The Secret Race - Tyler Hamilton/Daniel Coyle.

[NicholasTeakozy]

This is a fascinating and well written book giving more than an insight into the mindset of a world class athlete, and the pressures they face to succeed. Before I read this book I knew which side of the fence I stood on performance enhancing drugs: now I can see it's not so clear cut. If your sport exists within a culture of doping and the only way you can make a living is to join in, then you are left with Hobsons Choice.

This is the book which finally forced Lance Armstrong to come clean about drug and blood doping throughout his long illustrious career as a cyclist. There are those who could have stopped him in 1996 when he detailed his drug regimen to the doctors treating his cancer, but instead they kept quiet and it was over 15 years before the rumours were confirmed.

I can't recommend this highly enough. It's well written, honest in a non hand wringing way, and at times funny. Coming from a nobody on the internet I'm sure Messrs Hamilton and Coyle will forward my cheque posthaste.

[HowGoodIsThat]

WHat I found jaw-dropping about this book was the portrait of Armstrong himself. His hubris knows no bounds and the level of his viciousness was astounding. He is a deeply vile individual and this book was the first one to really show him in that light. Even if you don't really care much about cycling or sport, as a example of rampant megalomania and abuse of corporate & personal power, it is spot-on. Worth reading for that alone.

[Pan]

oh good idea NT to post this here. The role as a whistle-blower is a really tricky one and invites ALL sorts of negative reactions, esp from your 'work mates' who previously relied upon the silence.
And as a non-fiction book for non-lycra dudes it casts a light, generally, on the implications of the competitive environment and what people are choosing to do to "win" at all cost.
chapeau to you!