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elapid

elapid

Mar 18, 2009
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fmk_RoI said:
So anyone actually read the two Merckx books yet? Opinions?

Review of the Fotheringham one: http://cyclismas.com/2012/04/review-of-merckx-half-man-half-bike-by-william-fotheringham/
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As far as I know, both have not yet been released in printed form. I ordered both today: Eddy Mercks - The Cannibal will be delivered by 24th May at the earliest (Amazon) and Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike is on pre-order (with no expected delivery date). I think the latter may be available electronically.

I am on a bit of a cycling biography kick at the moment. Recently read Fignon's autobiography (OK), just finishing Anquetil's biography (fascinating both from both cycling and personal perspectives), and plan on reading Coppi's next (Fallen Angel). Lots more on the list: David Millar (Racing Through the Dark), Cadel Evans (Close to Flying), Robbie McEwan (One Way Road), Stephen Roche (The Agony and the Ectasy), Robert Millar (In Search of Robert Millar) and Jean Bobet (Tomorrow, We Ride ...) are all in a pile next to my bed, as well as The Rider, The Lost Cyclist, Team 7-Eleven, Rough Ride, The Belgian Hammer, Uphill Battle - Cycling's Greatest Climbers, The Story of the Tour de France (volumes 1 and 2), and The Story of the Giro d'Italia (volumes 1 and 2), with Slaying the Badger on back order.
 
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Suedehead

Nov 26, 2010
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elapid said:
As far as I know, both have not yet been released in printed form. I ordered both today: Eddy Mercks - The Cannibal will be delivered by 24th May at the earliest (Amazon) and Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike is on pre-order (with no expected delivery date). I think the latter may be available electronically.
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I've read half man, half bike, got it from amazon about 4 weeks ago. It's good but I liked Fignons autobiography better. Maybe its that he won so much that you can't avoid repetition.
 
elapid

elapid

Mar 18, 2009
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fmk_RoI said:
Both v def available in printed form.

You only thought the Fignon book was 'ok'?
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Unfortunately for me, neither of the Merckx biographies are available either through my local bookstore (Chapters in Canada) or online (Chapters or Amazon).

I enjoyed Fignon's autobiography, especially his insights into his battles with LeMond, relationship with the French public, and his personal demons and frustrations, most notably being remembered for coming second to LeMond in the TdF by 8 seconds. However, I found it was not the easiest book to read and I was not enthralled like I have been with other biographies or autobiographies. That's why I rated it as just OK.
 
eljimberino

eljimberino

Dec 14, 2009
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Does anyone read "Rouleur"? How does it compare to "The Ride"?

Have to order online here, wondering if it is worth it.
 
LongSprint

LongSprint

Sep 30, 2009
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Cyclepedia by Michael Embacher

Collection of photos and descriptions of classic and not so classic bikes.
 
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The Gnome

Oct 25, 2010
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"So anyone actually read the two Merckx books yet? Opinions?"

I have finished both and they are both good. The Fotheringham one I found much better tho. Friebe had no access to Merckx...apparently Eddy had signed a contract with someone else (Fotheringham?) to talk to noone else writing a bio for the time being...and Fotheringham is a better writer to me...Friebe tends to hit a purple patch at times and overwrite...

There is some good stuff in the Friebe bio which makes you chuckle tho...Van Looy agrees to do an interview for the first time in 5 years or so and prompty changes his mind while answering the first question and hangs up the phone...

Both are quality books and definitely worth reading...tho I would say get the Fotheringham book if you are only going to read one of them...
 
Stingray34

Stingray34

Feb 16, 2011
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The Falcon said:
No mention of M. Paul Fournel's "Need for the bike" ?
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Hey!~ I really want to read that. Have you? What do you think of it?

I tried to get it on Kindle, but it's only available in paperback. It's great buying books and having them arrive in twenty seconds.

Meanwhile, I highly recommend 'Cycling's Golden Age' by Shelly and Brett Horton. It covers the post-war years from 1946-67 and gives a good overview of the era's greats. It's a coffee-table book with great photos.
 
elapid

elapid

Mar 18, 2009
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OK, so how did people on this thread get their hands on "Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal" by Daniel Friebe?

Amazon (US) have just cancelled my order because they are unable to obtain the book, and Chapters (Canada) do not have the book until the release date on 25th September 2012.

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
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Suedehead

Nov 26, 2010
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elapid said:
OK, so how did people on this thread get their hands on "Eddy Merckx: The Cannibal" by Daniel Friebe?

Amazon (US) have just cancelled my order because they are unable to obtain the book, and Chapters (Canada) do not have the book until the release date on 25th September 2012.

Any help would be much appreciated!
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Amazon uk brought me mine, and they seem to have it still. There is an itunes version if your into reading on an ipad. Haven't started reading mine yet, went for pedalare pedalare by Foot during the giro - I am now entering the dark ages of italian cycling.

@ stingray: the need for a bike is worth a wait, so order the paperback.

@Gnome: Fotheringham didn't have access to Eddy, I think its a Belgian writer who has the exclusive, the story about Eddy picking up at airport is maybe 10 years old and already published long ago in a cycle mag.
 
elapid

elapid

Mar 18, 2009
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Suedehead said:
Amazon uk brought me mine, and they seem to have it still.
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Thanks - just ordered it through Amazon UK. I usually buy fiction books electronically, but prefer biographies and non-fictional books in hardcover. Thanks again.
 
Stingray34

Stingray34

Feb 16, 2011
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Suedehead said:
Amazon uk brought me mine, and they seem to have it still. There is an itunes version if your into reading on an ipad. Haven't started reading mine yet, went for pedalare pedalare by Foot during the giro - I am now entering the dark ages of italian cycling.

@ stingray: the need for a bike is worth a wait, so order the paperback.

@Gnome: Fotheringham didn't have access to Eddy, I think its a Belgian writer who has the exclusive, the story about Eddy picking up at airport is maybe 10 years old and already published long ago in a cycle mag.
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Thanks, that's all the recommendation I need. I'll order it. Maybe the Anquetil one, too.
 
Susan Westemeyer

Susan Westemeyer

Retired Moderator
Mar 5, 2009
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Who can read German? I have the following biographies/autobiographies which I am wiling to give away in exchange for postage:

Fabian Cancellaras Welt

Udo Bölts: Quäl dich, du Sau

Marcel Wüst: Sprinterjahre

Jens Voigt: Man muss kämpfen

Susan

PS: The Anquetil book was very good, both the sporting and the post-career personal aspects.....
 
Glockers

Glockers

May 14, 2009
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The Death of Marco Pantani is a great book. It is sad, but so detailed and well researched.

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oui! Oui! Oui! Australian Cyclists In 100 Years Of Tour De France by Rupert Guiness is a happier and interesting read.
 
fmk_RoI

fmk_RoI

Sep 16, 2010
7,617
1,052
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my username is flish said:
Reading "Riis" at the mo, anyone finished this yet? didn't see a review on podium cafe yet. Only a few pages in so far...
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Is a good read. Obviously problematic, in terms of things said and not said, but a good read. Will be reviewing it on Cyclismas this wk. Someone else supposed to be doing it on PdC. Did a prequel series that's worth rding:

http://cyclismas.com/2012/05/riishomon-a-heros-tale-part-1/
http://cyclismas.com/2012/05/riishomon-a-heros-tale-part-2/
http://cyclismas.com/2012/06/riishomon-a-heros-tale-part-3/
http://cyclismas.com/2012/06/riishomon-a-heros-tale-part-4/

Last part is the one you really want to read.
 
fmk_RoI

fmk_RoI

Sep 16, 2010
7,617
1,052
20,680
The Gnome said:
Friebe had no access to Merckx...apparently Eddy had signed a contract with someone else (Fotheringham?) to talk to noone else writing a bio for the time being.
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Neither had access to Merckx as Fothers admitted in his int on Cyclismas. He relied on two old ints he did, Friebe got to meet Merckx twice while researchng the book, so all told, it's honours even on that one. The book Merckx is contracted to is his own.
 
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