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Fallen Angel: The Passion of Fausto Coppi
A remarkable biography of one of history's greatest cyclists—a man who lived a tumultous life, and was voted the most popular Italian sportsman of the 20th century Fausto Angelo Coppi was the campionissimo, or champion of champions, and this is the tragic story of his life and death, and how a man who became the symbol of a nation's rebirth after the disasters of war died reviled and heartbroken. The greatest cyclist of the immediate post-war years, he was the first man to win cycling's great double, the Tour de France and Tour of Italy, in the same year—and he did it twice. He achieved mythical status for his crushing solo victories, world titles and world records. But his significance extends far beyond his sport. Coppi's scandalous divorce and controversial early death convulsed a conservative, staunchly Roman Catholic Italy in the 1950s. At a time when adultery was still illegal, Coppi and his lover were dragged from their bed in the middle of the night, excommunicated, and forced to face a clamorous legal battle, the ramifications of which are still being felt today. Told with insight and intelligence, this is a unique portrait of Italy and Italian sport at a time of tumultuous change.
292 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 27, 2021
A good complement to Buzzati's The Giro D'Italia: Coppi Vs. Bartali at the 1949 Tour of Italy, though the two works written in very different styles -- Buzzati impressionistic and lyrical, whimsical at times, narrower in scope, and Fotheringham direct and clear, equally adept at exposition and description, which serves him well for a full biography well placed in historical context. (WF plays homage to DB by quoting his book a few times.)
The drama of Coppi's personal life and the excitement of his racing skills are, of course, the focus and main appeal of the book, but as the book progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in larger cultural matters such as the importance of the bicycle in impoverished, post-war Italy, which WF highlights to great effect with commentary on famous Italian movie "The Bicycle Thief," and the role of sports in efforts by the Church to reestablish its authority in healing the social divisions wrought by the nightmarish sins of the war. A statue of a cyclist outside the chapel of the Madonna Del Ghisallo, a place visited by Popes, bears message, "God created the bicycle as an instrument of effort and exaltation on the arduous road of life." This very pubic melding of the spiritual and temporal contributed both to Coppi's heroic status at the height of his hugely successful racing career and his eventual downfall when his personal life became such a public spectacle.
As for Coppi the man, his character is probably best summed up by the French sports journalist Jacques Goddet: "The man drags constant worry in his wake and it is his most cruel adversary."
The drama of Coppi's personal life and the excitement of his racing skills are, of course, the focus and main appeal of the book, but as the book progressed, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in larger cultural matters such as the importance of the bicycle in impoverished, post-war Italy, which WF highlights to great effect with commentary on famous Italian movie "The Bicycle Thief," and the role of sports in efforts by the Church to reestablish its authority in healing the social divisions wrought by the nightmarish sins of the war. A statue of a cyclist outside the chapel of the Madonna Del Ghisallo, a place visited by Popes, bears message, "God created the bicycle as an instrument of effort and exaltation on the arduous road of life." This very pubic melding of the spiritual and temporal contributed both to Coppi's heroic status at the height of his hugely successful racing career and his eventual downfall when his personal life became such a public spectacle.
As for Coppi the man, his character is probably best summed up by the French sports journalist Jacques Goddet: "The man drags constant worry in his wake and it is his most cruel adversary."
January 10, 2012
I love everything William Fotheringham writes, from his journalism to his books (I think I've read all of them). He's a classically good writer in that he is an expert in his subject (pro cycling, if that's not clear) but never condescends, never gets too geeky, and always pitches his work at exactly the right level. I had every faith that this biography of Coppi would be what I'd been after ever since I heard of Coppi. The bare facts are that Coppi, from a small village in Italy, was set for cycling stardom when the Second World War intervened. He didn't see too much action, luckily, and, again luckily, was captured by the British, who treated him tolerably, and even let him get back to riding while still a POW. The end of the war brought a risorgimento to Italian cycling in a divided, broken country, always on the verge of either bankruptcy or the dreaded communism, and it was partly Coppi's cycling triumphs that gave Italians something to be cheerful about. Coppi's marriage, to a woman called Bruna, who believed in him as a man and as a cyclist, fell apart when Coppi, notoriously, took up with doctor's wife Giulia Locatelli, known as the White Lady, though scarlet would have been a better colour in the moral scheme ruling Italy. Other figures fascinate: Fausto's beloved brother Serse, who died during a race, his blind masseur who had such an influence on him, and, famously, his rivalry with the other great Italian cyclist of the day, Gino Bartali. It's all there, and all told in such a way that I didn't want this book to end.
December 3, 2016
At his height, Fausto Angelo Coppi, was the best cyclist in the world. He shot to fame after he won the Giro d’Italia at the age of 20 in 1940, something that some though was impossible for someone so young. After war service he resumed his cycling career and in 1949 he was the first to win the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the same year. In 1952 he became the second person to win both again. These victories in the grand tours and the one day classics were riden on roads that would nowadays be suited to mountain bikes. He had an epic rivalry with the worlds other top cyclist, the Italian Gino Bartali, as they swapped places and titles. No wonder he was called campionissimo – champion of champions.
But there was another side to his life. In the mid 20th century adultery was illegal in Italy, a law controlled and enforced by the catholic church. His friendship with Giulia Occhini, sometimes known as The White Lady, became much more. As they were both married with children, the authorities took a dim view of this. They were both dragged from their beds in the middle of the night, excommunicated and imprisoned and were the focus of a huge legal battle at the time of huge social changes in Italian society.
Coppi had always been one of the legends of the sport, and Fotheringham has written a carefully considered biography of him. It is a celebration of his cycling achievements and a considered account of his failings and tragic early end of his life. One for the true cycling buff though.
But there was another side to his life. In the mid 20th century adultery was illegal in Italy, a law controlled and enforced by the catholic church. His friendship with Giulia Occhini, sometimes known as The White Lady, became much more. As they were both married with children, the authorities took a dim view of this. They were both dragged from their beds in the middle of the night, excommunicated and imprisoned and were the focus of a huge legal battle at the time of huge social changes in Italian society.
Coppi had always been one of the legends of the sport, and Fotheringham has written a carefully considered biography of him. It is a celebration of his cycling achievements and a considered account of his failings and tragic early end of his life. One for the true cycling buff though.
October 17, 2012
The Passion of Fausto Coppi is a fitting title for a book telling the life story of one cycling's true legends. While it was a story I was already familiar with (most notable thanks to Pedalare! Pedalare! by John Foot), William Fotheringham does an excellent job of telling the story of Fausto Coppi's life without getting caught up in all the drama and speculation that still surrounds it to this day. The real highlight of the book is how Fotheringham manages to give Coppi a real character, one that is a determined cyclist who trained and prepared for races in a way which would be recognisable to modern professionals, but who struggled through his entire career with mental fragility. All that is captured with an easy to read style that doesn't distract from the story being told.
Even with the events in the book happening long before my time, reading about the rise to greatest and the subsequent decline and tragic death of Fausto Coppi still managed to have a good pull at my heart strings.
Well worth a read for any fan of cycling, or anyone interested in sporting history. Fausto Coppi was truly one of the greats.
"Coppi il mito"
Even with the events in the book happening long before my time, reading about the rise to greatest and the subsequent decline and tragic death of Fausto Coppi still managed to have a good pull at my heart strings.
Well worth a read for any fan of cycling, or anyone interested in sporting history. Fausto Coppi was truly one of the greats.
"Coppi il mito"
December 21, 2010
A moving and detailed history of the life of the Italian cyclist. I took my time reading it, as I enjoy Fotheringham's style of writing and wanted it to continue as long as possible. Even though I knew how Coppi's life ended, I found myself feeling intense frustration at the seeming ineptitude of the physicians in charge of his care in his final days.
The tales of his childhood and his close relationship with his brother, Serse, were particularly moving and quite revealing of Coppi's character. At times I wished Fotheringham had considered writing a fictional account of il Campionissimo's life, because I believe he could do such a story justice. As with his book about Tom Simpson, Fotheringham brings a freshness and even an urgency to Coppi's story, which had me turning pages in rapid succession to read more and more.
I recommend this book highly to anyone looking to learn more about Fausto Coppi, his life and his loves.
The tales of his childhood and his close relationship with his brother, Serse, were particularly moving and quite revealing of Coppi's character. At times I wished Fotheringham had considered writing a fictional account of il Campionissimo's life, because I believe he could do such a story justice. As with his book about Tom Simpson, Fotheringham brings a freshness and even an urgency to Coppi's story, which had me turning pages in rapid succession to read more and more.
I recommend this book highly to anyone looking to learn more about Fausto Coppi, his life and his loves.
September 27, 2012
Although I was aware of Coppi from a very early age I was not aware of the enormity of his reputation (Italians still rate him their finest athlete 50 years after his death).
This is an easy book to read but I suppose it would be of limited interest to non cyclists.
The crux of the book is not,surprisingly, his exploits and achievements as a cyclist but his adulterous relationship with a female fan. Amazingly he finished up in court as adultery in Italy was still illegal (this law was not repealed until 1968). Controversy dogged his whole life and his tragic early death at the age of 40 is still seen by some as murder or manslaughter.
I recommend this book mainly because of Fotheringham's easy style.
I have also read his book on the death of Tom Simpson which is also a good read.
This is an easy book to read but I suppose it would be of limited interest to non cyclists.
The crux of the book is not,surprisingly, his exploits and achievements as a cyclist but his adulterous relationship with a female fan. Amazingly he finished up in court as adultery in Italy was still illegal (this law was not repealed until 1968). Controversy dogged his whole life and his tragic early death at the age of 40 is still seen by some as murder or manslaughter.
I recommend this book mainly because of Fotheringham's easy style.
I have also read his book on the death of Tom Simpson which is also a good read.
September 11, 2016
This was an interesting, engaging read about the life of Fausto Coppi, clearly told by an expert.
An over-reliance on the humble semi-colon put a dampener on the book a little, as did the author's tendency to jump forwards and backwards in time for certain passages (causing something akin to 'spoilers' for those of us who don't already know everything about Coppi's life and races!).
Still, great to read the fascinating story behind a cycling legend.
An over-reliance on the humble semi-colon put a dampener on the book a little, as did the author's tendency to jump forwards and backwards in time for certain passages (causing something akin to 'spoilers' for those of us who don't already know everything about Coppi's life and races!).
Still, great to read the fascinating story behind a cycling legend.
March 8, 2025
Me encanta el verano. Jamás he entendido a esa gente que no le gusta el verano. El calor y los turistas con pintas estrafalarias no son rivales para las vacaciones, los helados de mango, los baños en la playa, los reencuentros con colegas, las siestas sin hora de acabar y las tardes leyendo como no se puede el resto del año. No obstante, lo mejor del verano es la celebración del mayor espectáculo de la humanidad, la lucha del hombre contra la naturaleza, la conmemoración de la vida hecha deporte: el Tour de Francia. Desde que era niño se desarrolló en mí un fervor religioso hacia el ciclismo que ha desembocado en una obsesión que se extiende también a las clásicas y las vueltas menores. Algo de eso deben notar mis amistades italianas, pues el año pasado me regalaron El Giro de Italia de Dino Buzzati —una recopilación de artículos del escritor y periodista sobre la edición de 1949—. Este año, dos amigos de Calabria me sorprendieron con La pasión de Fausto Coppi, escrito por William Fotheringham y editado por Cultura Ciclista. Una biografía sobre uno de los mayores fenómenos de la historia del ciclismo, plagada de ambición y misticismo. Un personaje que representa una época de grandes cambios más allá del pedal.
He de admitir que la biografía no se encuentra entre los géneros de mis lecturas habituales. En el caso que nos concierne, Fotheringham se decanta por el rigor y la sobriedad del tono periodístico para cimentar una historia con reminiscencias de novela. No en vano, el autor británico es una firma habitual de The Guardian y ha escrito una decena de libros especializados en ciclismo y rugby. Su pluma ha relatado pasajes de grandes campeones como Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Beryl Burton, Tom Simpson o Bradley Wiggins. No es la primera vez que las obras y milagros de Fausto Coppi protagonizan un libro. De hecho, el interés del ciclista piamontés ha crecido ostensiblemente en las últimas décadas y este se ha ramificado por la televisión, el cine y la prensa. Además de su carrera deportiva, los asuntos extradeportivos suscitan morbo y epopeyas variopintas.
La pasión de Fausto Coppi rememora en capítulos perfectamente diferenciados la fascinación y controversia que generó el personaje. La humildad de los orígenes de Coppi le sirvió para que Biagio Cavanna apostara por él. El masajista ciego tenía la teoría de que un pobre se exprimiría mucho más que una persona de procedencia acomodada. Y no le falta razón. Poco después de conquistar su primer Giro de Italia en 1939, la prominente carrera de Coppi se vería truncada por el estallido de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Aunque pudo refugiarse en el ciclismo en pista y batir el récord de la hora, finalmente Coppi debería enrolarse en el ejército fascista para luchar en el frente norteafricano, convirtiéndose en rehén de los británicos. Como en toda biografía de una leyenda se necesita algún tipo de milagro. En el caso de Fausto Coppi se cree que su condición de exitoso ciclista evitó que recayera sobre él la sed de venganza de los vencedores.
Concluida la contienda e Italia tratando de espolsarse las cenizas del odio, Coppi retomaría su carrera y emergería la famosa rivalidad con Gino Bartali. Bartali había sido previamente su compañero de equipo y lo seguiría siendo en el Tour de Francia, el cual se disputaba entonces por escuadras nacionales. Bartali representaba el viejo mundo, el ciclismo clásico y el pensamiento de corte tradicional; mientras que Coppi refundó el concepto de deportista, refinó las pautas de entrenamiento, la dieta y el peso de la estrategia. En esa tesitura, Coppi era profundamente meticuloso con su estilo de vida y no tuvo escrúpulos en recurrir a métodos cuanto menos discutibles como una suerte de dopaje primigenio a base de distintos tipos de anfetaminas. De esta forma, Coppi no sólo fue un gran vueltómano —cosechando cinco Giros y dos Tours—, sino que también se convirtió en un depredador de clásicas. Probablemente, Coppi sería el mejor ciclista de la historia hasta la irrupción del caníbal Merckx.
Más allá de su carrera, la obra de Fotheringham se adentra en la vida íntima de Coppi. Su matrimonio con Bruna Ciampolini y su huida con Giulia Occhini puso patas arriba los convencionalismos morales de la Italia de posguerra. De hecho, el adulterio de la pareja se saldó con sendas penas de cárcel y un lamentable espectáculo que todavía alimenta la caspa televisiva. Aquel martirio encerró más aún a un Coppi en declive a lomos de una bicicleta. No es de extrañar que fuera el único lugar donde se sintiera humano, que se convirtiera en un refugio de un mundo que lo endiosaba y satanizaba a partes iguales. Su muerte, debido a un contagio de malaria no diagnosticado, acabaría por suscitar una infinidad de teorías y leyendas infundadas sobre su persona.
Hay algo mágico en esa actividad de pedalear en los días de verano. Quizá sea un mecanismo que proyecte las esperanzas y las pasiones depositadas en una nueva carrera, en una resplandeciente oportunidad. Quizá la bicicleta trace la ilusión de que todos los caminos tienen algún final. Supongo que el pedaleo no es más que una metáfora de la vida y que todos algún día seremos descolgados del pelotón para tener que echar pie a tierra en una oscura y silenciosa cuneta. Quizá el ciclismo sea una de las formas más puras de entender nuestra existencia y, entre ellas, la de Fausto Coppi sea una de las que mayor pasión trasmita.
He de admitir que la biografía no se encuentra entre los géneros de mis lecturas habituales. En el caso que nos concierne, Fotheringham se decanta por el rigor y la sobriedad del tono periodístico para cimentar una historia con reminiscencias de novela. No en vano, el autor británico es una firma habitual de The Guardian y ha escrito una decena de libros especializados en ciclismo y rugby. Su pluma ha relatado pasajes de grandes campeones como Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Beryl Burton, Tom Simpson o Bradley Wiggins. No es la primera vez que las obras y milagros de Fausto Coppi protagonizan un libro. De hecho, el interés del ciclista piamontés ha crecido ostensiblemente en las últimas décadas y este se ha ramificado por la televisión, el cine y la prensa. Además de su carrera deportiva, los asuntos extradeportivos suscitan morbo y epopeyas variopintas.
La pasión de Fausto Coppi rememora en capítulos perfectamente diferenciados la fascinación y controversia que generó el personaje. La humildad de los orígenes de Coppi le sirvió para que Biagio Cavanna apostara por él. El masajista ciego tenía la teoría de que un pobre se exprimiría mucho más que una persona de procedencia acomodada. Y no le falta razón. Poco después de conquistar su primer Giro de Italia en 1939, la prominente carrera de Coppi se vería truncada por el estallido de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Aunque pudo refugiarse en el ciclismo en pista y batir el récord de la hora, finalmente Coppi debería enrolarse en el ejército fascista para luchar en el frente norteafricano, convirtiéndose en rehén de los británicos. Como en toda biografía de una leyenda se necesita algún tipo de milagro. En el caso de Fausto Coppi se cree que su condición de exitoso ciclista evitó que recayera sobre él la sed de venganza de los vencedores.
Concluida la contienda e Italia tratando de espolsarse las cenizas del odio, Coppi retomaría su carrera y emergería la famosa rivalidad con Gino Bartali. Bartali había sido previamente su compañero de equipo y lo seguiría siendo en el Tour de Francia, el cual se disputaba entonces por escuadras nacionales. Bartali representaba el viejo mundo, el ciclismo clásico y el pensamiento de corte tradicional; mientras que Coppi refundó el concepto de deportista, refinó las pautas de entrenamiento, la dieta y el peso de la estrategia. En esa tesitura, Coppi era profundamente meticuloso con su estilo de vida y no tuvo escrúpulos en recurrir a métodos cuanto menos discutibles como una suerte de dopaje primigenio a base de distintos tipos de anfetaminas. De esta forma, Coppi no sólo fue un gran vueltómano —cosechando cinco Giros y dos Tours—, sino que también se convirtió en un depredador de clásicas. Probablemente, Coppi sería el mejor ciclista de la historia hasta la irrupción del caníbal Merckx.
Más allá de su carrera, la obra de Fotheringham se adentra en la vida íntima de Coppi. Su matrimonio con Bruna Ciampolini y su huida con Giulia Occhini puso patas arriba los convencionalismos morales de la Italia de posguerra. De hecho, el adulterio de la pareja se saldó con sendas penas de cárcel y un lamentable espectáculo que todavía alimenta la caspa televisiva. Aquel martirio encerró más aún a un Coppi en declive a lomos de una bicicleta. No es de extrañar que fuera el único lugar donde se sintiera humano, que se convirtiera en un refugio de un mundo que lo endiosaba y satanizaba a partes iguales. Su muerte, debido a un contagio de malaria no diagnosticado, acabaría por suscitar una infinidad de teorías y leyendas infundadas sobre su persona.
Hay algo mágico en esa actividad de pedalear en los días de verano. Quizá sea un mecanismo que proyecte las esperanzas y las pasiones depositadas en una nueva carrera, en una resplandeciente oportunidad. Quizá la bicicleta trace la ilusión de que todos los caminos tienen algún final. Supongo que el pedaleo no es más que una metáfora de la vida y que todos algún día seremos descolgados del pelotón para tener que echar pie a tierra en una oscura y silenciosa cuneta. Quizá el ciclismo sea una de las formas más puras de entender nuestra existencia y, entre ellas, la de Fausto Coppi sea una de las que mayor pasión trasmita.
April 17, 2018
a very interesting read on one of the greats of the sport of cycling.
I found it fascinating and Fotheringham's writing was excellent
I found it fascinating and Fotheringham's writing was excellent
August 2, 2016
The book was well written and well researched. The story of Coppi is an interesting one with similarities to his compatriot and great rival Gino Bartali who I read about In "Road to Valor" recently but with this book being my reference point, I was disappointed at times with Fallen Angel.
Like Bartali, he grew up as a peasant and became a national icon for his exploits on a bike. Both had careers greatly effected by WW2 and both lost their brother / team mate in a crashes during their careers but this is where the comparison ends.
Bartali however was a war time hero and risked his life saving Italian Jews whereas Coppi saw very little service and caught malaria in a POW camp and the deaths of their siblings brought out different emotions; Bartali built a chapel / shrine to his and Coppi became an impossible team mate.
Bartali and Coppi often refused to ride together for most of their careers but when Bartali aged he frequently helped Coppi where as the latter destroyed young up coming team mates careers if they threatened his own (Loretto Petrucci).
Basically, I just didn't like Coppi so much! Especially after reading Road to Valor. I did however enjoy reading about his training rides, his Milan San Remo exploits and his legendary trainer but towards the end of the book I was pleased to read of his former team mates victory over him in the Giro do Lombardi (Nino de Fillipis) after his lover had given him a rude gesture!! I think that sums it up really
Like Bartali, he grew up as a peasant and became a national icon for his exploits on a bike. Both had careers greatly effected by WW2 and both lost their brother / team mate in a crashes during their careers but this is where the comparison ends.
Bartali however was a war time hero and risked his life saving Italian Jews whereas Coppi saw very little service and caught malaria in a POW camp and the deaths of their siblings brought out different emotions; Bartali built a chapel / shrine to his and Coppi became an impossible team mate.
Bartali and Coppi often refused to ride together for most of their careers but when Bartali aged he frequently helped Coppi where as the latter destroyed young up coming team mates careers if they threatened his own (Loretto Petrucci).
Basically, I just didn't like Coppi so much! Especially after reading Road to Valor. I did however enjoy reading about his training rides, his Milan San Remo exploits and his legendary trainer but towards the end of the book I was pleased to read of his former team mates victory over him in the Giro do Lombardi (Nino de Fillipis) after his lover had given him a rude gesture!! I think that sums it up really
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2009
Fotheringham - described by another writer as the monk of cycle journalism has really captured the aura that surrounds the god-like Coppi. He came at a time when the newly reformed ITALIA was recovering from the beating they took in the War. Coppi did his time in the army - and
came out with a determination to make his career a total success - making up for the years that was stolen from him due to the war.
He rose to dizzying heights - and when the rode rose up - he took flight.
But the fall was almost as fast. His affair with the Lady in White, his separation from his wife, the tragedy of the cycling death of his brother, all lead to a decline, and finally his early death - enshrined the legend.
came out with a determination to make his career a total success - making up for the years that was stolen from him due to the war.
He rose to dizzying heights - and when the rode rose up - he took flight.
But the fall was almost as fast. His affair with the Lady in White, his separation from his wife, the tragedy of the cycling death of his brother, all lead to a decline, and finally his early death - enshrined the legend.
August 29, 2012
A well researched and written story of the epic, iconic, and tragic life of Il Campionissimo. It is the enthralling story of Fausto Coppi's rise from humble beginnings to the premier sports legend of his time and father of European bike racing to his tragic, phsyical and moral decline and untimely death. His life gripped and defined the Italians of his time and his unique physical prowess and larger-than-life personality have made him a legend that lives on. Coppi's example is the epitome of mastery and dominance of a sport. A great companion to The Road to War, the history of Coppii's renown rival - Gino Bartali.
August 22, 2009
This book was interesting in its descriptions of cycling, Coppi and life in Italy in the 40s and 50s, but it often seemed like it was interesting in spite of the author, not because of him. I felt that a better writer could have made it a better book. But when I mentioned this to a fellow reader, his reply was, "You haven't read a lot of cycling biographies, have you?" And I haven't. So I am rating it on content, and how much it made me want to go to the Giro de Lombardia. And ban girlfriends from team cars. As a bonus to me, there was not only cycling but also malaria.
March 19, 2015
Also finished this ages ago. Way better than the Merckx one; maybe it's cos it all happened long enough ago for there to remain a sense of mystery and magic about the whole thing, but the thing that he tried in the Merckx biography that didn't come off, of trying to explore the inner life and motivations of the subject, really really worked really well in this one; maybe Coppi's just a way more interesting person.
August 21, 2017
It's OK. I've probably read too much already on Coppi and failed to find a new sparkle for this book. Nevertheless, it's a great account of cycling heroes' personalities and achievements. It's also a fab way to actually get inspiration for retracing historic rides and mountain passes that I so want to go riding now!
September 14, 2010
A fascinating biography of one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Well researched, balanced and insightful. Written by the same author who wrote the Tom Simpson biography. However, this should be reserved for cycling fanatics only.
May 15, 2011
You cant call yourself a cyclist until you know the story of Fausto Coppi. The greatest cyclist ever according to many. Was an interesting read, not all about his racing but plenty about Italy through the 2nd world war and how it changed during this period.
May 27, 2012
I like Fotheringham's attention to detail. This is a fascinating insight into the life of one of cycling's greats. When this author's Merckx biography comes out in paperback, I'll definitely be buying it.
June 8, 2012
Fascinating examination of the man behind the myth, and of the myth as well. I appreciated the insights into the life of cyclists of the time - the terrible conditions, the murderous slogging: but better than a life of peasant drudgery.
September 27, 2012
Every year I celebrate the tour-de-France with a cycling book. This year I chose well. Actually cycling does very well. There is an awful lot of good writing about men turning pedals. I was turning pedals while reading it (not literally) and the book got me from Larne to Omagh.
August 7, 2016
Fascinating account of the life of one of cycling's greatest heroes. His achievements on the bike were incredible and the scandal that threatened to ruin him is unbelievable to modern readers. Well written and interesting.
February 12, 2020
I obviously couldn’t wait until the Giro for some Giro-themed reading. If I want more Giro-themed reading in May, it’s going to be hard to top this one. Coppi is a legend of the sport for a reason; this book brings him to life.
May 19, 2010
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about one of my favorite cyclists, and it also gave an insight into racing in Italy & the rest of Europe after WW2.
February 8, 2011
This is an outstanding book looking at the life of Italy's most famous sportsman, cyclist Fausto Coppi. Fascinating.
April 21, 2012
Very insightful and sympathetic study of il campionissimo
October 20, 2013
a very interesting account of one of the greatest cyclists of the 20th century. I knew nothing of his personal problems, so that was enlightening. good read.
March 19, 2013
Great insight into the early days of professional cycling in Italy. Fantastic personal story of a flawed champion struck down by a hypcritical public.
October 18, 2013
Not a bad book. I tend to find sporting biographies pretty dire, so this was a refreshing read. A life fully lived !
February 10, 2015
Inspirational story of Fausto and the old legends of the tour. Takes cycling back to its basics, a story of a man versus his environment and ultimately his untimely death
January 15, 2016
The Don of cycling writing doing what he does best in bringing to life the tale of a long departed superstar. Vivid and perceptive, a tale of times a changing as much as legs a pedalling.
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