Start reading We Were Young and Carefree on your Kindle in under a minute. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

 
 
 

Try it free

Sample the beginning of this book for free

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Read books on your computer or other mobile devices with our FREE Kindle Reading Apps.
We Were Young and Carefree
 
 
Share your own customer images

We Were Young and Carefree [Kindle Edition]

Laurent Fignon (Author), William Fotheringham (Translator)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews) |
Digital List Price: £11.64 What's this?
Print List Price: £12.99
Kindle Price: £8.09 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: £4.90 (38%)
Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £8.09   -- --
Paperback £9.09   -- --
From mountain bikes to cycle computers, find 1000s of products in our bikes store.

Product Description

Review

'you owe it to your bookcase to fill one of those blank slots with this volume'
--thewashingmachinepost.net

"a revealing account of friendships, rivalries and doping scandals from one of the giants of modern cycling" --Cycling Weekly

"the insouciant charm with which he tells his tale makes the book a delight to read" --Podium Cafe

"a fine account of a sparkling career in the saddle"
--Sunday Business Post

`A fine account of a professional sport on the verge of fundamental change'
--TLS

`a fine account of a professional sport on the verge of fundamental change.'
--TLS

"The most poignant sports book of the year" -- Metro

"a gripping insight into an unrelenting hard world" --Independent

This book is both a poignant farewell and as well as a rare glimpse of Fignon and his world in his own words --London Cyclist

Book Description

The international bestelling autobiography of twice-Tour-de-France-winner Laurent Fignon, one of the greatest and most charismatic cyclists of all time
See all Product Description

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 411 KB
  • Print Length: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage Digital (16 Jun 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B003SNJYQ2
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #18,624 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

    •  Would you like to give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Laurent Fignon
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Laurent Fignon Page

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

› Explore similar items

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
 
(3)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
The real Fignon 2 July 2010
Format:Paperback
Saw that this book had come out in French language last year, and was very happy to see that an English version was coming this year.
I am half way through this book now, and will be sad when I come to the end, as it is such a fantastic read. I feel that because the press were not so keen in Fignon, and likewise with his realationship with the press, there was not alot true or positive said about him and if so it was normally negative.
It is Fignon that has written this book, and it is written from the heart giving you a fantastic insight into this man, his fantastic career and the riders around him like for example Lemond and Hinault, who have also both written books about the careers. And because these 3 riders clashed now and again, it is funny to get each ones perspective on the given situations.
If you are passionate about cycle sport, this is essential reading.
Was this review helpful to you?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A Keeper 5 Feb 2011
By jaycee2
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If I could describe this book in one word, I'd say it was 'fearless'. And when you think how Laurent Fignon rode during his pro career, it's not too far away from that...

I had a few pre-conceived ideas prior to reading this book; some from what i already knew and others from general reading, chat etc. and so was intrigued to find out more about such an enigmatic character.

This book is a very detailed account of Laurent Fignons pro-cycling career and the intracacies contained therein, describing his time in the peloton as 'a golden age' when pro-bike riders were 'winners' rather than the 'earners' of today. (Couldn't agree more with that sentiment, as it goes).

He doesn't give much away about his private life (only found out he was married half way through the book) but for me, that in no way detracts from the books' essential content. It's written with great passion about life in the pro peloton and the tactical nous needed to succeed-describing some races as "guerilla warfare" and writing of "going into battle". This for me was the highlight of the book; to have that level of insider knowledge and insight was just great and I loved that about it.

Those eight seconds; it was very very interesting to get his take on that momentous event...

Another element of this book I liked is the way in which Laurent Fignon shares with the reader his take (as well as his respect)of other big players / riders of the day; Hinault, Kelly etc etc and from that, we get to know more about those riders also.

Doping is discussed, but not in any great depth-I had the feeling that whatever it was Monsieur Fignon took in his day,there was a line he wouldn't cross, believably appearing horrified as to how doping seems to have progressed in more recent times.

I did wonder as to why he didn't include any photos-would have liked to have seen a few-and as well, why no palmares?

Over the years, I've read a lot of pro-cycling literature-this is the only one on immediately after finishing reading,I went to the front and started to re-read. Normally, i'll give away books I've read, but not this one-I'm keepin it! :)

Such a shame there won't be any more-i had the feeling there's a good few other books this guy could have written, particularly on pro-cycling of today.

A thoroughly absorbing and enjoyable read-R.I.P Monsieur (Twice TDF winner) Fignon...
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Salute le Professeur 28 Jan 2011
By Terry D
Format:Paperback
I bought this book as I was interested to learn more of a truly great champion of a lost age of cycling. True to his character Fignon's writing style doesn't 'beat about the bush' and for me that was the attraction of hearing his story. I loved the fact that he seems to have layed down in this book his career for all to see, without his team/manager/publicist etc reigning in his forthright views. He recognised that the sport of cycling has changed and the nature of cycling's victories have changed. I'd advise any cycling fans to read this book to learn not only of Fignon's exploits but also to gain a better understanding of what many consider a golden age of cycling that is gone but should not be forgotten.
Highly recommended!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Chapeau!
picked this book up whilst early on in my cycling journey, and now 20 books later I still believe this is one of the best. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Snow Bear
Laurent Fignon Autobiography
This is a "must read"for anybody interested in Cycling, Sports & Tdf .Brilliantly written and an easy, enjoyable read. Goes very well in revealing 1980 sport . Read more
Published 5 months ago by Patrick
A book much more than just about eight seconds
Fignon's autobiography "We were Young and Carefree" tells the tale of a rider who straddled the era of more casual drug use in the sport and the recent rampant EPO era. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Macdara
Very interesting book
Laurent was a giant on the road. His book fills in a lot gaps that I had not known about. Well worth reading.
Published 5 months ago by Michael Czarnecki
Bit of a let down
I was really looking forward to reading this book as Fignon was one of my favourite cyclists during the 80's and 90's. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Roberto
We Were Young and Carefree
Fab buy it if you can. I grew up watching the man on telly for half an hour a night in July. It is good to here how he was in real life. So sad he is no longer around.
Published 8 months ago by Badger but not the badger.
So far so good
Not quite finished the book but I am enjoying it so far. Charismatic and honest , such a shame he was taken so young. RIP Monsieur.
Published 10 months ago by The Bobster
A reminder of a great Cyclist
Could not put this book down. A tremendous read from a passionate and brilliant cyclist who left us too soon. Read more
Published 10 months ago by CrazyFrog64
"No, monsieur, I am the Man Who Won the Tour Twice"
Irrespective of the 1989 Tour, alongside Robert Millar, Fignon was my favourite cyclist from that era. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sibby the Cat
we were and carefree;the autobiography of laurent fignon
what a fantastic book,if you like bike racing you must buy this book,what a shame laurent is no longer here.
Published 11 months ago by mayo mick
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Popular Highlights

 (What's this?)
&quote;
Cycling is a way for men to find themselves and show what they are worth. It exposes their weaknesses and their hidden value and it allows huge appetites to be indulged. It is nothing to do with glory: its more a matter of fulfilment. Cycling allows us to mine the deepest recesses of our souls. &quote;
Highlighted by 34 Kindle users
&quote;
And that is the magic of cycling: the simple forward motion from the power in your legs treats you to great bursts of freedom. Your legs and nothing more. Thats the little miracle that is the bike, where man and machine conjoin. Its a unique invention. The fusion of a man with himself. &quote;
Highlighted by 30 Kindle users
&quote;
Isnt it better to gamble on victory than to secure a comfortable defeat? &quote;
Highlighted by 24 Kindle users

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject










i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. GB Privacy Statement Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. GB Delivery Information Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. GB Returns & Exchanges