Dancing on the Pedals: The Found Poetry of Phil Liggett, The Voice of Cycling (Paperback)

~ Phil Liggett (Author), Doug Donaldson (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Dancing on the Pedals" is a lighthearted, ironic arrangement into verse form of Phil Liggett’s enthusiastic, creative narrations of the Tour de France. Anyone who has ever watched the Tour on TV or video knows Phil and his legendary flights of rhetorical brilliance. Bicycling Magazine writes, "His voice defines the sport, the way Howard Cossell’s did for boxing and football."

Astonishingly vivid, poetic, and intelligent, Phil Liggett’s narrations lend themselves perfectly to this found-poetry approach. And Doug Donaldson has deftly arranged the gems for our delight. An unforgettable tribute to the greatest cycling announcer who ever lived, and a dazzling celebration of the world of cycling.

About the Author

Doug Donaldson, a former maintenance, skills, and nutrition editor for Bicycling Magazine, is also the author of "Bicycling Magazine’s Guide to Bike Touring" and a freelance writer for publications including "Better Homes and Gardens" and "Men’s Health." Donaldson lives in eastern Pennsylvania and always hears Phil’s voice on the longest, hardest climbs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Breakaway Books (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891369555
• ISBN-13: 978-1891369551
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #317,693 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very nice dance indeed, June 27, 2005

By	steve frank (indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This book, a tribute to the dean of Tour de France broadcasters, Phil Liggett, is a genuine find. Donaldson has taken 30 years' worth of Liggett's Tour de France calls and recast them into more than 200 poems of varying lengths. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Liggett himself has a natural gift for rhythm and metaphor, as well as a wide-angle style of commentary that has always made TDF seem so much larger than a mere athletic event. In Liggett's world, and thus Donaldson's poems, cyclists become kings and jokers, conquerors and the conquered, and/or any number of other stages in between. The book's title, by the way, comes from a classic Liggett moment: Watching a cyclist climb a peak during the 1989 event, the broadcaster observed, "He's dancing on the pedals in a most immodest way."

Some of the poems pack a surprising punch in a very few lines, all the more so for anyone who has ever climbed on a bicycle seat for any event requiring endurance. In this category is one titled "Contender": "He is settling in./He is recovering./And he will kick in." Or there's this one, "Inferno," which reminded me of the John Berryman poetry I read in college: "There's our friend/the devil/who's joined us/the past few days." Among the longer poems, I particularly liked "World of Hurt," one of a number of tributes to Greg LeMond. Donaldson also uses typography and phrasing to amplify the meaning and impact of the individual poems. (Check out "Come to Paris." It'll make you smile.) Finally, embedded between the lines of the poems is a succinct history of TDF, sure to evoke nostalgic feelings in any true fan.

Overall, for anyone who's into cycling, sportscasting genius, or poetry itself, Dancing is a very nice read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phil Liggett Live, January 3, 2007

By	E. W. Wilkes (NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great bedside version of Phil at the Tour. You can hear his voice as you read his "poetry"! Great gift for the Phil/Tour de France fans of the world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You can hear this in your head., October 30, 2008

By	Charlie Brown - See all my reviews

As a long time TDF and Phil Liggett fan, I was excited about this book and it didn't disappoint. I'm sure I have heard much of this "live" while watching the tour. And while reading every word, I was listening to Phil in my head. Loved it!