Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike
Within the world of professional cycling, no name conjures such complete dedication and domination of the sport than that of Eddy “the Cannibal” Merckx, dubbed for his voracious appetite for winning. Fotheringham expertly traces Merckx’s career from his early races in Belgium to his successes at the Tour de France, painting a nuanced portrait of a man best described by his wife as “driven on by a power that was unique to him.” The power behind this account is Fotheringham’s skill in bringing Merckx’s races alive on the page. Woven throughout is a thoughtful discussion of the impact of Belgium’s ethnic divide between Flemish and French and its affect on Merckx’s career, as well as insightful analysis of how Merckx’s quiet and introverted personality helped to build his mystique. While Fotheringham clearly holds Merckx in high regard, he avoids the sycophantic tone of many sports biographies by placing Merckx within the wider cycling world at the time. This approach gives a rich depth to the book while still paying tribute to a remarkable athelete. --Eve Gaus--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.