Seven Deadly SinsMy Pursuit of Lance Armstrong
David Walsh
The story of Lance Armstrong—the cyclist who recovered from testicular cancer and went on to win the Tour de France a record seven times, the man who wrote a bestselling and inspirational account of his life, the charitable benefactor—seemed almost too good to be true. And it was.
As early as Armstrong’s first victory on the Tour in 1999, The Sunday Times (London) journalist David Walsh had reason to think that the incredible performances we were seeing from Armstrong were literally too good to be true. Based on insider information and dogged research, he began to unmask the truth. Cycling’s biggest star used every weapon in his armory to protect his name.
But he could not keep everyone silent.
In the autumn of 2012, the US Anti-Doping Agency published a damning report on Armstrong that resulted in the American being stripped of his seven Tour victories and left his reputation in shreds. Walsh’s long fight to reveal the truth had been vindicated. This book tells the compelling story of one man’s struggle to bring that truth to light against all the odds. (cover image and synopsis via Netgalley).
As early as Armstrong’s first victory on the Tour in 1999, The Sunday Times (London) journalist David Walsh had reason to think that the incredible performances we were seeing from Armstrong were literally too good to be true. Based on insider information and dogged research, he began to unmask the truth. Cycling’s biggest star used every weapon in his armory to protect his name.
But he could not keep everyone silent.
In the autumn of 2012, the US Anti-Doping Agency published a damning report on Armstrong that resulted in the American being stripped of his seven Tour victories and left his reputation in shreds. Walsh’s long fight to reveal the truth had been vindicated. This book tells the compelling story of one man’s struggle to bring that truth to light against all the odds. (cover image and synopsis via Netgalley).
My Thoughts
This was a very interesting, well written book of the author’s relentless need to tell the truth. Talk about perseverance! Mr. Walsh was adamant in wanting to tell the story of doping in the world of cycling, even when most sports journalist where willing to look the other way.
I wanted to read this book because I felt like I was probably one of the last schmucks who believed Lance Armstrong and thought he was being trashed simply because he was good enough to win numerous Tour de France races. No one was more appalled than me when after numerous years of denial, Armstrong finally decided to come clean.
Bravo for you Mr. Walsh for not giving up. What a story!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster/Atria and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: December 13, 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment