Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour de France

by Floyd Landis, Loren Mooney (Contributor)

A sports memoir by the American cyclist whose 2006 victory in the Tour de France was stripped due to allegations of doping sets out to clear his name and put the record straight about the accusations by furnishing irrefutable evidence to prove his innocence, in a critique of the governing bodies of cycling and the Olympics and an eye-opening look inside the world of cycling. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Cycling, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 2007

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever! After I finished reading this book I went online to see the outcome of Floyds court case and as it turns out he lied and he was doping. The entire book he professed his innocence but it was all a lie. 300 pages of lies! Shame on you Floyd Landis, you make me sick.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boy, did I get suckered by Mr. Landis. I just read Tyler Hamilton’s new tell-all tale of bike racing madness. In it, Hamilton praised Landis as a salt-of-the-earth honest-as-the-day-is-long guy who was raised Mennonite in rural Pennsylvania. It was a compelling story of rampant cheating in the pro cycling world through doping and transfusions. So I decided to check out Landis’ tome to get his side of his Tour de France doping debacle.

Landis comes off as this aw-shucks hard working man who absolutely was innocent of testosterone doping charges in the 2006 Tour. Most of the book is a vociferous diatribe about the evils of the world and US doping agencies tasked with catching the cheaters. He casts a compelling tale of the Little Guy being wronged by the evil Empires Of Authority. He details instance after instance of poor management and downright incompetence of the agencies, especially the French lab that did his tests. Landis highlights many instances of unfairness, many of which are no doubt true. He brought tears to my eyes with stories of all of the people helping him in his quest to fight off this horrible injustice put upon him. Landis finishes the book with a plea to start a union for cyclists so they can better represent themselves in the good fight of clean competition. I was ready to give this book four or five stars. The book ends while he is awaiting the verdict of his appeal.

When I finished the book, I raced to Wikipedia to find out how this feel-good story ends with our hero exonerated and apologies all around. What I find out is that all of his appeals were denied and he had to serve out his suspension. Oh, I also learned that in 2010 he admitted to doping the whole time. What?!?! I wasted a week of my life actually sympathizing with this maroon? The man is a charlatan. Do not feel sorry for Floyd Landis. And do not read this book full of lies.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

How did a man brought up as a Mennonite become a foul mouthed materialistic cyclist who cheated? You won't find the answer here, just excuses, and a revisionist attitude towards his upbringing.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

He's innocent. He's guilty. No matter what you think, this book is an eye opening read. Landis presents a strong case on why the current system needs a complete overhaul. The information on USADA was especially interesting. I don't think we'll ever truly find out if he did it or not, but after reading his account, I do believe things need to change.

EDIT 05/24/10 - Well, what do you know. He confessed. Now I have no problem with the allegations against Lance (hell, entire countries are trying to prove if he's a doper). My biggest problem is all the other names he casually dropped into the mix, including Hincapie and Zabriskie (who I always felt were top notch). I have no idea what the fallout will be after all this, but I am re-reading his book now with a skeptic's eye. USADA did go through an overhaul as I thought from above, but now all this stuff Floyd is just spewing out. Sounds bitter and jealous. He's turning things into a witchhunt. This book is now a one star because I can't separate my personal feelings over the whole thing.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, interesting read telling the story of 2006 Tour de France winner, Floyd Landis. It was quite eye opening regarding the practices of the World Anti Doping Association (WADA) and US Anti Doping Agency (USADA), both of which operate completely on their own. They answer to no one and have no system of checks and balances to see that justice is actually carried out for athletes that they accuse of cheating.

I'm on Floyd's side. I believe the evidence is in his favor. I hope he can clear his name and help make changes in the flawed system that currently exists. Good luck, Floyd!

[Daeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

reading this is honestly so funny because landis admitted to doping almost 10 years ago
THE ONLY THING FUNNIER IS ALL THE REVIEWERS WHO DIDNT KNOW HE WAS GUILTY GOING IN AND THEN FOUND OUT THAT HE ADMITTED TO DOPING AND NOW ARE GIVING THE BOOK 1 OR 2 STARS I AM SITTING HERE CACKLING

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

well written and descriptive...whether you believe him or not

[Andrew Carberry · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is fiction now that he's admitted to doping, but it was interesting to read about how he got into cycling growing up.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an avid follower of the literature on Lance Armstrong and his battle to prove that doping never played a role in his Tour de France vitories. While reading "Lance Armstrong's War" by Daniel Coyle, I was formally introduced to the character of Floyd Landis and instantly found common ground in his early passion for mountain biking. Equally fascinating was his Mennonite upbringing in Pennsylvania and his struggle to become part of the larger world while still respecting his background and his folks.

Needless to say, I ran out and found, "Positively False" at my university library and worked through its pages relatively quickly. I've watched several speeches given by Floyd Landis on 'youtube' and the truth is that he is not a great speaker--plain and simple. But, regardless, I have my doubts that a guy like this would dope to win a bicycle race. The book was slow in parts but really picked up in the final chapter, "Making it Right". For the first time I finally sensed some fire in his desire to hold others accountable for the hardships that he has had to endure because of this whole ordeal. More importantly he mated that fire with some pretty solid evidence against the anti-doping agencies and their procedures with his samples. The Appendix by Arnie Baker was the most crucial piece of the book and I was thoroughly impressed with Baker's drive and determination over an extended period of time to critique and interpret the documents provided by the USADA.

Personally, it sounds like the guy definitely got shafted and it is pretty incredible that he had the nuts to spend his time, effort and money to defend himself the way in which he did. And the most impressive part that stood out in my opinion was the loyalty and willingness of his friends to drop everything in their lives and take up his cause--that speaks to character and further weakens any thought that this is an immoral or ethically substandard man.

If you are interesting in cycling and the continuing dramas of doping in the sport, this is a great read from a determined man. Guilty or not, Floyd fought the charge with a champions effort and I personally feel he probably got shafted with the whole deal.

[Raymond · Rating 2 out of 5]

First half was cool. But it got hard to read after. He basically wrote the book claiming his innocence. Years later he admits to doping the whole time. Tbh idc about doping, but it’s crazy to think that someone will write an entire book about how they never did PEDs, while doing PEDs the whole time.

I really liked Tyler Hamilton’s book and would recommend that to anyone interested in the doping side of cycling.

[James Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh I’m so conflicted about this book - nearly 3/4 is an interesting wander through Floyd’s life and then comes the deceit. Knowing what we think we know now, I was amazed how well crafted the argument was - would love it if Landis went back and explained how much he believed - how much those around him believed. Sad the book ended the way it did - guess it’s one to file alongside It’s Not About the Bike

[Andrew Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember watching state 16 when Floyd cracked. The next morning I didn't feel like watching the Tour so I went for a ride. When I came home my wife, who never watches cycling, was glued to the tv because of the miraculous solo effort by Floyd on stage 17. Should have see the writing on the wall that he was really doping. Good story on Floyd's early life but kind of wouldn't waste my time on the second half since it is a lie.

[Luke Krizner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 1-9 are fantastic. I recommend closing the book after that. His upbringing through his Tour de France win are incredibly inspiring. After that, he does nothing but make excuses for the positive test. Just a few years after this book came out, he admitted to doping. This contradicts the entire premise of this book.

[Kalle Wescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read /Positively False: The Real Story of How I Won the Tour de France/, by Floyd Landis:

https://www.roadbikerider.com/positiv...

Landis would have been more believable if I didn't know the results of his doping tests already...

[Reid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Five stars for convincing me he was innocent! I told all my friends about his unjust persecution. Deduct four stars for lying through the entire book! He admitted it 3 years later.

[Milo Kahney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most random book I’ve read in a while

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it, even years after the fact. Each account of that time period is just a little bit different; the books written by Lance himself (well, his ghost writer, I suppose), Tyler Hamilton's book as well as George Hincapie's and others.

We know what happened and what was decided. But the way it unfolded is just fascinating to me!

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading several of Lance Armstrong's books around the 2004-2006 period. It was really interesting in Floyd's perspective when he was on Lance's Discovery team and doing the same Tour De Frances.

I enjoyed learning about the training and experiences of the professional bike riding plus the Tour De Frances.

Going into this book already knowing that Floyd confessed a few years ago to cheating, lying and performance enhancement use it was really sad to keep reading about all of these people he lied to including his Mom, family and close friends. At some points it was just painful of the lying he did. And all of these supporters and money raised to defend him. I do know now that the courts have demended that he make restituion with these people and pay them back OR he will be going to prison.

While you read the book you really believe he is a good guy and very straight up - now I wonder how much of it is true? I guess we will never know. I wonder now how he is able to live with himself in the eyes of his family, children etc.. Not sure what he is doing now but keep owning up to the cheating and maybe turn his life around and try to be a positive role model some how. Speaking to kids on the dangers of performance enhancements. etc...

[Richard Graveling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been inspiring (depending on your perception of the sport) when it was newly out. Anybody who knew anything about professional cycling would have smelt a rat but might have been in denial and had that bit of hope that he was different.

Reading it recently it is so obvious; the times and herculean efforts could only have been fuelled by testosterone and EPO, etc. Such a good liar, not sure how his family relationships are now this has all unravelled as he made such a play on honesty and integrity (linked to his traditional religious upbringing); a sequel updating us on this would be fascinating.

Overall a fairy tale really - very little of it is real. A bit like Armstrong, I controversially have a grain of sympathy; not for the lying and cheating but the fact that, because they won stuff, they have been made out to be the only ones. They were all at it - and the UCI has a lot to answer to.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting look at the world of professional cycling and the Tour de France in particular. Landis tells us about his Mennonite upbringing (didn't know that!) and how he got into pro cycling. The bulk of the book, of course, deals with the Tour and with the allegations of doping that ultimately stripped him of the win. Based on what Landis says and the evidence put forth, it's hard to believe he got a fair deal or that he was guilty. However, the book was interesting, with an amount of the Tour that I'm not sure I'm okay with. I felt like I didn't get enough information about what it's like throughout the Tour, but then I think that if we had gotten any more, it would have gotten tedious to those who are not big on cycling. Still, the fact that he won the Tour with basically a broken hip is incredibly impressive.

[Marlene M Penner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I'm related to Floyd (okay, he's like my third cousin and I've never met the guy but it's still kind of cool to say I'm related to him). I learned a lot about the world of cycling. I also learned that you have to have a certain attitude to get far in cycling. Floyd's positive doping test is unfortunate and I feel for him and his family for having to go through such an ordeal. I can't imagine the amount of energy Floyd and his team used to fight the positive test result.

[Sharilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read novels, and I'm not really a big fan of cycling. However, I read this book at a time when I had also been 'falsely accused' and that made the book very meaningful to me.

Overall I enjoyed the book very much and highly recommend it. While it isn't one I would read again (just because once you've read it, you've read it), I'm glad that I read it when I did. It was a healing experience for me.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big cycling dork, so I loved this book. Especially because I watch the Tour every year and was intrigued by Floyd and his performance. This is of course his bias of the situation, but gives a lot of his history and lots of background info about what happened. My wonderful boyfriend bought this for me while I was in the hospital, which is also when the Tour started.

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always believed that Floyd Landis was innocent of all the doping charges against him. He states that what you see is what you get with him - and that's the feeling I've had since I started following him when he rode with Lance Armstrong.

After reading his book, I feel the same way. He's innocent and WADA and USADA have a lot to answer for.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

[After the fact update:] Really enjoyed the book when it came out. Now, of course, we know that the book is a fraud, a great big lie, which is a real shame. Funny that Floyd sued Lance (through the False Claims Act, as a qui tam relator), but nobody's suing Floyd for pedaling (no pun intended) a positively false yarn as non-fiction.

[Jack B · Rating 2 out of 5]

A riveting tale; the story of a true American tragedy. After reading this book twice, with a very critical eye, I still think that Landis did not cheat in the 2006 Tour de France. [6.1.2010:] Updating my review to reflect the fact that apparently much of this book is fiction. Floyd, you've been a bad boy.

[Janet Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was weird reading about Floyd's claim to innocence at the same time he was pleading guilty in public. Still I found him to be a sympathetic person and an example for the pressures of pro sports and the price of success. In my book, he's a winner of the Tour de France, just like all the others who doped but didn't get stripped of their title.

[Trinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, I had a hard time rating this book. The first 3/4 of the book I really enjoyed reading. It was interesting learning about his childhood and the Tour de France. The last part was almost unnerving to read knowing he was lying. He came out in 2010 admitting to doping (book published in 2007), but in the book he was such a good lyier I would have believed him.

[Ryan Hulce · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a cyclist. I felt strongly that Floyd was innocent. I bought this book and bought his story, hook line and sinker. Unfortunately after this book came out he announced he lied and did dope. Before that news came out, I would have rated this book with four stars, but knowing that it is all a lie, I cannot give it anything more than one star.

[Bob Peru · Rating 3 out of 5]

aiight floyd--whatcha got to say for yerself? huh? ya got a huge sack is that what yer sayin'? that's where all yer man juice came from in stage 17? ya sure?

the jury's still out fer me. but that li'l sex trick he pulled on greg lemond was low. but i'd drink beer wif floyd fo' sho'!!!