Reg Harris - The rise and fall of Britain's greatest cyclist by Robert Dineen

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Reg Harris
The Rise and Fall of Britain's greatest cyclist by: Robert Dineen

Published August 13th, 2012 by Ebury Press
A Random House Group Company
www.randomhouse.co.uk

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd.
Hardcover, 352 pages

Robert Dineen did an unbelievable amount of research before writing this book. The book gives the details of Reg Harris's life. From his humble beginnings of being born into a working class family during the great depression to wealth and fame as a five times world champion cyclist. 

Some details of this book were fun to read about. Such as the stories of Harris not only racing cars but also racing sport cars. His driving on the road is legendary also. Once while driving way too fast he had a horrible automobile accident that nearly paralyzed him. The details of his bicycle racing career and personal like reveal a ruthlessness of the man that is difficult to like. By the end of the book his image was redeemed to me. Reg Harris rose to wealth and fame through cycling, only to loose it all at the end of his career. He got back on his feet in later years and was able to live out the rest of his life in a comfortable life style. Amazingly the book tells of Harris having a stroke while riding his bike on essentially the same route of his first real racing victory. Reg Harris died a few days after his stroke.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in cycling history or track racing. This book would not be an entertaining read for a non-cyclist looking for a light book to read. 

Click here to learn more about Reg Harris.