Customer Reviews

The Race: A Novel of Grit, Tactics, and the Tour de France

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Really excellent! If you like bicycle racing (or don't understand bicycle racing and Lance Armstrong's efforts for a sixth Tour de France win have you interested) I think you'll find this book as money well spent. You may lose some sleep, not get the lawn mowed or the car washed...but you will be glad you took the time to read this insightful story about a young man who makes it all the way from a small town in Utah to the Tour de France. The chapters describing the pain, effort and resolve neccessary to win a mountian stage in the Tour are worth the price of admission.

If you liked The Yellow Jersey by Hurne you'll enjoy this one as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Race". Like most who have commented, once I started reading it I couldn't put it down - had to read on to see what happened next. Mr. Shields has done a good job writing a fictional novel that contains all the "stuff" that you can guess that happens within a pro cycling team, with an international cast and varying degrees of ego. The characters, strategy, flashbacks to Ben's formative years create a good story with fast-paced action AND provide even non-cyclists with some motivation to never to give up. Cyclists and non-cyclists alike can enjoy this book. Bring on the sequel!

If you enjoy watching pro cycling on OLN then you will probably enjoy this book also.
Very fast reading, not a long story but the author paints a great word picture of pro cycling. Of course there is a bit of romance, drama, conflict, etc but mostly you feel like you are the one attacking on the mountain.
Fun book!!

What an exciting read. Dave took me for the ride of my life with this book. He had me twisting and turning, hitting the brakes, bunny hopping, sweating, swearing, crying and just being down right happy. I couldn't put the darn thing down. Anybody who rides a bike will love this book. His writing style is easy to follow and makes you feel like you are right there. When I finished the book, I wanted more! You will not be dissapointed by this book. Do yourself a big favor, read it.

this book should be read by anyone who loves the sport of cycling and for those who are not familiar with it, the story is gripping. great insight into the competitive world of international cycling without being dull or dry to the neophyte. the author makes excellent use of forward and past to weave his story into a seamless tale of self-discovery and achievement. has our board raving and looking for more!

I had the privilege to meet and work with Dave throughout the 2004 Tour de Georgia. He didn't talk fancy, use long words, or a vast vocabulary. He's just a great normal guy like you or me. He works a regular job and enjoys free lance writing. But this book will definately turn him pro! Other than liking his quiet unassuming dedicated hard-working (triathlon training!) demeanor and wishing him well, I simply had no idea what fantastic writing ability he would display in The Race. Buy this book! It grabs you with the Prologue (watch for the unexpected on just the 2nd page!) with 14 yr old Ben (remember Breaking Away?), jumps to his life as a pro domestique in Chapter 1, fills in the gaps with memories while pounding the pedals, and never lets up straight to the top of L'Alpe-D'Huez and beyond. It's about more than the bike! I guarantee you'll enjoy it and be recommending it to others!

This is a book you must read. Simply said.. it is perfect.

What an exciting book! I started reading late at night. Bad mistake. I finally forced myself to put down the book at 3:00 a.m. so I could be a responsible citizen when the sun rose (I finished it the next night). As a recreational bicyclist with limited exposure to the racing world, I was intrigued with the book from start to finish. Thank you for providing an exhilarating glimpse into a racing culture I have never quite understood. I've got to think any racing enthusiast -- biking or otherwise -- would love this book. But I think it also will appeal to a more general audience of non-racers like myself. Thanks again!

WOW!!! I must say Dave knows how to get the reader to grip just a little harder. This is a page turner you won't be able to put down till he end. I wish this was a hardcover because I was pushing and pulling on the cover just like they were my handlebars. The book looks like it went through the wash or something. It's just a terrific book!!! I meet Dave in Dalton, Ga for the Tour de Georgia and told him how much I liked the book and that I'm waiting for the next one. Dave is a great writer.

The author takes you into the mind of a talented but underachieving athlete. His self-doubts are reinforced by an obnoxious competitor, an abusive team director and a strict father; and tempered by several loved ones and a surprising ally. This journey of self-discovery is expertly woven into gripping heart-thumping accounts of the Tour de France. I felt like I was on the bike; couldn't put the book down. I relished the insight into the fascinatingly complex tactics of pro cycling and the author shined a rare spotlight onto the darker side of team politics.