It's all about second chances
Written: Aug 08 '01 (Updated Sep 06 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inspirational, honest, motivational, easy to read,
Cons: Revised version needed to update Lance's success story
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended reading for anyone in need of motivation.
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| akshobhyavajra's Full Review: Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins - It's Not About... |
Preface
By now all of Europe and the Americas know of Lance Armstrong, the Texan who beat cancer and went on to win the leader's jersey of the Tour de France four consecutive years in a row - something never accomplished by an American riding in the European peloton.
Part One
In the first part of his book Armstrong presents a biographical tour of his life from childhood, the relationships which shaped him and the natural abilities as an athlete. He is honest about himself, his character and subsequent flaws. He places a lot of emphasis on the deep and meaningful relationship with his mother.
Part Two
The second part of the book deals with the discovery, diagnosis, battle and remission of cancer. He ignored the early warning signs and did not seek help until he started throwing up blood. After he went to see a specialist he received the diagnosis of his cancer (he was 25 years of age at the time).
The book further tells the story of him starting the Lance Armstrong Foundation where he met his future wife. Lance also makes a good point of getting numerous opinions when confronted with a serious disease. Obtaining a qualified physician is much of the battle.
Armstrong is once again very open and honest in sharing his emotional state with the reader. He writes in detail about the disease, the process of chemotherapy, and the many professionals, friends and family who supported him through very dark and uncertain times.
Part Three
The final part of Armstrong's book is too good to be true. In it he describes his recovery or remission, if you will, the fact that he also gets the girl and goes on to prove the entire cycling establishment (which rejected him due to his disease) wrong by winning the 1999 Tour de France as a member of the USPS team. None of the pages are sugar coated. Lance describes in detail what it feels like to be dropped by sponsors, to struggle back into racing shape, and how to cycle arguably one of the most grueling races in the world.
Conclusion
Negative
There are aspects of the book which are unattractive, such as the self-absorbed nature of Armstrong as an athlete and materialistic objectives associated with professional sports. However, this is part of reality as well and does add inside perspective to sponsored athletics.
Positive
As a member of a recovering community and a cyclist I found the book to be validation of my own personal struggle back to life and truly inspirational. However, anyone can clearly profit from the book and perhaps even receive an education in sheer courage and determination.
Perhaps the finest quote from his book is this: "If you ever get a second chance in life for something, you've got to go all the way." Lance Armstrong certainly did.
Recommended:
Yes
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akshobhyavajra
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Location: Boca Raton, FL
Reviews written: 31
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~Carpe diem - vita brevis~
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