Lance Armstrong's War

New York Times Bestseller: An "intimate, insightful, unflinching" portrait of the cyclist as he trains for—and triumphs in—the Tour de France (Jon Krakauer, New York Times–bestselling author of Into the Wild).

This is an extraordinary story of greatness pushed to its limits; a vivid, behind-the-scenes portrait of perhaps the most accomplished athlete of our time as he vies for a historic sixth straight victory in the toughest sporting event on the planet. It is the true story of a superlative sports figure fighting on all fronts—made newly vulnerable by age, fate, fame, doping allegations, a painful divorce, and an unprecedented army of challengers—while mastering the exceedingly difficult trick of being Lance Armstrong, a combination of world-class athlete, celebrity, regular guy, and, for many Americans, secular saint.


With a new afterword by the author, this updated edition features in-depth reporting on Armstrong's unprecedented seventh consecutive Tour de France victory; new blood doping allegations; his continuing personal and legal battles; and his retirement. A fascinating journey through the little-known landscape of professional bike racing, Lance Armstrong's War provides a hugely insightful look into the often inspiring, always surprising core of a remarkable athlete and the world that shapes him.


"Well-researched and entertaining . . . his reporting is, quite simply, amazing." —The New York Times

"Fueled by superb reporting and the built-in suspense of the 2004 Tour, Lance Armstrong's War is the equal of its distinguished and very complicated subject." —Booklist (starred review)


"Brisk and brilliant . . . captures the fabulous life and fast times of an international icon—and pierces the mystic heart of motivation itself." —Hampton Sides, New York Times–bestselling author of Ghost Soldiers