michaelnlibrarian's review
2.0
No one who isn't quite interested in professional cycle racing would want to read this - and the rather pollyanna description of the US Postal Team's 2004 season is only mildly interesting as described here in any event. For all intents and purposes this is an authorized description of the team's season - nothing even vaguely controversial is said about anything or anyone.
Barry didn't ride in the Tour de France that season (or any other, I guess) so there are no special insights to that. Barry's relationship with Armstrong was not close - something like what one would have with a boss's boss.
Given all the problems with various riders on the Postal Team and doping being discussed now, the (very) few mentions of doping emphasize the controlled nature of what he wrote. (There is a history for authors of books etc that talk about this being shunned, so it isn't surprising.)
Other memoirs of cycle racers who were not stars on their teams describe the times they thought they made some great contribution in some detail and with obvious pride, making it clear how second tier riders are motivated. Barry talks about contributing to the team in a more general way. Odd.
Barry didn't ride in the Tour de France that season (or any other, I guess) so there are no special insights to that. Barry's relationship with Armstrong was not close - something like what one would have with a boss's boss.
Given all the problems with various riders on the Postal Team and doping being discussed now, the (very) few mentions of doping emphasize the controlled nature of what he wrote. (There is a history for authors of books etc that talk about this being shunned, so it isn't surprising.)
Other memoirs of cycle racers who were not stars on their teams describe the times they thought they made some great contribution in some detail and with obvious pride, making it clear how second tier riders are motivated. Barry talks about contributing to the team in a more general way. Odd.
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