays the utmost attention to details because paying attention to the details is what make one successful.
As you progress through the book you begin to understand why the book is titled "Lance Armstrong's War". Based on the different views presented, Lance appears to be at war with everyone: competitors, media, race official, and to some extent with the persona that he has built of himself.
After finishing the book, I wondered if Lance actually read the book and what he thought of other people's opinion. But then based on the book, Lance appears to thrive in the chaos that swirls around and potentially doesn't put much value in the opinion of others beyond his close-knit cycle of friends.
But the book does provide a unique perspective. We as human beings have what we believe are our view of the world and how people see us. Rarely do we get the opportunity to view of our selves based on how other people see us.
In summary, the book provides a rewind of Lance's 6th tour attempt. If you are into cycling and enjoy reading about Lance Armstrong, you can stop by bookstore and check it.
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