It's Not About the Bike by Sally Jenkins and Lance Armstrong (2000, Hardcover)

For avid touring and racing bicycle enthusiasts, this is a must read. It would be good for those winter months when it's easier to spend time with a good book. Most everybody knows who Lance Armstrong is, but few would know the story of his life, the details of his battle with cancer, his recovery, and his run to winning the Tour de France...7 times. It was a very interesting read; Sally Jenkins did a great job!

I just thoroughly enjoyed it. It was hard to put down!

The book is well written, and flows in a novel- book manner. The story of Lance Arrmstrong is well known, but this book, gives us the details behind the comeback. And that Lance Armstrongs' recovery was not by his true will alone, but by also the love and guidance of a strong-willed mother and devoted friends. It reinforces the need for second opinions in urgent and specialized medical medicine and procedures. It shows the reader the effects of cancer and chemotherapy on the person. It also reminds the reader the fragility of life, that anyone, at anytime, no matter how healthy or how fit one may be, a sudden life ending event can occur. My mother is a cancer survivor, and so is my brother. And because of their current state of good health, I sometimes forget that they had cancer, that they had surgery and radiation. That they had many times thought of not being cured, of dying. My family is truly blessed that they are here today and my mom was really happy that we had a family portrait taken this Christmas year. To those who ride bicycles, who knows what cancer is, who knows someone who has or had cancer, the story of Lance Armstrong is uplifting. But for those who has or had cancer, Lance Armstrong is an inspiration. I urge everyone to read this book, donate to his charity, but most of all LIVESTRONG.

Being an avid cyclist I read this book right after it first came out and gained a lot of respect for Lance Armstrong and the battle he fought against cancer.
His story is exceptional and defines what a winner is made of.
After finding out that my mother has lung cancer and has just began her fight for her life I thought it would be good for my 16 year old daughter to read this story and maybe come away with a better understanding of the disease and the fight that's needed to conquer it.
Having given away my original book to who knows who? I purchased another one on e-bay and asked my daughter to read it. She reluctantly agreed. After all why would a 16 year old girl want to read about a bicyclist who had cancer? Well she picked up the book and finished it two days. She loved it and was truly impressed with the way Lance explained his cancer and the treatment of it in layman’s terms so even she could understand it. She was impressed.
I would suggest this book to anyone who needs a better understanding of the struggled needed to defeat cancer and lead a successful life after the battle.
Or to anyone who needs a great inspirational book.
Now I can give it my mom to help her in her battle!!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.....God Bless

Very easy reading, I didn't even know that much about bike racing,but the book explained Lance's relationship with the bike. It gave beautiful descriptions of Europe and the people in other countries. And a interesting review of Lance's life from childhood through parenting. Including his battle with cancer.

A couple of years ago my brother in law was seriously ill. Not because of cancer but from Crohn's disease. He was given this book by a friend, to read and inspire him on his journey back to health. On one of my many visits to him, I started to read the book,and could not put it down.
My mother died of cancer, but I still consider her a "cancer survivor" for she lived 32 years after her initial diagnosis. A credit to her doctors, her strong will, positive thinking, and family support.
Now, I a good friend of mine has been diagnosed with lung cancer in both of her lungs. I can not think of a better book for her to read and help her "fight the fight" and most of give her HOPE!
Incidently, my brother in law is doing super!