Half Man, Half Bike

The Life of Eddy Merckx, Cycling's Greatest Champion

By William Fotheringham

SPORTS & RECREATION

320 Pages, 5.25 x 8.5

Formats: Trade Paper, PDF, Mobipocket, EPUB

Trade Paper, $19.99 (US $19.99)

Publication Date: April 2013

ISBN 9781613747261

Rights: US

Chicago Review Press (Apr 2013)

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Overview

“A fascinating account of the man and his awe-inspiring career.” —Independent

Leading cycling writer William Fotheringham presents the biography of the greatest cyclist in history, Eddy Merckx—the extraordinary man who is to cycling what Muhammad Ali is to boxing. This definitive history chronicles his life, examining both the ups and the downs. Throughout his professional career Merckx amassed an astonishing 445 victories and exhibited a remorseless sense of domination that created his legend. But his triumphs only tell half of a story that includes horrific injury, a doping controversy, and tragedy. To discover the background of the Belgian cyclist’s former invincibility, the author spoke with those who were there at the time and those who knew Merckx best. This is the singular tale of a man whose fear of failure would drive him to reach the highest pinnacles before ultimately destroying himself.

Reviews

"Stirring." —Graham Robb, author, The Discovery of France and Parisians, in The Guardian

"Incredible reading. . . . A fascinating account." —Bike Radar

“Fotheringham expertly traces Merckx’s career from his early races in Belgium to his successes at the Tour de France, painting a nuanced portrait of a man best described by his wife as ‘driven on by a power that was unique to him.’ The power behind this account is Fotheringham’s skill in bringing Merckx’s races alive on the page.” —Booklist

"The research is meticulous, the recapitulation of Merckx's races sweet reminiscences for those who witnessed them and things of wonder for those who did not. . . . To read about his feats is like reading of the labours of [Hercules]. . . . Marvellous." —The New Statesman

"Superbly timed, researched, and written. . . . Fotheringham has authored more than a few excellent biographies of cycling's greats, but I think it only fair to say that he has excelled himself with this volume. Every now and again along comes a book that is well nigh impossible to put down. . . . Fotheringham's writing has surely reached its own apogee in this truly superb book." —The Washing Machine Post

"Fotheringham, one of the most entertaining of cycling writers, provides interesting historical and political background. . . . This book is yet another quality title from Fotheringham; a fascinating story of, by any measure, the greatest competitive cyclist of them all." —Cyclo

“Extensively researched with insightful views of the man and athlete from fans, mentors, family, and rivals.” —London Cyclist

“A fascinating, often bleak portrait of a remarkable athlete and an unnerving man.” —Sunday Times

Author Biography

William Fotheringham is the cycling correspondent at the Guardian newspaper, covering the Tour de France as well as three Olympic Games. He launched Cycle Sport magazine in 1993 and ProCycling magazine and website in 1998. He is the author of A Century of Cycling, Cycle Racing, Cyclopedia, and Put Me Back on My Bike.

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