The story of a young bicycle racer who survived a horrifying crash in France in 2006, this true account is inspirational for cycling fans, those who have coped with brain and spinal cord injuries, and anyone who is uplifted by the heroic efforts of a come-back kid. Already a seasoned veteran of adversity, Saul Raisin struggled in his teens with severe kyphosis—exaggerated outward curvature of the spine—and went on to fight his way to the elite levels of professional cycling. After his 2006 accident, no one thought he would live, let alone race again. Detailing the course of his recovery, Saul focuses on his parents' frantic navigation of the French health-care system, the frightening challenges that confront the families of patients with brain injuries, and his own journey back from pain and despair.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In 2006, 23-year-old Raisin was on his way to an impressive cycling career when a bad crash sent him into a coma, necessitating emergency brain surgery. Doctors told Raisin's frantic parents he probably wouldn't make it, and that if he did, he'd be confined to bed, "or at best a wheelchair for the rest of his life." What follows is Raisin's long, miraculous, tear-jerking fight back to the cycling arena. Hospitalized in France for 28 days, Raisin finally returns to America and his Georgia home to begin his recovery; one of the peculiarities of his brain injury is that even while actively recovering, his brain would not process the extent of his injuries: "My wonderful life has somehow become scrambled beyond repair." In an especially moving passage, Raisin discovers for the first time exactly what happened to him and the severity of his injuries by Googling his name. Determined to win back what he lost, Raisin sets his own stakes: "They said I could never walk, so I say I will run. They said I could never ride a bike, so I say I'll compete in another race." Stilted dialog, especially in the first half, tends to distract, as do occasional, unnecessary tangents (e.g., doping, Lance Armstrong), but not enough to keep this memorable story of personal and family crisis from engaging and inspiring.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Winner, Best Sports Biography of 2007 from USA Book News
"Maybe the next American Tour [de France] winner sitting right here, Saul Raisin." —Bob Roll, cycling icon and broadcaster
"'Will touch your heart, your mind, and enhance your own value of living every day with gusto." —The Paceline
"There's only one problem for Saul Raisin. One miracle—living through a horrific crash, a coma, and severe brain injury—isn't enough. He wants to race again." —Bicycling Magazine
"A story of a fighter who never gives up. A man who knows that anything is possible." —Inside Edition, KUTV 2, Salt Lake City
"One of the most heart-felt and motivating books I have ever read." —Bicycle.net
"[Dave Shields] captures the miracle and dedication, hard work, and care that went into Saul's physical recovery." —Pedal Pushers On-Line
"Phenomenal. A really, really good book!" —Bob Babbitt, sports reporter on endurance athletics
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "Lance-like" Story,
By
This review is from: Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition (Hardcover)
Unbelivable story of an athlete that comes back from a injury that many would not have survived. Saul has amazing stamina and is a rider that has the potential to win many major races and to come back from this injury in this sport is simply stunning. Having raced bikes myself at a high level, I know how hard it can be...
A huge difference between Lance's situation and Saul's is that his team stood behind him. Armstrong did not get that support. Kudos to Credit Agricole for being there for him, and for his family. Dave Shield's telling of this story and depending on the recollections of Saul, his parents, and all the other people involved had to be extremely difficult. Shields tells it like he was sitting in the room. I was lucky to get a copy that both Shields and Raisin signed...when Saul wins the Tour de France, it'll be a treasured item. Bike racing's all about being able to suffer. Saul knows what real suffering is like. It can change your whole persepctive. Go Saul...Raisin Hell.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
TERRIFIC INSPIRING READ,
By
This review is from: Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition (Hardcover)
An outstanding read from the first page to the last. Whether you are a fan of cycling or not, it is insightful and a testament to the courage needed by a family when their son is cruelly hurt in a professional road cycling race. Not only is he expected to die, he is in a foreign country where culture dictates a different approach to the medical process than here in the states. As a parent I cannot imagine the horror and confusion.
The second half of the book is told from the perspective of the patient as he rehabs from a serious brain injury. The work involved, the progression from "fog" to light. So incredibly insightful even if you are not a cycling fan to watch how his brain slowly reawakens. I could not put this book down. The Raisin parents are two ordinary people who rise to an extraordinary challenge with brilliance. Saul is amazing in his fierce desire to get back to "normal". I had the pleasure of meeting all three of them prior to reading this story, although as a fan of cycling I was familiar on the surface with the story of his accident. They are the nicest people you would want to meet. Kudos also to Credit Agricole for their full support of this young man in his time of need. Read this book, you will be inspired and amazed. The brain is an amazing thing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goes beyond cycling to be an inspiration for everyone,
By Katie K. "Katie K." (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition (Hardcover)
Although the center of this story is a cyclist, the book is an inspiring story about a family's courage and an individual's recovery from a traumatic accident. I read it over the Thanksgiving weekend and it is a wonderful reminder of all the things for which we should give thanks.
This book would be a great gift for the family of anyone recovering from a brain injury or any other injury requiring extensive rehab. It shows the toll that an accident can take on the family and the individual, and shows that many "lows" are a part of the recovery process. But it is also a inspriring story of life and love.
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