Sunday 15 September 2013

Le Tour- A History of the Tour de France

Geoffrey Wheatcroft journeys through the one hundred editions of the world biggest bike race, to produce a neat and concise history of the Tour de France. 

Starting from pre-tour times at the turn of the 20th century, Wheatcroft analysing the invention of the bicycle and its effect on society not just in France but across the world.




The author proceeds to detail the events that led to the inauguration of the first tour and the importance of Henri Desgrange, the editor of the French paper Auto, who went on to run the race until he took ill in the mid 1930's.

The impact of the Tour on competitive bike racing is thoroughly examined as it transformed the sport from a day event to a gruelling spectacle which lasted weeks.

Wheatcroft makes a point of mentioning each staging of the race, which could have made the book repetitive. However the book is set nicely into the context of events in the wider world. From world wars to political upheaval in France itself, the book truly feels like a history of the last 110 years.

There are also literary aspects to the book, aswell as additional chapters that focus on individual regions of France which the race runs through, notable Brittany and Savoy. The book is therefore clearly designed to appeal to the wider public as well as to cyclists. However the frequent use of the French language without, in most cases, a translation into English does become slightly irritating.
  
The evolution of the tour is the main theme of the book, from Desgrange (below) and his leadership of the race, where stages would often take over 30 hours to complete, to the post world two era where teams became the norm and the various jerseys took their modern form up to the present running of the event where every small detail is analysed in finite detail, a far cry from the cavalier approach of the early tour.



Great rivalries of the Tour are explored from Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali to Greg Le Mond and Bernard Hinault aswell as the great champions from the legendary Eddy Merckx to the understated Miguel Indurain. 

As the book reaches the mid 1990's the book loses its edge. The last three chapters deal with the biggest scandal of the Tour's history- doping. 

Doping is mentioned throughout the book, imparticular when exploring the tragic death of British cyclist Tom Simpson (below) on the ascent on the Mont Ventoux while he was taking performance enhancing drugs. Yet at this stage in the Tour's history doping control were non-existent. 



When the book was first released in 2003 to make the 100th anniversary of the first staging of the Tour, Lance Armstrong was the true legend of the sport. Yet since then it has emerged that it was all a big lie, this leaves the author in a incredibly difficult position.

The latest edition of the book is updated for the 2013 tour and the chapter on Armstrong's (below) seven "victories" is heavily re-edited. The chapter does not flow as those that proceed it do but this can be said for the Tour de France itself.



However in the final chapter Wheatcroft reignites the book, with the triumph of the British. From London hosting the opening stage in 2007 to the victories of Mark Cavendish (below) in the green Jersey and Bradley Wiggins in the famous maillot jaune (yellow jersey), the book finds its joie de vivre back at the last.



Wheatcroft, in this history of the tour, has brilliantly paid homage to each edition of the race without the result being a long and tedious account of the world biggest annually sporting event. For this I say bravo!

Hinman rating 84/100
        
Author- Geoffrey Wheatcroft

Publisher-  Simon & Schuster UK

ISBN- 978141128943

Price- Very cheap, (no more than £7/8)

Availability- fairly wide (major bookshops and websites plus specialist retailers
           

      




Sunday 8 September 2013

The Making of the Greatest Team in the World- Barça

Graham Hunter's book, The Making of the Greatest Team in the World, gives a unique insight into the rise and rise of Barcelona FC .


Detailing the journey from Cruyff's dream team of the early 1990's to the Pep Guardiola side of Messi, Xavi and co, Hunter in this book is able to provide an understanding of the recent history of Barcelona FC which can not be matched, with the use of his extensive connections which he has built in the last 10 years while he has been living in Barcelona,


The book does not follow a chronological pattern, rather the author divides the book into key themes which, combined, have made Barcelona the dominate force in European football in recent years.

Although themes are spilt into their own chapters, and this can be confusing at first, the book constantly links these ideas together to make the book engaging for the reader. At the end of each of these sections, there are short but compelling biographies and match reports in reference to the important personal and landmarks crucial in Barcelona's ascent to the top of the footballing pyramid.

Hunter (below) thoroughly explains the background information needed to appreciate both this book and its subject, concisely with the help of a glossary and a timeline.

Explanations about the progress of La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, is given with rare and comprehensive portraits into its recent stars from Messi and Iniesta to Pique and Xavi. Hunter also does not strictly stick to the pitch, rather, there are touching personal stories about the lives of some of the greatest players of the modern age.

Similarly detailed accounts of other aspects key to the identity of the club are given in the book. Referred to throughout the book is the sense of Barcelona being a great club that has to do things the right way or in other terms "Mes Que Un Club", the club's motto which translates to "More than a Club"

Fundamental to this philosophy is who the club chose to be their manager. Hunter details the procedure which is undertaken when Barcelona hire a coach, from its criteria to the actual pursuit.

Essentially to the book is the political aspect of the club. From its elected president to its fierce rivalry with Real Madrid, Hunter captures the sentiment of this great club and portrays its standing on the global stage. He also scratches deep under the surface into the daily running of the club, giving the reader a fantastic insight into one of the biggest clubs in the world.  

However the main player in this book is Pep Guardiola (below). With several interviews and meetings with the man himself, Hunter is able to accurately portray the true Pep, what makes him tick, what makes him angry and why his work ethnic and tactical brilliance helped the club to a period of unrivalled success in its history.



The current edition  of the book ends when Guardiola leaves the Camp Nou after three seasons at the helm, stating that it has been "one hell of a ride". Whether there are more editions detailing the success or failure of Barcelona, The Making of the Greatest Team in the World is a modern classic and makes in a must for all football fans.

Hinman rating 91/100
       
Author- Graham Hunter

Publisher- BackPage Press

ISBN- 978095647154

Price- Cheap, no more than £10.00

Availability- Wide (most bookshops and websites)