Etape: 20 Great Stages from the Modern Tour de France Paperback – June 25, 2014

Great book that describes some of the most defining stages of the Tour de France. Mr. Moore paints a wonderful backstory, tells what happens during the stage good, and then kind of does a where are they now segment at the end, but that usually is about 1-2 pages at most. Really good book for a cycling enthusiast, as there is a lot of lingo and talks about a lot of smaller races that a true cycling fan would know but for someone like myself who casually checks the standings at the end of July, would not. Book was fine overall though. Great prose, and flowed throughout the entire book. I would pick up if you are into cycling and not someone who is new or doesn't know much about it.

Richard Moore is a fine cycling writer. Previously I had read Slaying the Badger, about Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault, and Tour de France 100, a photographic history of the Tour, both by the same author. Etape is a compilation of memorable, though not necessarily well known, stages of the Tour. Moore's writing, as always, is crisp, and his eye for detail shows the work of a real veteran journalist of the sport. Etape need not be read in a linear manner. I've skipped around quite a bit and enjoyed all the chapters. I have found this to be a perfect travel/airplane book. I think this will be a volume in my cycling library that I keep coming back to. If you love the sport, you'll love the episodes recounted herein. And even if you're familiar with some of the stages, many of the juicier details will be new.

I'm a big fan of Moore's "Slaying the Badger," and this book was excellent, as well: the thoughtful interviews with the racers give an immediacy to the stages that is compelling. From the glorious, in-your-face humanity of Mark Cavendish, to the profane defiance of Lance Armstrong, to the bemused, elder-statesman wisdom of Greg LeMond, the book does a fantastic job of going beyond the Peloton (and, in one of the best chapters, the Gruppetto) to the fascinating psychology of the riders, individually and collectively. Perfect book to have open and to enjoy while watching the slower moments of a transitional stage on TV and waiting for the sprint trains to form up!

GREAT read! Real insights into classic TDF stages and more importantly, the minds of the riders themselves. The author blends the raw facts and narratives of the races with the recollections of the racers and directors that makes for compelling reading. His years of experience covering professional bike racing not only results in the riders more willingly opening up to him during interviews, but allows him to add meaningful analysis to the stories. If you are a bike racing fan, buy, borrow or steal this book---it will reaffirm your belief that bike racing is a reflection of life itself and the greatest competitive sport in the world.

A great read for even non cycling fans. Gets down to the nitty gritty of the pain these men go through in this crazy sport. Also gives clearer insight of the personalities behind these athletes.

good read, wish it was 200 great stages from the tour

Enjoyed reading this book. The insight to the personalities of the various racers made for an interesting read.Richard Moore knows and writes quite well about the subject of bicycle races and the cyclists taking part in the pro peleton.

Very well done piece of story telling. Author has personalized the stories of the participants in various stages of the TdF in unique style. Listen to Richard Moore's cycling podcasts and read "Etape" or "Slaying the Badger". Roger is so good at both the written and spoken word, the reader can almost hear the inflection in his voice while reading the book.

Few books i find myself looking to see how many pages are left to read, as id be gutted when i finish it. This is one of them - just wanted it to go on and on - a great read.Each chapter describes a stage of the tour, by interviewing those involved and providing some great insights into how it played out.Would love to read more stories - how about another book please Richard ?

A really easy, enjoyable and interesting read. I have followed the Tour avidly for the last 5 years and felt I head a handle on it but the chapters in this book, while dealing with various individual stages, clarified and broadened my understanding of less well known aspects, such as the "Grupetto", appreciably and put flesh on the bones of many greats, many of whom I knew very little about. At the same time, Richard Moore revealed the failings and weaknesses of the big names while elevating the little known domestiques to new levels in my eyes. Perhaps dyed in the wool cycling enthusiasts know all the stories and characters involved and would think it a bit "light" but I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who has even a little knowledge about cycling or has an interest in finding out more about it.

What a great idea, the story of the Tour told through hand picked stages from different eras. The characterizations are excellent bringing to life to the motivations and demons of various riders, some famous others obscure. It really makes you appreciate what an amazing phenomenon the Tour is, where some people give everything they have in its service some even their lives. You could not fail to read this book without coming away feeling a sense of admiration for the people who have and continue to make this race so special. Looking forward to searching out the videos on You Tube of some of the stages covered.

Really enjoyed this book, gave a great snapshot of the TDF through the generations. to begin with I was expecting this to be a bit of a disjointed read with each chapter skipping to a totally differnt era and stage. However this is what actually makes the book, the diversity of the writing is enthralling. I knew a fair bit about the modern era of the event, but some of the stories and history of the event are simply amazing. A must read for any cycling fan or even if you are just into sports literature in general. I am now looking to explore the author further as this is definitely one you won't want to put down.

In short - buy this book! Entertaining, insightful, brings something new even to the stories you've heard a dozen times before.This book is a collection of short stories - each story being focused on a particular stage of the Tour de France.What really makes it though is the care that is taken to give the context to the reader - so while each chapter is nominally about one stage, it tells the story of that tour, or that riders career, adding a lot of depth to what might seem a shallow concept.Best book I've read all year.