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A Race for Madmen: The History of the Tour de France
Initially founded to demonstrate a new British invention—the bicycle—and as a venue to show off the French countryside, the Tour de France continues to exhibit the most extraordinary feats of human endurance from its competitors. Now cyclist and journalist Chris Sidwells brings the Tour to life by pulling back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes battles, tactics, and technology that have played such a large role in the race from its inception.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 14, 2020
This was a very average read. I liked it because it's about the Tour de France, and I could read about that all day, but it had loads of problems.
The writing was very average, lots of cliches and clumsy phrases. It was also poorly edited; lots of riders' names were spelled differently from one page to the next, and some actual facts of what happened during the Tour were wrong.
I also thought that in the more recent years the book focused so much on the doping that it forgot a race was actually happening during it. This edition was post-Armstrong confession, but essentially the author seemed not to be that bothered about actually writing about the racing happening while they were all doping. This is odd considering this is actually the period where the author was a cycling journalist.
I think there are much better histories of the Tour that you could read and wouldn't hugely recommend this one. 2.5 stars.
The writing was very average, lots of cliches and clumsy phrases. It was also poorly edited; lots of riders' names were spelled differently from one page to the next, and some actual facts of what happened during the Tour were wrong.
I also thought that in the more recent years the book focused so much on the doping that it forgot a race was actually happening during it. This edition was post-Armstrong confession, but essentially the author seemed not to be that bothered about actually writing about the racing happening while they were all doping. This is odd considering this is actually the period where the author was a cycling journalist.
I think there are much better histories of the Tour that you could read and wouldn't hugely recommend this one. 2.5 stars.
May 10, 2012
If we're going to be killjoys about this book, let's get it over with: it's a chronological list of winners, heroes and notable events connected with the frequently insane history of the Tour de France. However, even as something as nuts as le Tour needs narration to bring it to life, and Sidwells makes a good job of it.
All the usual suspects are here, from Coppi to Armstrong via Anquetil, Merckx, Bobet, Indurian, Hinault and co, and all are given suitable word count against the rolling backdrop of the Tour's evolution from a bunch of wined-up agricultural workers charging about the place on bikes made of iron to the doping scandals that very nearly ended the event in the late '90s. Indeed, the issue of doping, which has been part of le Tour to a greater or lesser extent since it began is an interesting subplot to all the Col de Tourmalet and Champs Elyse heroics. After all, if you're going to demand that people do something which is beyond human endurance for the entertainment of the public, can you blame them for taking drugs to help?
Also of interest is the effect of conflict upon the race. Within six weeks of the 1914 edition, everyone was at war with everyone else, and the Nazi Tours that took place in Vichy France during World War Two are something which le Tour itself would rather forget. Not that they were necessarily the bad guys - if you have the Gestapo organising your bike race, you're probably going to think twice before claiming to have left your games kit at home.
I enjoyed this book. Then again, I like cycling and the Tour de France. Would you like it as much if you just liked stuff that was of immense sporting and cultural importance? You know, I think you would.
All the usual suspects are here, from Coppi to Armstrong via Anquetil, Merckx, Bobet, Indurian, Hinault and co, and all are given suitable word count against the rolling backdrop of the Tour's evolution from a bunch of wined-up agricultural workers charging about the place on bikes made of iron to the doping scandals that very nearly ended the event in the late '90s. Indeed, the issue of doping, which has been part of le Tour to a greater or lesser extent since it began is an interesting subplot to all the Col de Tourmalet and Champs Elyse heroics. After all, if you're going to demand that people do something which is beyond human endurance for the entertainment of the public, can you blame them for taking drugs to help?
Also of interest is the effect of conflict upon the race. Within six weeks of the 1914 edition, everyone was at war with everyone else, and the Nazi Tours that took place in Vichy France during World War Two are something which le Tour itself would rather forget. Not that they were necessarily the bad guys - if you have the Gestapo organising your bike race, you're probably going to think twice before claiming to have left your games kit at home.
I enjoyed this book. Then again, I like cycling and the Tour de France. Would you like it as much if you just liked stuff that was of immense sporting and cultural importance? You know, I think you would.
August 6, 2013
Enjoyed it - detail in the early days is great and I like the nostalgia that reading about Indurain and the winners in the 90's brought back too. However, this book has been sitting on my shelf for about a year and a half and in that time all the Lance Armstrong stuff has come and gone. I'm sure it would be a completely different book now because of that (he sits on the fence about whether he thinks LA cheated or not, which was probably about as far as you could go back then...) The story about Tom Simpson was a highlight of this - hadn't known the full details until this.
August 17, 2018
As an avid cyclist I’ve been surprisingly not that interested in the Tour de France. The cloud of doping and drugs hangs over the race, and I’ve lost the interest I had since the days of Lance Amstrong’s remarkable 7 Tour victories.
What changed this year was the spectacular coverage of this year’s Tour. This, coupled with a growing interest I have in French and France caused me to pick up this book.
Overall “A Race for Madmen” was a good read covering the history of this extraordinary event. The book covers its highs (literally and figuratively) and lows starting in 1903 and concludes with the 2013 – so it is not completely up to date.
I learned a few interesting things including the purpose of the Yellow Jersey, as well as the Green, Pocca-dot, White and White/Red ones as well. While I grew up following Eddy Merckx I was not as aware of many of the other great cyclists including Bernard Hinault (“The Badger”), Jacques Anquitel and Prudencio Indurain – all five time winners. This book help with this.
While it was a good history, and one written by someone who clearly loves the sport, I was looking for more. I’m not sure what that “more” is, but perhaps what it is really like to be part of the event – as a rider, support team or spectator. Perhaps I should just follow the advice of the author – Chris Sidwells – and go see “The Greatest Show on Earth” in person!
What changed this year was the spectacular coverage of this year’s Tour. This, coupled with a growing interest I have in French and France caused me to pick up this book.
Overall “A Race for Madmen” was a good read covering the history of this extraordinary event. The book covers its highs (literally and figuratively) and lows starting in 1903 and concludes with the 2013 – so it is not completely up to date.
I learned a few interesting things including the purpose of the Yellow Jersey, as well as the Green, Pocca-dot, White and White/Red ones as well. While I grew up following Eddy Merckx I was not as aware of many of the other great cyclists including Bernard Hinault (“The Badger”), Jacques Anquitel and Prudencio Indurain – all five time winners. This book help with this.
While it was a good history, and one written by someone who clearly loves the sport, I was looking for more. I’m not sure what that “more” is, but perhaps what it is really like to be part of the event – as a rider, support team or spectator. Perhaps I should just follow the advice of the author – Chris Sidwells – and go see “The Greatest Show on Earth” in person!
December 18, 2025
The edition I read was pre Armstrong confession so it was interesting to read about the lay of the land in the cycling community in 2010. So many red flags.
The story itself if a good overview of the history of the Tour. Obviously it’s hard to cover 100 years in one book but this 10,000’ view was interesting nonetheless. At least for someone who started the book with only the 30,000’ view that I had. It certainly brought up some characters and events that I would like to investigate more deeply.
If nothing else, the book confirmed my assumption that “normal” people aren’t Grand Tours champions. Whether fathering a child with your step-daughter (with her mother’s consent!!!!) or filling your body with chemicals despite a previous bout with cancer, these people are not wired like the test of us.
The story itself if a good overview of the history of the Tour. Obviously it’s hard to cover 100 years in one book but this 10,000’ view was interesting nonetheless. At least for someone who started the book with only the 30,000’ view that I had. It certainly brought up some characters and events that I would like to investigate more deeply.
If nothing else, the book confirmed my assumption that “normal” people aren’t Grand Tours champions. Whether fathering a child with your step-daughter (with her mother’s consent!!!!) or filling your body with chemicals despite a previous bout with cancer, these people are not wired like the test of us.
July 9, 2021
Chris Sidwells' book is certainly an entertaining read for fans of pro cycling, but it's at its best tracing the early history of the Tour de France. By the time we get to the Armstrong era, despite an update on Armstrong's downfall this 2013 edition starts to feel very dated - ongoing (in 2013) court cases prevent him going into certain topics, he's still speculating about (the now long retired) Bradley Wiggins' future successes, Froome is still second fiddle in Team Sky. It's a fun book and I ripped through it, but I almost wish Sidwells had stopped his history at, say, 1990 and not tried to cover the (2013) present day, or was prepared to add a chapter every few years. Who knows, maybe theres a follow-up on the way. Hope so, because I did enjoy this one.
August 11, 2019
An interesting book covering the entire history of the Tour de France from its inception up to 2009.
There has been many interesting characters and gripping racing over the years and its an entertaining read throughout.
It clearly covers Lance Armstrong's seven wins but publication pre-dates his eventual admission of doping after many years of proclaiming his innocence. Nonetheless he still comes across as a brash, arrogant and unpleasant man.
There has been many interesting characters and gripping racing over the years and its an entertaining read throughout.
It clearly covers Lance Armstrong's seven wins but publication pre-dates his eventual admission of doping after many years of proclaiming his innocence. Nonetheless he still comes across as a brash, arrogant and unpleasant man.
February 18, 2017
Well written account of the history of the Tour de France, very readable with chapters well spaced through the race's history and including some perspective from the author's own interviews with some of the protagonists.
February 12, 2019
A brilliant book about the haitory of the tour de France. Brilliant anecdotes about the tour and really articulates why people who love the tour, love the tour.
July 10, 2021
Not the sort of book I'd normally read but I enjoyed it.
January 9, 2024
3.5/5 - reads well still in 2024 though some Lance Armstrong info seems more clear in hindsight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Out of date and a biased author but still fun
December 6, 2020
Just finished this, I'd say well worth a read interesting viewpoints on the Tour de France and some great stories about the history of TdF my only criticism of the book is it gets a bit drawn out in last few chapters almost feeling the author ran out of stuff to say, so carried on regardless. I have met the author who is an interesting bloke, and did get an unnecessary grilling about doing when I went, but defended his views with respect and knowledge. If you're a cycling fan, read it.
August 21, 2012
A history of the Tour de France. This is pretty good, does a good job of placing the legends of cycling like Coppi, Bartoli, Merckx etc in their place. I thought it weakened a little on the newer stuff, but it was released a couple of years ago so it obviously missing some perspective on the Lance years, given whats going on now. A good intro to the history of the race, and cycling to a certain extent, very few of the greats haven't made the tour their domain (some Italians go giro first and last)
7.5/10
7.5/10
July 24, 2013
A great insight, even for non-cyclists
Sidwells captures the thrills and challenges of the race in terrific detail, highlighting some of the characters and dramatic incidents that have made the Tour such a spectacle.
While it will be a goldmine of facts for cycling fans, even those who have never ridden a bike in their lives will be caught up in the tension as legendary riders risk their lives to beat their rivals by the slimmest margins.
Sidwells captures the thrills and challenges of the race in terrific detail, highlighting some of the characters and dramatic incidents that have made the Tour such a spectacle.
While it will be a goldmine of facts for cycling fans, even those who have never ridden a bike in their lives will be caught up in the tension as legendary riders risk their lives to beat their rivals by the slimmest margins.
October 3, 2014
I love cycling and I thought this book was a great history of the TDF. It wasn't the best writing ever, but it wasn't terrible. The author had a lot of great insight and lots of access to the right people. There were some areas where it got a bit bogged down describing the races, where I tuned out slightly. But for the most part, it was interesting information. And now I'm ready for this year's race!
December 26, 2014
This book did a great job of telling the story of the Tour De France from the beginning all the way to 2012. You really got to understand more about how the race works and the type of men who raced in it. It was also interesting to read about how doping has been a part of the Tour since its start, as well as the modern history of doping, since this was written just prior to Lance Armstrong's confession.
July 21, 2016
A fine book on the history of the Tour de France. I stopped reading a couple of chapters from the end when we got to the work of fiction that is Lance Armstrong, although the chapter before does a great job of explaining what EPO is/does and why people would use it. I spoke to the author on Twitter and he tells me that there is a revised and updated edition — if you are thinking of reading this, make sure you buy that one!
October 3, 2010
The is the first book I've read about the tour and may be the last. I'm not really a follower of the tour but was simply curious. I most enjoyed the earlier chapters about the early history of the tour and the heroics of the early cyclists. Interesting, but I'm not reckoningthat this is the best book ever written about the tour.
August 5, 2011
Sidwells' history of the TdF is told in chunks that take in either incredible events on the Tour (doping scandals, racing during WW2) or in biographical pieces on the big winners. It is a reasonable introduction to the race, but where it does fall down is that it has no reference section with lists of the various category winners.
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book but at times I felt I was just reading a list of facts rather than a story. At other times I really enjoyed the humour and honesty of the writing. It was good to fill in the many gaps in my knowledge of cycling history and not just the Tour. A great primer for a planned trip to watch the tour in 2013.
February 2, 2013
I really enjoyed this as a complete novice to cycle racing, it really helped me to understand where the culture of the Tour de France came from and how it was a race with no real rules. You could argue that the cultural history of the race has led to the disastrous doping scandals of the '80s,'90s and '00s. It makes me very suspicious that the UCI has known and been complicit all along.
July 24, 2011
All in all an alright read. Interesting material and life stories, but not really that well written and lacking engagement with the reader. A decent primer on Le Tour's history, but I'm sure there are other more inspiring histories out there.
February 14, 2012
Read to coincide with my annual interest in the Tour this book is a perfect way to catch up on 100 years of the race. Tells some of the intriguing stories from the earlier races brilliantly. Skims the modern years a little but still a great primer.
February 13, 2014
Pretty well written book about the history of the Tour de France, and pretty current as well. Not a lot of new information about a subject as well documented at the TDF, but some good insight and a few good interviews. I enjoyed it.
October 14, 2014
I enjoyed the stories of the characters themselves, but the book as a whole is dry. I understand that it is a history but it's just kind of like "this guy won, then this guy won" and "the race is really hard"
Read
August 5, 2014Accessible overview of the history of the Tour and its major players. Odd to read something written pre-Armstrong revelations - ends just before 2010 tour - & I felt it rather glossed over the doping generally. Enjoyable though.
April 12, 2011
A fun history of the Tour de France. Casually written and accessible to everyone, even those who have no previous knowledge of cycling.
July 31, 2011
A 'chatty' canter through the history of the Tour. Good place to start.
November 23, 2011
Easy to read, interesting history of the Tour de France.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews