On a technical level, this book is an amateurish read despite the presence of a co-author.

In terms of content, I was embarassed for Lance most of the time. He knows just enough to understand that a story like his SHOULD be inspirational, but by recounting (even relishing in) petty achievements like owning an expensive car, driving it fast, and talking down to most of the people he encounters, gives away the fact that as a human being, he’s less than the sum of his accomplishments (which are limited to riding a bicycle).

I have a thousand times more respect for the majority of cancer victims who fight quietly and win or lose, manage to maintain their dignity in the end.
Rating: 1 / 5

Lance Armstrong’s book tells us of his inspiring journey back to life. He tells us of his strength of character and determination to live in a somewhat conceited way. His fight is definitely admirable. However, modesty is not the only thing missing in the book. Being a cancer patient and Tour de France winner is not an excuse for shoddy writing. I’m only seventeen and I found one grammar mistake after another throughout the book. “Criterium” is not a word that an English dictionary recognizes. Perhaps it is a cycling term that Armstrong did not find necessary to clarify for those of us who are not familiar with the lingo. Perhaps he meant “criterion.” However, either way, by not explaining it to us Armstrong indirectly meant his book to be read by ardent fans of cycling. Surely this isn’t the best marketing ploy to use?

Don’t get me wrong, I think Armstrong is a truly great man who has seen too many hardships in his life, even if he does come across as someone who’s head is so inflated that his treasured maillot jaune wouldn’t be able to get over his head. I understand that his childhood was turbulent and he had to prove himself over and over again to the world. I admire his mother because I know that if I were in his situation, my mother would stand by me the same way. It couldn’t have been easy for her to raise him as a single mother in the midst of Southern-belle-manners. His story truly is “the stuff of legends,” as Independent eloquently puts it. I completely empathize with him. However, he isn’t the only person in the world to have gone through cancer and come out triumphant. Armstrong comes across as someone who looks at himself as God. Even his pseudo-modest moments come across as forced. As an objective critic who is analyzing the writing, and not the story, I have to say that I’ve seen much better. His editor overlooked some major errors.

What also struck me was Lance’s garbage about his wife. Had I not known about his divorce, I would have believed him to be a completely devoted husband and father. He gushes about Kristin and how she “is a stud” over and over in the book. Where did Sheryl come in, then? This bit of knowledge makes the book seem even more fake. It makes me wonder, were any of the sentiments he expressed true? Did he just make them up to seem like a victim who mustered the strength to ressurect himself from cancer? His battle is inspiring. But are all his sentiments true? Even if they aren’t, the fictitious sentiments, at least, are inspiring.

I remember my first thought when I finished the book. “You disgust me.” And that still stands.
Rating: 2 / 5