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Kirkus Reviews, 6/1/09 ""[A] detailed...biography of one of the world's most inspiring athletes...Wilcockson is at his best describing this tortuous 2,200-mile event, which tests athletes to the breaking point, and he ably captures the world of European cycling-the techniques, personalities and overwhelming passion."" Booklist, 5/15/09 ""Cycling fans will enjoy the summaries of Armstrong's racing triumphs, and there are lots of fascinating insider anecdotes to flesh out the story line. This subject-friendly biography of one of the world's most famous sports luminaries is sure to get lots of media hype and be in considerable demand."" Library Journal ""This book offers stories and insights that will make it a popular choice for those who follow Armstrong and/or his sport."" PW.com ""Wilcockson has tracked down an array of impressive sources...Armstrong has led an extraordinary life so far..."" The Independent (UK), 7/19/09 ""[A] fascinating, very well put-together portrait full of insights into its subject's personality...The adult dramas - the rise to cycling prominence and his domination of the Tour, the cancer and the setting up of his cancer foundation, his marriage, fatherhood, divorce, and his relationship with Sheryl Crow - are better known, but in Wilcockson's hands they remain rich in the re-telling, and much is added to our understanding of a tumultuous life."" The Guardian (UK), 7/19/09 ""[S]ceptics might be less surprised to witness Armstrong's renaissance if they had read John Wilcockson's new biography."" The Texas Observer, 7/10/09 ""Wilcockson is able to offer the inside dope (pun intended) on the champ's training techniques, his rise through the ranks and his triumph over family strife and cancer to emerge as one of the planet's best-known athletes...Wilcockson certainly knows the business of bike racing, and he delivers a fine primer."" The Daily Beast ""Lance is a compelling story of survival and, above all else, endurance."" The New York Times, 7/23/09 ""Another Armstrong book?...Is there anything left to say or explain? Yes there is and Wilcockson says it and explains it meticulously, even controversially...Confident, confrontational, motivated by anger and a fear of failure - these well-known Armstrong traits are explored at length by Wilcockson in a series of interviews with figures in the rider's past, including his adopted father, his early mentor, relatives and boyhood friends and the doctor who first diagnosed the testicular cancer that had spread to the rider's brain, lungs and stomach. Lance lets them all speak as Wilcockson blends their stories into a skillful portrait to detail the book's subtitle, The Making of the World's Greatest Champion."" The New York Times, 7/23/09 ""Another Armstrong book?...Is there anything left to say or explain? Yes there is and Wilcockson says it and explains it meticulously, even controversially...Lance lets them all speak as Wilcockson blends their stories into a skillful portrait."" San Antonio Express News, 7/27/09 ""If you're an Armstrong follower, a cyclist or a fan of sports nonfiction, Lance won't disappoint."" Bike World News, 9/1 ""[F]or fans of Armstrong who are looking for a comprehensive look at his life, this book would fit the bill."" Buffalo News, 9/6 ""[Wilcockson] offers a unique biography of Armstrong that intertwines the personal with the professional.""

Detailed, hagiographic biography of one of the world's most inspiring athletes.Sports and fitness journalist Wilcockson - who previously wrote about Lance Armstrong in 23 Days in July (2004) - begins with Armstrong's childhood in Texas, during which he matured under the watchful eyes of a doting mother and a disciplinarian yet generous stepfather. By his mid teens he had become a nationally ranked triathlete and was soon reaping the rewards of his notoriety. Yet, as Wilcockson learned from interviews with Armstrong's friends and family, there was anger in him, possibly stemming from the discovery of his stepfather's infidelity. There was also arrogance - success had come too easily. In 1996, the 25-year-old Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had metastasized to his lungs, abdomen and brain. Given a 50 percent chance of survival, his future looked bleak. But in 1999, after brain surgery and debilitating chemotherapy, Armstrong won the Tour de France - and would win it another six consecutive years, all the while fighting baseless accusations of doping. Wilcockson is at his best describing this tortuous 2,200-mile event, which tests athletes to the breaking point, and he ably captures the world of European cycling - the techniques, personalities and overwhelming passion. The author also outlines Armstrong's personal life, including his failed marriage, relationship with singer Sheryl Crow and the growth of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and its Live Strong campaign. Ultimately, though, Armstrong remains a mystery. For all the detail he provides, Wilcockson - perhaps being too close to the subject - never quite penetrates the protective shield of Armstrong's public persona.Serviceable but not definitive. (Kirkus Reviews)

Kirkus Reviews, 6/1/09 [A] detailed...biography of one of the world's most inspiring athletes...Wilcockson is at his best describing this tortuous 2,200-mile event, which tests athletes to the breaking point, and he ably captures the world of European cycling-the techniques, personalities and overwhelming passion. Booklist, 5/15/09 Cycling fans will enjoy the summaries of Armstrong's racing triumphs, and there are lots of fascinating insider anecdotes to flesh out the story line. This subject-friendly biography of one of the world's most famous sports luminaries is sure to get lots of media hype and be in considerable demand. Library Journal This book offers stories and insights that will make it a popular choice for those who follow Armstrong and/or his sport. PW.com Wilcockson has tracked down an array of impressive sources...Armstrong has led an extraordinary life so far... The Independent (UK), 7/19/09 [A] fascinating, very well put-together portrait full of insights into its subject's personality...The adult dramas - the rise to cycling prominence and his domination of the Tour, the cancer and the setting up of his cancer foundation, his marriage, fatherhood, divorce, and his relationship with Sheryl Crow - are better known, but in Wilcockson's hands they remain rich in the re-telling, and much is added to our understanding of a tumultuous life. The Guardian (UK), 7/19/09 [S]ceptics might be less surprised to witness Armstrong's renaissance if they had read John Wilcockson's new biography. The Texas Observer, 7/10/09 Wilcockson is able to offer the inside dope (pun intended) on the champ's training techniques, his rise through the ranks and his triumph over family strife and cancer to emerge as one of the planet's best-known athletes...Wilcockson certainly knows the business of bike racing, and he delivers a fine primer. The Daily Beast Lance is a compelling story of survival and, above all else, endurance. The New York Times, 7/23/09 Another Armstrong book?...Is there anything left to say or explain? Yes there is and Wilcockson says it and explains it meticulously, even controversially...Confident, confrontational, motivated by anger and a fear of failure - these well-known Armstrong traits are explored at length by Wilcockson in a series of interviews with figures in the rider's past, including his adopted father, his early mentor, relatives and boyhood friends and the doctor who first diagnosed the testicular cancer that had spread to the rider's brain, lungs and stomach. Lance lets them all speak as Wilcockson blends their stories into a skillful portrait to detail the book's subtitle, The Making of the World's Greatest Champion. The New York Times, 7/23/09 Another Armstrong book?...Is there anything left to say or explain? Yes there is and Wilcockson says it and explains it meticulously, even controversially...Lance lets them all speak as Wilcockson blends their stories into a skillful portrait. San Antonio Express News, 7/27/09 If you're an Armstrong follower, a cyclist or a fan of sports nonfiction, Lance won't disappoint. Bike World News, 9/1 [F]or fans of Armstrong who are looking for a comprehensive look at his life, this book would fit the bill. Buffalo News, 9/6 [Wilcockson] offers a unique biography of Armstrong that intertwines the personal with the professional.

Kirkus Reviews , 6/1/09<br> [A] detailed...biography of one of the world's most inspiring athletes...Wilcockson is at his best describing this tortuous 2,200-mile event, which tests athletes to the breaking point, and he ably captures the world of European cycling--the techniques, personalities and overwhelming passion. <br><p> Booklist , 5/15/09<br> Cycling fans will enjoy the summaries of Armstrong's racing triumphs, and there are lots of fascinating insider anecdotes to flesh out the story line. This subject-friendly biography of one of the world's most famous sports luminaries is sure to get lots of media hype and be in considerable demand. <p> Library Journal <br> This book offers stories and insights that will make it a popular choice for those who follow Armstrong and/or his sport. <p>PW.com<br> Wilcockson has tracked down an array of impressive sources...Armstrong has led an extraordinary life so far... <p> The Independent (UK), 7/19/09<br> [A] fascinating, very well put-together portrait full of insights into its subject's personality...The adult dramas - the rise to cycling prominence and his domination of the Tour, the cancer and the setting up of his cancer foundation, his marriage, fatherhood, divorce, and his relationship with Sheryl Crow - are better known, but in Wilcockson's hands they remain rich in the re-telling, and much is added to our understanding of a tumultuous life. <p> The Guardian (UK), 7/19/09<br> [S]ceptics might be less surprised to witness Armstrong's renaissance if they had read John Wilcockson's new biography. <p> The Texas Observer , 7/10/09<br> Wilcockson is able to offer the inside dope (pun intended) on the champ's training techniques, his rise through the ranks and his triumph over family strife and cancer to emerge as one of the planet's best-known athletes...Wilcockson certainly knows the business of bike racing, and he delivers a fine primer. <p>The Daily Beast<br> Lance is a compelling story of survival and,

Author Information

John Wilcockson has written for Outside and Men's Journal, among other publications. He is the author of 23 Days in July, one of ESPN's ""Top 10 Sports Books of the Year,"" and lives in Boulder, Colorado.

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