Writer and amateur cyclist Leonard challenges what it means to achieve greatness through the mythos of the sport's underdogs. There is much to learn from this book, which will prove amusing for cycling enthusiasts and interesting enough for sports buffs without a clue. -- Kirkus Reviews In some sports, last place doesn't necessarily mean ignominy. Max Leonard's entertaining book is rich with stories. A lively and engaging book that offers a valuable lesson: A lanterne rouge may finish last, but at least he stayed in the race. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune Don't be surprised if you fall in love with Max Leonard's book. A glorious celebration. -- TheTour.co.uk A fascinating account that focuses on the many stories, both real and mythical, associated with what is termed Lanterne Rouge, or the cyclist who finishes in last place at the famed Tour de France bike race. Leonards captivating, thoroughly researched, and well-written book is replete with a meticulous index of terms and names. -- Library Journal (starred review) Max Leonard demonstrates that perhaps the best way to understand the Tour de Franceand, to an extent, cycling as a wholeis to approach it was most of us would on a bike: from well behind. The Last Man in the Tour de France is equal parts history, hagiography, love letter and existential rumination. It is also quite good, insomuch as it falls well within the wheel grooves of the similar sports books before it but then drafts behind them, like a skilled racer does, so that its heart-on-sleeve moments, which can become syrupy quagmires in lesser reads, hurtle by, driven by Leonards relatively lean prose and his obvious personal passion. -- Paste Magazine An engaging, exhaustive survey of the last man in the Tour de France, a history, a collection of appealing anecdotes and a psychological consideration of winning and losing. An obvious choice for serious cycling fans, Leonard's study will also please general sports fans, history enthusiasts and those who root for the underdog. -- Shelf Awareness Thoughtful, properly researched, and consistently entertaining. -- Tim Moore, author of 'Gironimo!' A lively account. Its not easy to come up with an original angle on Le Tour, but with this rear view Leonard has managed the feat in style. -- Independent on Sunday A meticulously researched history chock-full of names and race information, featuring mini-profiles of several men who have been last-place finishers in the race and are called lanternes rouges. -- The New York Times Book Review An elegant book. Surprising and illuminating. -- The Herald This is a valuable book with some great stories. Deeply-researched and well-written, its an enjoyable read that shouldnt be rushed. -- The Inner Ring Thoughtful and witty. -- Times Literary Supplement Leonard extracts the dignity that sometimes exists in sporting failure; this is not the world of Armstrong, Keane, or Pietersen and it is all the more appealing because of that. -- The Observer This book does a great job of revealing some of the less well known stories from le Tour: well written, entertaining, and informative. -- Richard Peploe, Road
