My Secret Paris

5 Responses to “Paris-Roubaix: A Journey Through Hell”

1. Easy Rider Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 11:39 pm

   The Photos in this book are amazing, but quite often the writers go off into long-winded and whimsical tales (no explanation as to whether they are based on factual events) for the first half of the book. After they have settled down, or the hand of writing has changed, the book becomes more about telling you of the route (still a little shady) and about the best riders of the event – where this book excels. Not an amazing read, but the pictures make up for that…
   Rating: 3 / 5

2. magdalene42 Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 1:10 am

   Superb book on the world’s most excruciating one-day bike race; a French classic which unto this day continues to make a virtue out of the erstwhile necessity of some of the industrialized world’s most appalling road surfaces.
   
   Nowadays there’s pretty much no reason for any even of the most minor French back-roads to be paved with cobbles … except that there *is*, and the Paris-Roubaix is it! So deeply French, so embroiled in the culture of that country is this race, that nowadays local and even national government provides funds to restore and preserve, rather than pragmatically tarmac over, the lumpy cobbles of the traditional parcours. Some of the greatest bike riders in the world have won this event; others have fallen spectacularly by the wayside, as exemplified most recently by George Hincapie, whose handlebars simply gave way under the strain a few years back. Yet top-ranked elite cyclists still queue up to take part, just because of the kudos attached to winning – or even to finishing – this Queen of the Classics.
   
   This is a beautiful and deeply French account of the history of the Paris-Roubaix, complete with hyperbolic language and sensual imagery rendered faithfully into English without regard for the not-entirely-coincident aesthetics of us Brits. However, had some barbarian attempted to ‘anglicize’ this volume, it would have emerged far the poorer. The French sensibiliity is essential to the full appreciation of this extreme sporting event; and I would suggest that if you can’t deal with this, you choose to read something else. Paris-Roubaix is a bike race like no other, and this book is a wholly fitting and appropriate tribute.
   
   And yes – the photographs are nothing short of fabulous. If you are at all a fan of bike racing, and of the Spring Classics in particular, you NEED this book.
   
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Isabella Thompson Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 2:09 am

   Awesome book. A must have for any cycling enthusiast. Photo’s and history of the race are superb.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. Mr. C. S. Blake Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 2:55 am

   Along with great photos this book actually gives an insightful view on the Classic Race. I wasn’t expecting as much writing as there is but this only adds to the draw of this book. You can quite easily dip in and out of this book which you would probably expect to be able to do from such a large (photo driven) book.
   
   On the whole I really enjoyed reading about the race, the riders that have dominated the race and the weird and wonderful things this race has thrown up.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book and I don’t find the price too much of a sticking point. Maybe one negative is the use of ‘granny’ in a couple of photo explanations which somehow devalues the quality of the book. Bit odd but that’s probably the French humour (or me misunderstanding the French!).
   
   In summary, superb photos and writing in a well produced classy book.
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. Mr. M. M. Bosano Says:
   February 12th, 2010 at 3:32 am

   I was given this book for Christmas and have to say that it is a fantastic book. Great writing and great photography really bring the history of this race to life.

   This is a great book and any cycling fan would love this for their collection or coffee table!
   Rating: 5 / 5

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