Customer Reviews:

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A2FJ416LX993SO 2008-10-09
 
Review Summary: Great book about a British cycling hero.
 
Review Content: Like some of the other reviewers I had not realised the extent of Robert's achievements until I read this. He was a great rider and it will take some time and changes in the way we train cyclists in this country before we see any male rider as good all round as he was. The book itself evoked real anger in me, where it talks about Robert being duped into second place in the Tour of Spain. This sort thing shows a lack of self esteem on the part of those who pulled it off. And denied both Robert and Britain of a win in a major tour. I found the email correspondence at the end of the book both fascinating and poignant. If Robert ever reads any of this stuff on Amazon all I can say thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. It is people like Robert that make us aspire to greater things ourselves. This is a great book and recommended reading.
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A3O7T6NUL84G8G 2008-09-14
 
Review Summary: Exceptional account about an intriguing man
 
Review Content: Have to agree with all the rest of the reviews, simply a great story of Millars' life. A fantastic cyclist, who gave joy to a great many with his epic climbs. He obviously was intelligent and committed during his career, and if he wishes to remain out of the public eye now, then one hopes he gets his wish.

Why this was not shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award 2007 (let alone win it) I'll never understand. Have read a couple of the shortlisted books (including the winner) and they just don't compare.
 
 
 

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: ASY2E9IGQAYXG 2008-08-31
 
Review Summary: Well-overdue biography of a cycling legend.
 
Review Content: My earliest memory of Robert Millar is when he appeared in the Kellogg's cinema advert soon after winning the Tour de France "King of the Mountains" title. Sadly, Robert remains the only british rider to achive this level of success in Le Tour and this biographer makes no attempt to hide his admiration.

I don't agree with the reviewer who suggested that this is the best ever cycling biography but it is nevertheless a very good read. Journalist Richard Moore has done a terrific job of researching his subject including interviews with a wide range of people who knew / know Millar. Unfortunately, Millar himself did not cooperate with the book (although he did not actively provide an obstruction) and for that reason, there is little comment from the great man himself. Similarly, there is little in the way of comment from his immediate family.

Millar's career is covered in detail and teh book doesn't shy away from discussing subjects such as Millar's legendary caution with money or his failed drugs test. A less sympathetic author might have been tempted to provide a bit more analysis in these areas. A fine book.
 
 
 

0 out of 0 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A3590H8K3O99IO 2008-07-08
 
Review Summary: What more can I say
 
Review Content: The previous reviews say it all. My first encounter with Robert Millar was a radio report on Radio Clyde the day after he won his first tour stage and as a 14 year old living in the West of Scotland I had the overwhelming urge to find out more about the guy. Now many years later thanks to this fantastic book I finally know as much as there is to know about Bob as is available in the public domain. Utterly compelling. If you saw a middle aged guy almost crying next to a swimming pool on a small Greek Island in June 2008, that was probably me finishing this book.
Brilliant.
 
 
 

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful
Customer Id: A2JLK7DWI73NFZ 2008-07-03
 
Review Summary: Could not put it down
 
Review Content: I 'knew' Robert Millar as we both worked at Weir Pumps in the Test department in 1977/1978. I followed his cycling career and truly believe that Richard Moore has captured the spirit and character of Robert in the book. He has done some amazing amount of research to come up with the book. It is much more than a 'Sports Biography'. For reasons I cannot quite explain I felt sad when I finished the book - maybe simply because I had finished a great read - or perhaps the apparent closing of the door on Robert's life.

I have also read Matt Rendell's 'The Death of Marco Pantani' which is also a very good book. Matt Rendell's writing is really excellent, as is his forensic analysis of medical records a la the drugs and doping. But the Robert Millar book is something else - much more personal and simply a 'good' story.

Wherever Robert is, and whatever he is doing, I console myself to hoping that at least he has read the book, and can hopefully consider that his life story has been well presented (at last).

Ian Reynolds