In paperback from Amazon.com - $10.20
Buy it if: You love seeking out random information for which you have no context…and don’t understand how the f*#& they can charge $140 for three ounces of smelly liquid?!
Don’t Buy it if: You think perfume should be sold by the liter and cost about $5.95 a bottle…
Whilst walking through Manhattan this week I happened to pass by the Hermes boutique and was suddenly struck by this thought – I wonder if they still have ‘Un Jardin sur le Nil’? This is significant because until I finished Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent, I would have never have given such a shop a second glance. And I guarantee you that the words ‘Un Jardin’ wouldn’t be floating through my brain. Yet now I can’t help but notice the horse-motif near the entrance, a nod to the company’s beginnings as a saddle maker, while wondering if Jean-Claude is still crafting their marquis perfume.
This, to me, is proof of great writing. Burr, The New York Times’ resident perfume writer, (I know, who even knew such a position existed?!) managed to grab my attention and hold it rapt with tales of French perfume, the politics of Parisian design houses and – I wouldn’t have believed it myself – Sarah Jessica Parker. Like a great book on wine, food or travel, you’ll spend good portions of your time reading wishing you could experience all that the author is describing…the mark of truly engaging words. (In a thoughtfully synergistic marketing move that benefits the reader who confronts this desire, the paperback version of the book does come with a bookmark containing a sample of Sarah Jessica’s fragrance, Lovely.)
Overtly, the book follows twinned storylines: One follows along as Mrs. Parker attempts to design her own scent and bring it to market, eventually creating one of the most successful celebrity perfumes yet seen. The other is the old world journey of the aforementioned Un Jardin sur le Nil, a scent created by Jean-Claude Ellena, a renowned perfumier who’s been retained by Hermes as they attempt to stamp their mark on the startlingly cutthroat designer perfume business. And you thought it was all just putting nice-smelling stuff into a bottle?
Burr uses these two specific narratives to lay out an elegant tale of the entire industry. While I have to assume the business described is not unknown to some, I would be willing to bet the average reader – like myself – will find the journey of these combined molecules from inspiration to laboratory, from design to market, utterly fascinating. Perfumery is a true art that is delivered by science, and the process is simply astounding. The author provides excellent descriptions of precisely the right depth and length, enough to involve the reader and evoke curiosity, but not stall the book’s forward motion. The silver lining for those of you who eschew the knockoff perfumes and colognes in Target is the inclusion of the astronomical prices of some of the building scents used to create these olfactory elixirs. It’s oddly reassuring to know that the people tasked with building these scents can tell you not only that they prefer jasmine that comes from Grasse instead of India, but also why. And how the difference in price may be justified. You may still not feel that tiny bottle with the Dior label on it is worth $300, but at least you’ll know that number is not simply a company trading on its name for the highest possible margins.
The Perfect Scent succeeded – for me – as a piece of writing by taking a subject for which I have no context or familiarity and igniting an interest that grew steadily over the course of my reading. Chandler Burr gives you just enough information to be dangerous at cocktail parties, but also keeps your intellect involved to the point that you will continue to look down long, elegant perfume counters with a new respect sense of intrigue as you consider the long journey these liquids have taken. Dare I say it? Ok, fine, this one smells like a winner.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Lance Armstrong's War - Daniel Coyle
Amazon.com - $10.19
Super Nerdy Distinction Award: Gilbert Lowell
Buy it if: You want the whole Lance picture, good, bad and ugly. And you have an open mind.
Don't buy it if: You're ready to nominate Armstrong for sainthood or simply feel like ignorance is bliss when it comes to the darker side of pro cycling.
You think it’s easy to win the Tour de France? It ain’t easy. Seven times in a row? This not the accomplishment of a regular person. And no one would ever label Lance Armstrong regular. But it’s not enough to enjoy the platitudes of It’s Not About the Bike or give in the doping skepticism of From Lance to Landis. No amount of EPO or testosterone is going to create an athlete like Lance Armstrong. And all the money in the world can’t put just anyone in the yellow jersey. There’s just no single determining factor that guarantees those kinds of results. But there’s certainly a set of circumstance. Good, bad and sometimes very ugly, Daniel Coyle pulls back nearly all of the curtains in Lance Armstrong’s War to deliver what is easily one of the most compelling sports narratives of all time. If you’re not firing up Amazon.com at the conclusion of this review to place it on order, you’re missing out.
How Daniel Coyle managed to get the access to Lance, his team, his family and even his enemies is never revealed, but Lance Armstrong’s War gives an unprecedented look at into a man who simultaneously plays the roles of cancer hero, social statesman and ruthless – make that cutthroat – competitor. From childhood prodigy to modern slayer the truth surrounding the man is in here, and it’s often dark around the edges.
While the book’s ‘present’ is roughly the same timeline as 23 Days in July, encapsulating Lance’s 6th Tour de France victory and the run up to it, Coyle also makes frequent trips to the past, with special attention paid to the boyhood Lance, who would routinely rebel against authority, with the author citing ‘You’re not my Dad!’ as one of his familiar refrains. Equally fascinating is the book's inclusion of stories that might seem familiar to those with some ‘Lance experience.’ The drug allegations, cancer and corporate income are hardly news, but somehow this writer manages to get those closest to Armstrong to talk rather forthrightly. As far as I can tell, no other work can touch this one in terms of depth or new perspectives. Or ability to get teammates like Joathan Vaughters and Floyd Landis to speak so plainly about the patron of the peloton.
These new perspectives stand in starkest relief with regard to Dr. Michele Ferrari, Lance’s exceptionally (even for him) controversial former trainer. What? Never heard of him? That’s by design. But Coyle clearly demonstrates the massive role the Italian adviser played in Lance’s cycling career. The question constantly assumed but never broached: How has someone so important to such a famous athlete gone so relatively unnoticed for so long? Coyle doesn’t intend to answer the question, but it’s the asking that’s important.
Other notable highlights from the book include the Armstrong camp’s ‘media blacklist,’ which keeps track of those who would write disparaging articles (and books!) Quotes from former and current team members also lend dimension to a man who is remarkably in control of his own image. And for the uber-cycling nerds out there, terrific insight into the technical innovations pursued by the gear gurus Armstrong employs. The story of the $250,000 ‘narrow bike’ is a superb example of modern athletic innovation.
Whether you love him, hate him or are completely indifferent to his comings and goings, Lance Armstrong’s War is a brutally honest, impressively deep and surprisingly humorous look at a man who is sure to remain a sporting enigma for years to come. I can honestly say I’ve never read a sports biography that even approaches the level that Coyle has achieved. Order it now. I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting July in France…
Super Nerdy Distinction Award: Gilbert Lowell
Buy it if: You want the whole Lance picture, good, bad and ugly. And you have an open mind.
Don't buy it if: You're ready to nominate Armstrong for sainthood or simply feel like ignorance is bliss when it comes to the darker side of pro cycling.
You think it’s easy to win the Tour de France? It ain’t easy. Seven times in a row? This not the accomplishment of a regular person. And no one would ever label Lance Armstrong regular. But it’s not enough to enjoy the platitudes of It’s Not About the Bike or give in the doping skepticism of From Lance to Landis. No amount of EPO or testosterone is going to create an athlete like Lance Armstrong. And all the money in the world can’t put just anyone in the yellow jersey. There’s just no single determining factor that guarantees those kinds of results. But there’s certainly a set of circumstance. Good, bad and sometimes very ugly, Daniel Coyle pulls back nearly all of the curtains in Lance Armstrong’s War to deliver what is easily one of the most compelling sports narratives of all time. If you’re not firing up Amazon.com at the conclusion of this review to place it on order, you’re missing out.
How Daniel Coyle managed to get the access to Lance, his team, his family and even his enemies is never revealed, but Lance Armstrong’s War gives an unprecedented look at into a man who simultaneously plays the roles of cancer hero, social statesman and ruthless – make that cutthroat – competitor. From childhood prodigy to modern slayer the truth surrounding the man is in here, and it’s often dark around the edges.
While the book’s ‘present’ is roughly the same timeline as 23 Days in July, encapsulating Lance’s 6th Tour de France victory and the run up to it, Coyle also makes frequent trips to the past, with special attention paid to the boyhood Lance, who would routinely rebel against authority, with the author citing ‘You’re not my Dad!’ as one of his familiar refrains. Equally fascinating is the book's inclusion of stories that might seem familiar to those with some ‘Lance experience.’ The drug allegations, cancer and corporate income are hardly news, but somehow this writer manages to get those closest to Armstrong to talk rather forthrightly. As far as I can tell, no other work can touch this one in terms of depth or new perspectives. Or ability to get teammates like Joathan Vaughters and Floyd Landis to speak so plainly about the patron of the peloton.
These new perspectives stand in starkest relief with regard to Dr. Michele Ferrari, Lance’s exceptionally (even for him) controversial former trainer. What? Never heard of him? That’s by design. But Coyle clearly demonstrates the massive role the Italian adviser played in Lance’s cycling career. The question constantly assumed but never broached: How has someone so important to such a famous athlete gone so relatively unnoticed for so long? Coyle doesn’t intend to answer the question, but it’s the asking that’s important.
Other notable highlights from the book include the Armstrong camp’s ‘media blacklist,’ which keeps track of those who would write disparaging articles (and books!) Quotes from former and current team members also lend dimension to a man who is remarkably in control of his own image. And for the uber-cycling nerds out there, terrific insight into the technical innovations pursued by the gear gurus Armstrong employs. The story of the $250,000 ‘narrow bike’ is a superb example of modern athletic innovation.
Whether you love him, hate him or are completely indifferent to his comings and goings, Lance Armstrong’s War is a brutally honest, impressively deep and surprisingly humorous look at a man who is sure to remain a sporting enigma for years to come. I can honestly say I’ve never read a sports biography that even approaches the level that Coyle has achieved. Order it now. I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting July in France…
Monday, June 1, 2009
23 Days in July – John Wilcockson
Non-Fiction
$13.16 from Amazon.com
Buy it if: You want to understand what makes le Tour de France such a big deal. And how can a 2,100-mile bike race be won by only 8 seconds?
Don’t buy it if: You: ‘Big deal, they ride around France in Lycra for a few weeks... I want to see Manny Ramirez bang out some homers!’
How do you race a bicycle for 21 days and win by only a few minutes? What’s up with the funny looking bikes and phallic helmets? Where do the riders sleep? What’s the difference between the green, yellow, white and polka dot jerseys?
These are all questions that anyone new to the Tour de France probably has. Despite being the most watched sporting event in the world (It’s true. The only thing that even comes close is World Cup soccer, and that only happens every four years.) the inner workings, details, traditions and rules of the race are still largely mysterious to most Americans. Even with Lance Armstrong’s domination and cycling’s recent surge in popularity, the pro peloton (This means the racing pack. Much of cycling is still described in its ‘native’ French.) remains shrouded in mystery for many sports fans.
23 Days in July is the perfect accompaniment to le Tour. It’s framed around Lance Armstrong’s record-setting (and arguably most dominant) sixth win in 2004, but also includes other notable characters in the 23 day drama. Olympian Tyler Hamilton (and caught doper), former winner (and caught doper) Jan Ullrich and even Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite-turned-pro cyclist (and alleged doper!) Floyd Landis are among the other pieces in this nearly month long athletic chess match, and the author places each into the context of the race perfectly, allowing the readers to understand the dynamics of stage racing and the tactics that go into winning a race like this. For anyone who ever wondered why you would actually want to give away the leadership of the race or what EPO actually does, 23 Days in July has your answer!
Wilcockson – who’s been a cyclo-journalist for over 40 years – is well-suited to providing insight into the personalities and situations that form the context for this book. Cycling is, if nothing else, exceptionally traditional. The author’s ability to deftly demonstrate how past situations have helped shape modern races is impressive and his pedigree gives the writing real depth and helps set the stage for the overt story of the 2004 Tour.
The book itself is also laid out fantastically. Every day of the race is given its own chapter, concluding with the ‘current’ standings of race leaders and favorites. This is a great help to the new reader and places the individual stages into the context of the whole tour and allows those who’ve never seen a single stage to still feel the excitement and drama inherent to cycling’s biggest race. An appendix with frequently asked questions and a glossary of cycling terms is also a nice touch…
$13.16 from Amazon.com
Buy it if: You want to understand what makes le Tour de France such a big deal. And how can a 2,100-mile bike race be won by only 8 seconds?
Don’t buy it if: You: ‘Big deal, they ride around France in Lycra for a few weeks... I want to see Manny Ramirez bang out some homers!’
How do you race a bicycle for 21 days and win by only a few minutes? What’s up with the funny looking bikes and phallic helmets? Where do the riders sleep? What’s the difference between the green, yellow, white and polka dot jerseys?
These are all questions that anyone new to the Tour de France probably has. Despite being the most watched sporting event in the world (It’s true. The only thing that even comes close is World Cup soccer, and that only happens every four years.) the inner workings, details, traditions and rules of the race are still largely mysterious to most Americans. Even with Lance Armstrong’s domination and cycling’s recent surge in popularity, the pro peloton (This means the racing pack. Much of cycling is still described in its ‘native’ French.) remains shrouded in mystery for many sports fans.
23 Days in July is the perfect accompaniment to le Tour. It’s framed around Lance Armstrong’s record-setting (and arguably most dominant) sixth win in 2004, but also includes other notable characters in the 23 day drama. Olympian Tyler Hamilton (and caught doper), former winner (and caught doper) Jan Ullrich and even Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite-turned-pro cyclist (and alleged doper!) Floyd Landis are among the other pieces in this nearly month long athletic chess match, and the author places each into the context of the race perfectly, allowing the readers to understand the dynamics of stage racing and the tactics that go into winning a race like this. For anyone who ever wondered why you would actually want to give away the leadership of the race or what EPO actually does, 23 Days in July has your answer!
Wilcockson – who’s been a cyclo-journalist for over 40 years – is well-suited to providing insight into the personalities and situations that form the context for this book. Cycling is, if nothing else, exceptionally traditional. The author’s ability to deftly demonstrate how past situations have helped shape modern races is impressive and his pedigree gives the writing real depth and helps set the stage for the overt story of the 2004 Tour.
The book itself is also laid out fantastically. Every day of the race is given its own chapter, concluding with the ‘current’ standings of race leaders and favorites. This is a great help to the new reader and places the individual stages into the context of the whole tour and allows those who’ve never seen a single stage to still feel the excitement and drama inherent to cycling’s biggest race. An appendix with frequently asked questions and a glossary of cycling terms is also a nice touch…
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Hour – Michael Hutchinson
New and Used Section of Amazon.com - $7.19
Buy it if: You can easily explain why you prefer Shimano or Campagnolo and know the difference between tubulars and clinchers…
Don’t Buy it if: Your thoughts: “Enough is enough, it’s a guy riding around in a circle, who cares how far he goes, he’s still in the same place…”
You have one hour, ride as far as you can. That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? And that’s precisely the paradox that is cycling’s hour record. What sounds simple rarely is…not to mention it’s not exactly easy to ride at over 55 kph for 60 minutes.
The Hour by Michael Hutchinson purports to be the story of a relatively unknown journeyman cyclist – the author himself – and his quest to set a new standard for one of the most significant records in the sport. And if it were only that, it would probably still be interesting.
You see, the Hour isn’t just one of many records. While there are other track cycling records – many in fact – they are all based on covering a distance in less time. This one is unique for being based on the inversion of the standard. Everyone must suffer for the same duration. And those who have moved that distance ever farther comprise a who’s who of cycling: Anquetil, Indurain, Boardman, Moser and, of course, Merckx.
Though Hutchinson largely focuses on himself (and the attendant difficulties that come along with trying to break cycling’s purest record – booking track time, building a legal bike, finding the fastest tires) it’s his constant references to past record holders and attempts that really make for compelling reading. This history covers the time since the hour’s inception by the Tour de France’s creator Henri Desgrange up to the Chris Boardman/Graeme Obree period, which saw the record fall to one rider on a million dollar superbike and to another on a homemade amalgamation with washing machine bearings at it’s heart. The author’s own efforts and difficulties in trying to meet the rules of the UCI (cycling’s governing body), find the fastest, most appropriate equipment (aerodynamic helmets and wheels are disallowed), and maintaining the physical training required to sustain a speed of 34 MPH for 60 minutes are given context when compared with past efforts.
If anything, the book stumbles slightly in that it almost makes the record seem approachable. Hutchinson can’t be completely blamed for this, after all, the record is not as far from his grasp as it would be for the average person. Fully explaining the sheer physical difficulty of a ride like this could border on arrogance if not couched properly, but for any readers who are familiar with the list of previous Hour record holders the enormity of the effort will be readily apparent.
Overall this book succeeds in both its own story and as a history of the Hour record itself. The pacing is good and Hutchinson does a superb job of tying the past in with his own memoir. Well worth a read even for those who don’t know the difference between an English and Italian bottom bracket…
Buy it if: You can easily explain why you prefer Shimano or Campagnolo and know the difference between tubulars and clinchers…
Don’t Buy it if: Your thoughts: “Enough is enough, it’s a guy riding around in a circle, who cares how far he goes, he’s still in the same place…”
You have one hour, ride as far as you can. That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? And that’s precisely the paradox that is cycling’s hour record. What sounds simple rarely is…not to mention it’s not exactly easy to ride at over 55 kph for 60 minutes.
The Hour by Michael Hutchinson purports to be the story of a relatively unknown journeyman cyclist – the author himself – and his quest to set a new standard for one of the most significant records in the sport. And if it were only that, it would probably still be interesting.
You see, the Hour isn’t just one of many records. While there are other track cycling records – many in fact – they are all based on covering a distance in less time. This one is unique for being based on the inversion of the standard. Everyone must suffer for the same duration. And those who have moved that distance ever farther comprise a who’s who of cycling: Anquetil, Indurain, Boardman, Moser and, of course, Merckx.
Though Hutchinson largely focuses on himself (and the attendant difficulties that come along with trying to break cycling’s purest record – booking track time, building a legal bike, finding the fastest tires) it’s his constant references to past record holders and attempts that really make for compelling reading. This history covers the time since the hour’s inception by the Tour de France’s creator Henri Desgrange up to the Chris Boardman/Graeme Obree period, which saw the record fall to one rider on a million dollar superbike and to another on a homemade amalgamation with washing machine bearings at it’s heart. The author’s own efforts and difficulties in trying to meet the rules of the UCI (cycling’s governing body), find the fastest, most appropriate equipment (aerodynamic helmets and wheels are disallowed), and maintaining the physical training required to sustain a speed of 34 MPH for 60 minutes are given context when compared with past efforts.
If anything, the book stumbles slightly in that it almost makes the record seem approachable. Hutchinson can’t be completely blamed for this, after all, the record is not as far from his grasp as it would be for the average person. Fully explaining the sheer physical difficulty of a ride like this could border on arrogance if not couched properly, but for any readers who are familiar with the list of previous Hour record holders the enormity of the effort will be readily apparent.
Overall this book succeeds in both its own story and as a history of the Hour record itself. The pacing is good and Hutchinson does a superb job of tying the past in with his own memoir. Well worth a read even for those who don’t know the difference between an English and Italian bottom bracket…
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Greg Lemond’s Complete Book of Bicycling – Greg Lemond and Kent Gords
Non-Fiction
Out of print, but usually available used from Amazon or in the library
Buy it if: You’re looking for solid and comprehensive guide to nearly all aspects of cycling, competitive and otherwise
Don’t Buy it if: You’ve already got shelves full of cycling books and know your seat height, hip angle and stem length by heart.
With July looming it’s getting near that time again: ‘Tour' time, the period during the summer when cycling companies traditionally unveil their latest and greatest technical achievements, just in time to place on the cycling world’s biggest stage: Le Tour de France. Trek’s sexy new bikes, 3T’s faster handlebars, Shimano’s latest brakes…they all crop up with promises of lighter weight, lower drag and more artistic lines. The arms race that is professional cycling gear never stops. And, just like computers, the second you buy that new carbon/ceramic/unobtanium piece for your steed a better version comes out. It’s a never-ending quest to simply not get left behind…
Which is why Greg Lemond’s Complete Book of Bicycling is so cool. Having been penned in 1987 (hot on the heels of Greg’s becoming the first American to win Le Tour) it should be dated to the point of obsolescence. But it’s not. Actually, most of the information contained within is both amazingly relevant and useful even now, in 2009. And really, it should be. After all, how much has the bicycle really changed in 20 years? True, carbon fiber long ago replaced steel. And shifters migrated off the down tube in the early 90’s. But pedals, wheels and gears…well, they’re pretty much exactly the same. And, for the most part, so are the people doing the riding.
Lemond’s book is still relevant today for the same reason you can reuse an algebra textbook. The fundamentals are still there, and in Greg’s case, his grasp on these concepts is exceptionally solid. Every chapter is well thought out, thoroughly explained and – most importantly – exceedingly applicable.
After the obligatory (he was perhaps the most famous cyclist in the world when this book came out) mini-biography and a brief synopsis about the ‘World of Cycling,’ - which usefully covers commuting, touring, along with road and track racing - he dives right in to topics that are still at the forefront of modern cycling. There’s a chapter on picking your bicycle, one on getting it properly fit. There are sections on cycling technique and training regimens. There's even a decently thorough chapter on bicycle maintenance. While the Complete Book of Bicycling might not explore the minutia of maintenance like Leonard Zinn’s handbook or delve into training details like something by Chris Carmichael, if you could only buy one book on cycling, it would have to be this one.
Of course, there are some parts you’re just going to have to overlook. The descriptions of cycling shoes and Kevlar/aluminum bikes will seem laughable these days. As will the idea that you can get a race-ready bike brand new for $350. But Lemond’s words about seat heights, body position and training periodization ring as true now as ever, and you'd be hard pressed to find more coherent and complete descriptions in any cycling book anywhere.
So, if you’re a bleeding-edge-of-technology drooler or don’t even count a ride unless it’s been measured and calibrated with a powermeter and heart rate monitor, this one might not be for you. But if you’re looking for good solid advice that took the author to three Tour victories (and probably inspired more than a few of the pros that followed in his footsteps) this book – like the cyclist that wrote it - is virtually impossible to beat.
Out of print, but usually available used from Amazon or in the library
Buy it if: You’re looking for solid and comprehensive guide to nearly all aspects of cycling, competitive and otherwise
Don’t Buy it if: You’ve already got shelves full of cycling books and know your seat height, hip angle and stem length by heart.
With July looming it’s getting near that time again: ‘Tour' time, the period during the summer when cycling companies traditionally unveil their latest and greatest technical achievements, just in time to place on the cycling world’s biggest stage: Le Tour de France. Trek’s sexy new bikes, 3T’s faster handlebars, Shimano’s latest brakes…they all crop up with promises of lighter weight, lower drag and more artistic lines. The arms race that is professional cycling gear never stops. And, just like computers, the second you buy that new carbon/ceramic/unobtanium piece for your steed a better version comes out. It’s a never-ending quest to simply not get left behind…
Which is why Greg Lemond’s Complete Book of Bicycling is so cool. Having been penned in 1987 (hot on the heels of Greg’s becoming the first American to win Le Tour) it should be dated to the point of obsolescence. But it’s not. Actually, most of the information contained within is both amazingly relevant and useful even now, in 2009. And really, it should be. After all, how much has the bicycle really changed in 20 years? True, carbon fiber long ago replaced steel. And shifters migrated off the down tube in the early 90’s. But pedals, wheels and gears…well, they’re pretty much exactly the same. And, for the most part, so are the people doing the riding.
Lemond’s book is still relevant today for the same reason you can reuse an algebra textbook. The fundamentals are still there, and in Greg’s case, his grasp on these concepts is exceptionally solid. Every chapter is well thought out, thoroughly explained and – most importantly – exceedingly applicable.
After the obligatory (he was perhaps the most famous cyclist in the world when this book came out) mini-biography and a brief synopsis about the ‘World of Cycling,’ - which usefully covers commuting, touring, along with road and track racing - he dives right in to topics that are still at the forefront of modern cycling. There’s a chapter on picking your bicycle, one on getting it properly fit. There are sections on cycling technique and training regimens. There's even a decently thorough chapter on bicycle maintenance. While the Complete Book of Bicycling might not explore the minutia of maintenance like Leonard Zinn’s handbook or delve into training details like something by Chris Carmichael, if you could only buy one book on cycling, it would have to be this one.
Of course, there are some parts you’re just going to have to overlook. The descriptions of cycling shoes and Kevlar/aluminum bikes will seem laughable these days. As will the idea that you can get a race-ready bike brand new for $350. But Lemond’s words about seat heights, body position and training periodization ring as true now as ever, and you'd be hard pressed to find more coherent and complete descriptions in any cycling book anywhere.
So, if you’re a bleeding-edge-of-technology drooler or don’t even count a ride unless it’s been measured and calibrated with a powermeter and heart rate monitor, this one might not be for you. But if you’re looking for good solid advice that took the author to three Tour victories (and probably inspired more than a few of the pros that followed in his footsteps) this book – like the cyclist that wrote it - is virtually impossible to beat.
Monday, May 4, 2009
It’s Not About the Bike – Lance Armstrong w/ Sally Jenkins
Non-Fiction (unless you’re a doping conspiracy theorist)
$9.75 from Amazon.com
Buy it if: You know little about cycling, but find Lance Armstrong to be an inspiring figure
Don’t Buy it if: You think Lance is a doper and don’t believe a word he says
The original. It’s a tough book to beat for the mainstream audience. It’s got all the requisite angles: Surviving against the odds, underdog victory and even a (kind of) love story. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know approximately what’s contained within (And even then, it would probably only be a matter of time before a centipede crawled by wearing a LiveStrong bracelet…) but there’s something to be said for getting the story from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
The truth of the matter is, if you regularly use the words 'peloton' and 'domestique' in everyday conversation, there’s not going to be much here that’s news to you. Hardcore cycle fans know the story of Armstrong already, plus the stories of Hincapie, Pantani, Ullrich, Lemond, etc… But if you see road bikes and think ‘Trek’ or believe that quaint little July race to Paris would be better termed the ‘Tour de Lance,’ this book is probably the best introduction you can find.
It’s Not About the Bike is a great, if slightly misleading, title, because in these pages, the focus is elsewhere. True, cycle racing figures prominently, but his story of cancer survival is given equal footing and this is almost certainly the story towards which most readers will gravitate. And it is a remarkable one, there’s no denying it. The difficulty of winning the Tour de France even once – let alone the record seven times Lance has – is incredible. The odds of successfully beating advanced testicular/lung/brain cancer? Almost equally long. Doing both in the course of five years? It would be a disservice to not write a book.
Of course, the pages hold little new information for anyone with a access to television or newspapers, especially given that much of the story is painted in broad strokes and overtly missing some very important characters. (Dr. Michele Ferrari where are you? Lance’s trusted but controversial former trainer is not mentioned once in this book, despite the very important role he played in Armstrong’s athletic career.) But millions of cancer patients couldn’t care less, and to some extent, that’s the point. Armstrong was given a sentence of death by cancer and overcame it. And he did so with hard, detailed work and research. This is his message and no one can deny it’s an important one, whether you ever push the pedals of two-wheeled transport or not…
If you’re looking for a hardcore cycling story look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a little inspiration and affirmation, this book might be the ticket. Even if the words ‘EPO,’ ‘soigneur’ and ‘crankset’ don’t even register on your radar, you’ll find something to take away from this one. My only real qualm? Come on, Lance, maybe it is just a little about the bike?
$9.75 from Amazon.com
Buy it if: You know little about cycling, but find Lance Armstrong to be an inspiring figure
Don’t Buy it if: You think Lance is a doper and don’t believe a word he says
The original. It’s a tough book to beat for the mainstream audience. It’s got all the requisite angles: Surviving against the odds, underdog victory and even a (kind of) love story. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know approximately what’s contained within (And even then, it would probably only be a matter of time before a centipede crawled by wearing a LiveStrong bracelet…) but there’s something to be said for getting the story from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
The truth of the matter is, if you regularly use the words 'peloton' and 'domestique' in everyday conversation, there’s not going to be much here that’s news to you. Hardcore cycle fans know the story of Armstrong already, plus the stories of Hincapie, Pantani, Ullrich, Lemond, etc… But if you see road bikes and think ‘Trek’ or believe that quaint little July race to Paris would be better termed the ‘Tour de Lance,’ this book is probably the best introduction you can find.
It’s Not About the Bike is a great, if slightly misleading, title, because in these pages, the focus is elsewhere. True, cycle racing figures prominently, but his story of cancer survival is given equal footing and this is almost certainly the story towards which most readers will gravitate. And it is a remarkable one, there’s no denying it. The difficulty of winning the Tour de France even once – let alone the record seven times Lance has – is incredible. The odds of successfully beating advanced testicular/lung/brain cancer? Almost equally long. Doing both in the course of five years? It would be a disservice to not write a book.
Of course, the pages hold little new information for anyone with a access to television or newspapers, especially given that much of the story is painted in broad strokes and overtly missing some very important characters. (Dr. Michele Ferrari where are you? Lance’s trusted but controversial former trainer is not mentioned once in this book, despite the very important role he played in Armstrong’s athletic career.) But millions of cancer patients couldn’t care less, and to some extent, that’s the point. Armstrong was given a sentence of death by cancer and overcame it. And he did so with hard, detailed work and research. This is his message and no one can deny it’s an important one, whether you ever push the pedals of two-wheeled transport or not…
If you’re looking for a hardcore cycling story look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a little inspiration and affirmation, this book might be the ticket. Even if the words ‘EPO,’ ‘soigneur’ and ‘crankset’ don’t even register on your radar, you’ll find something to take away from this one. My only real qualm? Come on, Lance, maybe it is just a little about the bike?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Wal-Mart Effect - Charles Fishman
Non-Fiction
$10.20 from Amazon.com (Not for sale at Wal-Mart retail outfits...)
Super Nerdy Distinction Award: Gilbert Lowell
Buy it if: You want to read one of the most fascinating books about corporate control of the global economy ever written
Don’t Buy it if: You’re an addicted Wal-Mart shopper who doesn’t want to know about the evil ways they keep those prices down…
There is an evil empire out there, and it was founded by Sam Walton. Whether you’re a Wal-Mart hater or an addicted shopper, there’s no denying the chain’s ubiquitous presence in America. My own town of York has two Wal-Mart Supercenters, one for each side of town! But how did this little midwestern discount store expand to the corporate monolith it is today? How pervasive is its influence when it comes to the economy? And how can they sell things so cheaply and still survive?
Charles Fishman tackles these questions and more in his superb book, The Wal-Mart Effect. 259 pages hardly seems enough to cover a corporation’s impact on the global economy while including a variety of case studies and well-trimmed statistics, but Fishman has no wasted words. Start to finish every sentence is a fascinating insight into the (very disturbing) depth to which Wal-Mart shapes the scales and breadth of worldwide commodities.
Of course, it’s one thing to point to statistics, declining trends and regression lines and use them to illustrate the obvious: Wal-Mart’s insistence on razor-thin margins trickles down through nearly every commercial enterprise in the world, from trucking to salmon farming. But the author’s brilliant incorporation of specific products and cases prevents the book from veering into the abstract. Two of the most memorable examples are the ‘Makin’ Bacon’ bacon microwave tray and Snapper lawnmowers. The former maintains a commercial relationship with the super chain and offers insight into the meeting and marketing process that occurs at Wal-Mart headquarters, while the latter is used an example of a company that could no longer juxtapose Wal-Mart’s insistence on lower prices with its own quality standards and thus had ceased appearing on the stores’ shelves.
Throughout the book, insights from Wal-Mart and manufacturer principles are used to bring depth to what could have been a very dry take on finances, economics and your basic supply and demand. Instead, we’re clued in to what makes Wal-Mart so different. After all, Target has nearly the same products at nearly the same prices, but Wal-Mart’s are ALWAYS lower. Why? And does it make a difference? Fishman posits that it certainly does and cites examples to prove this. (Wal-Mart’s corporate power being the most obvious one.) But what’s even more fascinating is the trickle down effect that comes from the policies of a company as massive as Wal-Mart - who’s trucking fleet is actually larger than that of the US government… It’s this study of the company’s effect on the world at large that is the main theme of The Wal-Mart Effect and it’s chilling to say the least. Big Brother may not be here yet, but if he comes, it’s a near certainty he’ll be arriving via a ‘Low Price Guarantee.’
As you know, I am a sucker for corporate profiles, but this one transcends the normal nerd-quotient and should suck in even you mainstreamers. It’s a glimpse into the brain of the monster in your backyard. (Or, in the case of the my town, the TWO ‘super’ monsters in my backyard.) You won’t ever look at the that massively blank storefront – or even the kindly old greeter – the same way again. Whether it’s with fear or loathing, The Wal-Mart Effect will forever change you discount retail perspective…
$10.20 from Amazon.com (Not for sale at Wal-Mart retail outfits...)
Super Nerdy Distinction Award: Gilbert Lowell
Buy it if: You want to read one of the most fascinating books about corporate control of the global economy ever written
Don’t Buy it if: You’re an addicted Wal-Mart shopper who doesn’t want to know about the evil ways they keep those prices down…
There is an evil empire out there, and it was founded by Sam Walton. Whether you’re a Wal-Mart hater or an addicted shopper, there’s no denying the chain’s ubiquitous presence in America. My own town of York has two Wal-Mart Supercenters, one for each side of town! But how did this little midwestern discount store expand to the corporate monolith it is today? How pervasive is its influence when it comes to the economy? And how can they sell things so cheaply and still survive?
Charles Fishman tackles these questions and more in his superb book, The Wal-Mart Effect. 259 pages hardly seems enough to cover a corporation’s impact on the global economy while including a variety of case studies and well-trimmed statistics, but Fishman has no wasted words. Start to finish every sentence is a fascinating insight into the (very disturbing) depth to which Wal-Mart shapes the scales and breadth of worldwide commodities.
Of course, it’s one thing to point to statistics, declining trends and regression lines and use them to illustrate the obvious: Wal-Mart’s insistence on razor-thin margins trickles down through nearly every commercial enterprise in the world, from trucking to salmon farming. But the author’s brilliant incorporation of specific products and cases prevents the book from veering into the abstract. Two of the most memorable examples are the ‘Makin’ Bacon’ bacon microwave tray and Snapper lawnmowers. The former maintains a commercial relationship with the super chain and offers insight into the meeting and marketing process that occurs at Wal-Mart headquarters, while the latter is used an example of a company that could no longer juxtapose Wal-Mart’s insistence on lower prices with its own quality standards and thus had ceased appearing on the stores’ shelves.
Throughout the book, insights from Wal-Mart and manufacturer principles are used to bring depth to what could have been a very dry take on finances, economics and your basic supply and demand. Instead, we’re clued in to what makes Wal-Mart so different. After all, Target has nearly the same products at nearly the same prices, but Wal-Mart’s are ALWAYS lower. Why? And does it make a difference? Fishman posits that it certainly does and cites examples to prove this. (Wal-Mart’s corporate power being the most obvious one.) But what’s even more fascinating is the trickle down effect that comes from the policies of a company as massive as Wal-Mart - who’s trucking fleet is actually larger than that of the US government… It’s this study of the company’s effect on the world at large that is the main theme of The Wal-Mart Effect and it’s chilling to say the least. Big Brother may not be here yet, but if he comes, it’s a near certainty he’ll be arriving via a ‘Low Price Guarantee.’
As you know, I am a sucker for corporate profiles, but this one transcends the normal nerd-quotient and should suck in even you mainstreamers. It’s a glimpse into the brain of the monster in your backyard. (Or, in the case of the my town, the TWO ‘super’ monsters in my backyard.) You won’t ever look at the that massively blank storefront – or even the kindly old greeter – the same way again. Whether it’s with fear or loathing, The Wal-Mart Effect will forever change you discount retail perspective…
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