Rate this book

We Were Young And Carefree: The Autobiography Of Laurent Fignon (2009)

by Laurent Fignon(Favorite Author)

3.96 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0224083198 (ISBN13: 9780224083195)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Yellow Jersey

review 1: Laurent Fignon (and Bernard Hinault) were my cycling heroes in the 1980s. I did some local racing, and followed the professional racing scene closely. I subscribed to Velo News and Winning magazine. I haunted the foreign magazine shelves at Out Of Town News and the News Corner in Harvard Square for L'Equipe, Mirroir du Cyclisme, and Sport80, occasionally getting lucky to find something in Paris Match, the French version of People Magazine. With all that, Laurent Fignon disclosed as much in his autobiography as he did in the peak years of his cycling career, i.e., very little about his personal life. An appropriate alternate title for this book could have been Cycling Is My Life, without exaggeration. Some chapters read like a monologue, as if in some way Fignon felt compel... moreled to write this book to corroborate, define, and cement firmly the reputation to posterity he had long established with the public, the cycling community, and the media. He was driven, but most champions are. Temperamental, intensely personal, "difficult to get along with," outspoken, honest almost to a fault. Fignon spares himself the least in evaluating the decisions he made during his career and afterwards, but makes few excuses for his failures. I would have been interested to read more about his training, more direct experience during races. However, I feel this book is more of a character portrayal than any kind of grassroots autobiography. Fignon was true to himself to the end. I was very sad to hear of his tragic illness and death.
review 2: This is a fine insight to professional cycling and the mindset of a cerebral and outstanding athlete. Fignon was known as 'le Profesor' during his cycling career and was a big name in an era festooned with big names e.g. Hinault, Jalabert and Lemond.Fignon was known for his forthright views and was never scared to make them known on or off the bike his confrontational nature was admired by the cycling tifosi if not by the administrators.This is no-holds barred autobiography that will be enjoyed by all who have an interest in this elegant, savage but ultimately beautiful sport. Laurent Fignon left this world too soon but his memory will be with us forever. less

Download links for: We Were Young and Carefree: The Autobiography of Laurent Fignon

Advertising