The Podium Girl Gone Bad - Behind the Podium Tales From the Tour de France (Paperback)

~ Sammarye Lewis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the most original sound in the bike-race commentary is the written voice of Podium Girl Gone Bad… -- Bicycling Magazine, August 2004

Product Description

Twisted tales from the Tour de France written with sly humor, a cheeky attitude and a fractured French accent.

Who is The Podium Girl Gone Bad? Following hot on the wheels of the historic 2004 Tour de France is the publication of a zany, outrageous satire about the venerable Tour de France. The Podium Girl Gone Bad - Behind the Podium Tales from the Tour de France is a unique and wickedly sly little book written by Sammarye Lewis of San Jose, CA. Accompanying the book is a line of merchandise with a cigarette-smoking, booze-toting Podium Girl Gone Bad logo, featuring Zee Naughty PGGB Thong. The Thong has become The Hot, Must-Have Item for cycling fans this year. Podium Girl Gone Bad is the buzz in the cycling community and is expected to be the top choice as the unique gift for the cyclist who has everything this Christmas.

Bob Roll read zee leetle Podium Girl Gone Bad book at Le Tour and loved it. "This book is a fantastic read. Get out your credit card real quick", says Bobki. Paul Sherwen requested an autographed copy for his library in South Africa.

The little book is a compilation of all the twisted tales and photos from the warped experiences of The PGGB as she lurks behind the Podium at the Tour de France. The cheeky attitude and fractured French accent of The Podium Girl Gone Bad appeals to cycling fans around the world: "Last week, dearies, I saw a bright red, skin-tight little strappy thing on a Podium Girl. Zee hemline was so short that men in zee front row were leaning forward, as though in prayer. Their eyes rolled upwards, but I think not to zee Heavens. Extra high-heel strappy black sandals and long blonde hair were merely icing on zee cake, so to speak."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (June 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591135206
• ISBN-13: 978-1591135203
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,344,038 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Podium Girl : Unfortunately , , January 24, 2006

By	New Mexico Chile (Atlanta , GA) - See all my reviews

I having been purchasing books from Amazon since 1997. When I read reviews I usually avoid the apathetic reviews because I figure they are off base with an agenda. Ironically , I am here to write my first review and it is unfortunately pessimistic.

Sammarye Lewis is a first rate photographer and does a wonderful job posting her VeloGal Race blogs for cycling enthusiasts like myself.I have the utmost respect for her professionalism with her reporting.

I understand this book is to poke fun at the behind the scenes of The Tour De France. First, the book is only 45 pages and very small.The editor and publisher should be fired for selling a book like this for $14.95. I finished the book in 15 minutes. Your first thought, I was taken.


There is no story to the book, just a few rambling attempts at humor under the photo on each page.For example, there is a picture of trash in a clear plastic bag. Underneath an attempt at French humor about some item in the bag.

A picture of a pro cyclist kissing a podium girl was a good idea(a big no/no in cycling). But the photograph is modified to look like a comic strip cartoon. The effect, you have no idea who are the two people! I could give you another twenty examples of wasted material but I hate people who rant on these reviews. The guy who posted the above review must be married to the publisher.

Sammarye, you and your publisher need to review what your charging for this "book"....$3.95 would be more appropriate. You can do better, I have seen your work cycling websites!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I guess I don't get it, January 27, 2006

By	Jack (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a big fan of the Tour, without taking it too seriously, but I don't find this book to be clever, funny or interesting. And the production quality looks like it was thrown together in someone's basement. Based on all of the hype, I was expecting much more.

11 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bad? No!!! Hilariously funny? YES!!!!, July 31, 2004

By	A ANDERSON "Redhugh" (Ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of all the thousands of books, not to mention the millions of words, written about the Tour de France, none come as close as this little gem to deserving the Yellow Jersey of comedy. This is like 'Mrs Monty Python does the Tour de France'!
Written with wit and invention, this hilarious little gem gives us a wonderfully funny sideways look at the world's greatst bicycle race, the great race seen through the eyes of a Podium Girl who is, shall we say, no quite still at her youthful elegant best.
With style, elegance and wit, Ms Lewis has created a character we can all sympathise with. True, we all laugh, it's impossible not to, but we laugh with and not at the character.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs taken by the author while following the Tour de France and other major bicycle races in Europe and North America, this book, quite simply is an absolute must for anyone who loves and follows pro-cycling in general and the Tour de France in particular. It will be a wonderful stocking filler come Christmas!