Flying Scotsman: The Graeme Obree Story
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Review
Hard-hitting and brutally honest. --Cycling Weekly
This is a book that must have taken great courage to write, is a harrowing reminder of how little the public know about sportsmen, no matter how brightly the spotlight shines on them --The Guardian
This is one of the best and moving sports books I have read --Alastair Campbell, The Times
This is a book that must have taken great courage to write, is a harrowing reminder of how little the public know about sportsmen, no matter how brightly the spotlight shines on them --The Guardian
This is one of the best and moving sports books I have read --Alastair Campbell, The Times
Product Description
"Deeply moving. His determination and single-mindedness was and still is a true inspiration to me". (Sir Chris Hoy). "This is a book that must have taken great courage to write, is a harrowing reminder of how little the public know about sportsmen, no matter how brightly the spotlight shines on them." (The Guardian Number 10 in Cycle Sport's Best 50 Cycling Books of All Time). It includes a foreword by Sir Chris Hoy. Graeme Obree's story begins with a tough upbringing in the Ayrshire valleys, where he found his escape by taking to the roads on his bike. He would emerge from total obscurity to smash Francesco Moser's World Hour Record, controversy hard at his heels for his unique riding style and pioneering construction techniques - famously using parts from a washing machine to build his bike, 'Old Faithful'. But amidst the record attempts, media feeding frenzy and thrilling head-to-head duels with Chris Boardman, Graeme was fighting another battle. With searing honesty, he recounts his biggest battle against depression which drove him to attempt suicide.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Graeme Obree's motivation to achieve the cycling one-hour world record must make him unique. His childhood left him feeling worthless, an emotion that has dogged him throughout his life as his personal barometer swings from high to low and back with alarming consequences. On high, he undertakes training schedules few could match, and combines his athleticism with an insight into bicycle design which is sensational, given that the machine has remain vitually unchanged for 100 years.
On low, he attempts sucicide, conflicts with those closest to him who are trying to help, and drinks to forget.
Reading this candid autobiography is compulsive, you just can't put it down. As you finish the last page you hope that the tide has turned, and the Obree family will live happily ever after. If you buy this book you will be helping to ensure that they do.
John Richards
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Graeme Obree delivers exactly what you'd expect from a man who broke the cycling mould; an autobiography that breaks the well set mould of sporting biographies which too often seem to be ghost written half truths containing snipes at past colleagues and competitors. None of that in this book. Quite simply, Graeme Obree just tells his life as it has been. The bad times aren't accompanied by finger pointing, apportioning of blame or bitterness and the good times are reported with the modesty of a true sportsman. In my view, the greatest strength of this book lies in the absence of the author trying to influence the reader's emotions and opinions. He just gives you the facts of his astonishing life and you react. This book richly deserves the widespread acclaim and success of Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike".
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
At times appallingly honest, Obree's book is fascinating. How can anyone design, train and ride a bike into the record books? Obree is a one-off who not only proved all the sceptics wrong, but made cycling's ruling body invent rules just for him! As a personal history, a self-examination into his own soul, this book stands alone.
Thank you Graeme, and my best wishes for the future.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of my greatest cycling heroes.
O`Bree is such a hero of mine. Despite the all the odds, difficulties, UCI ganging up on him, successful athletes and personalities pulling the carpet away from under his feet,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Orlando M. Shorter
Didn't live up to the hype
I had high expectations for this book having seen all the reviews, but I was pretty bored by the time I'd got halfway through it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by The D Man
Brilliant book, Genius of a man
Bought this as a holiday read about 2 weeks before leaving and once I read the first few pages I knew I was going to 'enjoy' this mans life story and would be unable to put it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by KeithB
Awesome
This is one of the best books I have read this year. A revealing and sometimes harrrowing tale of a very gifted man and his struggle with his inner demons. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by A. Cuckson
Duplicate Product to Flying Scotsman: Cycling to Triumph Through My...
This is an excellent book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about Graeme's challenges and triumphs. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by Fiona
Great read
Great book , really kept me from start to finish , even the chilhood stuff.
It was amazing to find out what made him tick , although I'd say even he still doesn't know . Read more
It was amazing to find out what made him tick , although I'd say even he still doesn't know . Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2009 by Mark Kearns
Obree's amazing story
This is the remarkable story of a boy, marginalised by bullies & bad teachers in his early life, who rose to become one of the greatest track & time trial cyclists these islands... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Mr. Paul A. Totham
An autobiography very much worth reading
'When it came to physical violence...Being kicked about the head was so different from being kicked about the body... Read more
Published on 29 May 2008 by M Tyers
Best cycling book I have read
Had this book for a few months and finally got around to reading it. Wish I had started sooner as in no time I was finished as it is such a captivating read. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2008 by JD
Bit disappointed by the writing, but still an interesting read
Graeme isn't the best writer, and the book gets a bit tedious at times. But what he lacks as an author, he more than makes up for as a cyclist. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2008 by buckminsterfullerene
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