The Story of the Tour De France

Bill and Carol have have given us a wonderful history of the first 60 years of the Tour de France. They have brought to life riders who are long forgotten but deserve to be remembered. The descriptions of riders with all of their strengths and flaws make them human. The descriptions of the races themsleves give the reader the impression that Bill was in the follow car behind the race. The Tour de France is a fascinating and complicated topic, and Bill and Carol do it justice and then some.

Beyond the descriptions of the races, the explanation of how the race itself developed and evolved is fascinating. To have a world class treatment of cycling history and sports marketing on the same pages is truly remarkable. I had no idea that a possible explanation for the yellow jersey is that yellow cloth was the cheapest cloth.

Finally, this book is a fun read. Bill and Carol's passion for cycling comes through beautifully. They express opinions and present the colorful history of the Tour in a lively and engaging manner. You will be richly rewarded for picking up this book.

I'll admit this right up front. I'm a big-time fan of the Tour de France, and pre-disposed to liking this book. But this is a GREAT book anyway. Bill knows his subject, and writes as if he's the one newspaper reporter covering the race who really does have the inside scoop on what's going on. He lays out each year's race chronologically, taking no shortcuts, and always leaving you with that desire to know what happens next. You can put it down between years, but I dare you to find a stopping point within the chapter of each race!

This is not a coffee-table book with great photos, nor is it a first-person journey like Paul Kimmage's excellent "Rough Ride." Rather, it's a compelling re-telling of the race itself, seen with the clarity and knowledge that comes from exceptional research, in a style more similar to Sports Illustrated than a history book. Can't wait for Volume II covering 1965-on.

The Story of the Tour de France, Volume 1, is not only the finest documentary of the world's greatest sporting event, it genuinely places each moment of the Tour, from inception through 1964, within the political, social, and historical context of the time. This intelligently-written book gives the reader a focused sense of what things were like at the creation of the race, and how it changed through the years, right up to the dawn of modern bicycle racing. Bill and Carol craft narratives of the races that are crystaline, and they capture the pivotal moments of each race, always conveying the urgency and excitement. Nowhere have I seen these great races described in such interesting and captivating detail. The reader is placed back in time, observing these great riders almost as if they are there. More than just a series of race synopses, the book delves into the riding styles, personality traits, weaknesses, and foibles of many of the riders, giving a truly 3-dimensional picture of the races and racers. And when words cannot describe the torture of these early races, there are many photographs showing riders toiling over mountain passes on unpaved roads.

Many road biking enthusiasts may have heard the names Coppi, Anquetil, Leducq, and others, but they have never had them described so vividly. I know of no other book that provides imagery of the Tour de France as this book does. In that respect, it is singular and unique, and if it weren't so well wordsmithed, it would still win by default. If you ride a bicycle; if you have watched the Tour de France on television; or if you have an interest in the most grueling sporting event in the world, you must read this book. I can't wait for Volume 2.

Very highly recommended.

Bill and Carol McGann have created an excellent blend of "who did what and when" along with background information to allow the reader to truly understand the spectacle that is Le Tour de France.
I've personally seen various stages of the race most years dating back to 1988 and reading some of the passages Bill and Carol have written about those and other editions make me think somehow Bill was there too. I eagerly await their upcoming history of my favorite race, Il Giro d'Italia!

As soon as I began reading this book on the website I was hooked; as hooked as we all were watching Stephen Roche catch up with Pedro Delgado at the top of La Plagne in stage 21 of the 1987 Tour or Greg LeMond's 8 second Tour victory over Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Elyses in 1989. These Tour memories are but two of many contained within this wonderful read. As I skimmed through the book, page by page, I knew I just had to have it and so I bought it. The book is an absolute treasure chest of all you ever needed to know about the most gruelling, and yet with it the most captivating, bike race in the world. It is such a joy to read because Bill and Carol have obviously completed what must have been a labour of love for them. And if the writing, which is superb, is not worth the purchase price alone then the photographs are breathtaking. I only hope my forthcoming "Tour de France Miscellany" (Carlton Publishing) is as good as "The Story of the Tour de France".
John White, Author of the "Tour de France Quiz Book" with a Foreword by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen (Apex Publishing Limited, £8.99).