The Tour de France cover art

The Tour de France

A Cultural History

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The Tour de France

Written by: Christopher S. Thompson
Narrated by: Kevin Scollin
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In this highly original history of the world's most famous bicycle race, Christopher S. Thompson, mining previously neglected sources and writing with infectious enthusiasm for his subject, tells the compelling story of the Tour de France from its creation in 1903 to the present. Weaving the words of racers, politicians, Tour organizers, and a host of other commentators together with a wide-ranging analysis of the culture surrounding the event—including posters, songs, novels, films, and media coverage—Thompson links the history of the Tour to key moments and themes in French history. Examining the enduring popularity of Tour racers, Thompson explores how their public images have changed over the past century. A new preface explores the long-standing problem of doping in light of recent scandals.

©2006 The Regents of the University of California (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Cycling Europe France History of Sports Imperialism Sports Racing
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The sweeping narrative is great, but if you have even a passing smattering of French, then you'll probably find the hopeless narration terribly grating. "Le Vélo" is "Le VEELO," "Paris-Roubaix" is "Paree-Roobow," "Fin de siécle" rhymes with icicle, etc.

Is it too much to ask that someone whose job it is to pronounce French words, do so correctly? Just a thought.

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