It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins

From Barnes & Noble

Multiple Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is a winner in the game of life itself: He has survived cancer, found love, and become a father. In the pages of his memoir, Armstrong tells his own moving and inspiring story, writing in his signature down-to-earth Texas style. This is an amazing tale of recovery in the face of tragedy and victory against overwhelming odds.

From the Publisher

This is the story of Lance Armstrong, the world-famous cyclist, and his fight against cancer.

USA Today

Among cancer survivors, it is known simply as The Book.

Denver Post

Absolutely absorbing.

Buffalo News

Stirring.

St. Petersburg Times

Gripping.

KLIATT

Lance Armstrong presents a poignant, direct view of competition, determination, and satisfaction (both personal and professional) in this autobiographical sketch of bike racing and cancer survival. Armstrong's cocky, often tongue-in-cheek writing style mirrors his success as one of the world's best Grand Prix cyclists. He speaks candidly about his recovery from testicular cancer (which had migrated into his lymph glands and abdomen). He gives credit to his family (including his mother, wife, and newborn son) as well as his inner strength as an athlete for his recovery and continued vitality. It's Not About the Bike would be an effective addition to any contemporary literature course or in a health class context (i.e., good medical descriptions). Also, life skills classes could benefit from the motivational messages Armstrong presents throughout the book. Category: Biography & Personal Narrative. KLIATT Codes: JSA—Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Berkley, 289p. illus., Ages 13 to adult. Reviewer: Tom Adamich; Tech. Serv., Stetson Univ., College of Law, S. Pas

Library Journal

Armstrong is a champion American cyclist who was stricken with cancer in his twenties and given little chance to live. However, he not only survived but won the rigorous Tour de France two years later. As the title indicates, this book is much less about Armstrong's triumphs on two wheels than about his successful struggle with cancer and its aftermath. Armstrong sees cancer as a part of life that is meant to improve us by making us focus on our difficulties with courage and indominability of spirit. His writing style is vibrant and immediate whether he is detailing events from childhood, racing challenges, the demands of cancer treatment, the in vitro fertilization process, or the joy of becoming a father. This should appeal to more than just cycling fans. Highly recommended.--John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

School Library Journal

Adult/High School-When Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer, the prognosis was not encouraging. When it spread to his lungs and brain, most medical professionals gave up hope for his recovery. But not Lance. He studied his disease, interviewed doctors, chose a treatment, and fought for his life. This isn't a book for the squeamish as it spares few medical details but it isn't just about cancer. It's the story of the athlete as a young boy and his relationship with his single mother, his success as a world-class cyclist and his friends in that world, and his financial backers who supported him emotionally as well as monetarily. It records his winning the Tour de France, courting his future wife, and the birth of his son. This fabulous tribute to the strength of the human spirit is an inspiration to everyone.-Katherine Fitch, Rachel Carson Middle School, Fairfax, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Interviews & Essays

Table of Contents

Interviews & Essays

I don't have any more bad days. I have good days and I have great days. Cancer no longer consumes my life, my thoughts, or my behavior. If I have a tough week, all I have to do is sit back and reflect on what I went through, and look at my son, and things don't bother me anymore. I'm not only alive, but I'm responsible for another life, the life of my child. When you almost lose your life to cancer, and then win the Tour de France, and then become a father, it grows you up fast. I'm more thoughtful, and I resist saying the first thing that comes out of my mouth. Before, all of my questions were directed toward the "me," as in "Why me?" or, "What are my chances?" But now I've started looking at other people.

The biggest thing cancer did for me was knock down a wall. Before cancer, I cared about the way I looked, and I worried about what people thought of me. Every morning I made sure my hair was just right. After cancer, I cut my hair, and I cared a lot less if people liked me. My wife likes me and my son will like me, and that's good enough for me.

Silly things don't make me nervous like they used to. For instance, I used to hate speaking in public, but I don't stress any more. I worry about the more important things, like being a good father. Having a child boils everything down, in much the same way my illness did. Becoming a father forced me to think daily about who I am, what sort of father I would like to be. My son, Luke, is a little over a half a year old, but I can already see that he watches everything I do.

Something else that's changed is the way I ride my bike. I ride for fun now. It used to be a job. My chief ambition is still to win bike races, but since the illness I've become more interested in the process and less interested in the end result. Now I just enjoy the ride.

For instance, I love maps. I'm a map guy. I collect maps that show me every back road in the county, so that I can ride around and trace all the narrow lanes, and never to go over the same piece of road twice. I like small quiet roads rolling into nowhere.

I'm enjoying my life and learning a little bit more about myself each day. When you're young, you feel immortal. But I don't want to live forever; I need to die when I'm done living. (Lance Armstrong)