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Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike Paperback – 15 April 2013

by William Fotheringham (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 818 ratings
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The Sunday Times Number One bestselling biography of Eddy Merckx, the greatest cyclist of all time, by William Fotheringham, Britain's top cycling writer.

THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLER

What makes a man the greatest of all time? Eddy Merckx is to cycling what Muhammad Ali is to boxing or Pele to football- quite simply, the best there has ever been.

Merckx was a machine. It wasn't just the number of victories (445); it was his remorseless domination that created the legend. He didn't just beat his opponents, he crushed them. But his triumphs only tell half a story that includes horrific injury, a doping controversy and tragedy. He was nicknamed 'The Cannibal' for his insatiable appetite for victory, but the moniker did scant justice to a man who was handsome, sensitive and surprisingly anxious. Britain's leading cycling writer, William Fotheringham, goes back to speak to those who were there at the time and those who knew Merckx best to find out what made Eddy Merckx so invincible.

'The full unvarnished of one man's heaven, and hell, on wheels' Independent
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    JONATHAN CAPE & BH - TRADE
  4. Publication date
    15 April 2013
  5. Dimensions
    12.83 x 2.18 x 19.76 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0224074512
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0224074513
  8. See all details
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Review

Merckx - a natural champion who regularly rode himself and others into agony and glory - is a fine choice for a writer of Fotheringham's skill and cycling knowledge... A fascinating, often bleak portrait of remarkable athlete and an unnerving man. -- Brian Schofield ― Sunday Times

A fine portrait of obsession ― Financial Times

Remarkable and impressive … everything you want to know about Merckx and more. -- Richard Abraham ― Cycling Weekly

The Cantona or Muhammad Ali of cycling, this Belgian’s story is amazing – and it’s told by one of the greatest cycling reporters around... Top Notch ― Loaded

The full unvarnished of one man’s heaven, and hell, on wheels. ― i, Independent

Book Description

The Sunday Times Number One bestselling biography of Eddy Merckx, the greatest cyclist of all time, by William Fotheringham, Britain's top cycling writer.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ JONATHAN CAPE & BH - TRADE; 1st edition (15 April 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0224074512
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0224074513
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.83 x 2.18 x 19.76 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 818 ratings

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William Fotheringham

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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
818 global ratings

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Top review from Australia

Martin D
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, terrible address label
Reviewed in Australia on 8 December 2021
Verified Purchase
I'm sure I'll enjoy the book, but I was really lucky to get it at all!
The address label was so badly printed that the first digit of my house number was completely missing from the Australia Post label.
Fortunately the postie knew our correct house number.
I'll be happy to provide a photo of the label in private feedback.
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Top reviews from other countries

Always DIY
5.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating biography
Reviewed in the United States on 12 April 2023
Verified Purchase
"Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx" is a fascinating biography of one of the greatest cyclists of all time. The book is written by William Fotheringham, a well-known cycling journalist and author, who provides a detailed account of Merckx's life, career, and achievements.

What I appreciate most about this book is the way it portrays Merckx's life as more than just his cycling career. The book delves deep into his personal life, childhood, and upbringing, which helps to paint a complete picture of the man behind the bike. I was particularly interested in learning about the challenges Merckx faced throughout his life and career, including his struggles with injuries and controversies.

The book is well-researched and provides a comprehensive overview of Merckx's career, including his numerous victories, records, and the challenges he faced along the way. Fotheringham's writing style is engaging and compelling, and he does an excellent job of bringing Merckx's story to life.
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Pakamac
5.0 out of 5 stars I did not request a refund!!!
Reviewed in Canada on 14 August 2022
Verified Purchase
Great book, well-written. It highlights Merckx' single-mindedness and sharp focus. Very like Beryl Burton.
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christopher luff
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for cycling lovers
Reviewed in France on 29 July 2019
Verified Purchase
I was 22 and living in Belgium in 1969 when Eddy Merckx won his first Tour and became the best-known Belgium after King Beaudoin (later he overtook the King !)
This book is very well documented and if you are a cycling expert you can easily follow, recollect and even learn things about Merckx and his reign even though I thought I knew practically all about it??
I also enjoyed the non-translated "Bruxellaire" words and phrases and the historic background of the Flemish/Walloon antagonism which shaped the cycling world at that time.
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M. Belcher
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book but important omission
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 May 2012
Verified Purchase
Another great cycling book from Fotheringham. He seems to have a real knack for bringing cyclists from the past to life and putting some of the excitment of the cares from years back into his texts. I found it a real page turner and read it in less than a week. I really needed to find out the next stage of the story, how the race was won, etc. It certainly made me seek out some of the film and video footage from the races covered. I found the text from Fotheringham much more exciting than any of the film though, which whilst says something about 1970s cycle filming techniques its more a reflection on the writing abilities of the author.

There is one problem with this book that, how big a problem I'm not really sure and unless one reads French or Flemish, then its unlikely to be possible to tell. The problem is that the book doesn't really have much in the way of interviews with Merckx himself. Sure there are some quotes, stories and such from old interviews between him and the author and of course there is lots of historical sources and interviews with contempories but there did seem to be a noticeable omission of direct interviews with the main man himself. Not sure why that might be, I can only infer that he actively did not want to be involved, which is a shame, as I am sure it would have added something.

Its still an excellent book though and considering the lack of alternative English language books on Merckx, then its required reading. Highly recommended.
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Bill P.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Canada on 22 July 2020
Verified Purchase
Lots of insight into the greatest cyclist ever. Various views of the man as seen by those who rode with him and against him
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