New book offers a comprehensive look at the life of Lance Armstrong

While there have been a good number of books written about Lance Armstrong, few have gone as far in depth into his life and influences as “Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion”. While the title leans strongly towards hagiography, this is a truly comprehensive journalistic body of work. Author John Wilcockson looks at Armstrong’s life from varying perspectives and talks to a number of sources that hadn’t been fully explored in other books.

The book covers Armstrong’s life from his humble birth all the way to his announcing his comeback last year.

What I found most interesting about the book was the influence of others on his athletic career. Few doubt that Armstrong has been blessed with extraordinary physical and genetic gifts, but there were a number of instances where he, for lack of a better term, could not get out of his own way. His early days in professional cycling were characterized by going out harder than everyone else, then blowing up. It took the influence of mentors such as Jim Ochowicz, David Phinney and Sean Yates to teach him when to preserve his energy and when to attack and leave everyone behind.

While the book does not really give an in depth examination of the doping scandals, it balances that with an intense focus on how Armstrong got to where he is: an undeniably strong physical engine, unwavering confidence and competitive drive, a willingness to explore any technological innovation that may help him go faster and the motivational skills of a battlefield commander to rally his “troops” to propel him to victory.

Armstrong’s battle with cancer, which has been covered extensively in other works, is treated more as a speed bump on the road to victory. From feeling a lump in his testicle to what was seemingly a death sentence to treatment, survival and an incredible comeback all goes by very quickly.

For fans of Armstrong who are looking for a compehensive look at his life, this book would fit the bill. Wilcockson had access to Armstrong, his friends and even his detractors and presents a balanced look at all of the influences that made him who he is today.

We have a copy of this book to give away. Send an e-mail to wgc-contest@bikeworldnews.com between now and September 15th to be entered to win. Be sure to use a valid e-mail address so we can contact you.

LANCE: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion
Author: John Wilcockson
Publisher: Da Capo
Pages: 384
Order: Here
Strengths: Incredibly thorough, well-sourced, well-written; makes sense of the Armstrong legend.
Weaknesses: “World’s greatest champion” notion is overblown.

Rating (4 out of 5):

Tags: cancer, cycling, doping, focus, john wilcockson, Lance, Lance Armstrong, lance armstrong biography, lance: the making of the world's greatest champion