In the "you heard it here first" tradition of The Daily Peloton Forums I'm thrilled to tell you that I just received the first shipment of the book Saul and I wrote together. Over the last two days we shipped out over 500 pre-orders and review copies. The book is not scheduled to be in stores until September, but you can get a copy through this link and support the Daily Peloton in the process.



On a cool sidenote, I just returned from Book Expo America (an event so big it makes Interbike look like a small gathering) where we debuted the first ten copies of the book. Amidst all that this book got major attention and recognition. The cover is such a stunner (it utilizes holographic foil and embossed lettering) that several design experts told me it was the best looking book cover they'd ever seen. The president of the company who printed them told me it's definitely their best cover ever. These are not people prone to that sort of praise. I'm obviously biased, but I agree with them that it's stunning. It's way better than the jpg you'll see on my site because of the way it reacts to changes in lighting. We tried to take photos of it but they just don't work. When people first see the actual cover they always say things like, "Wow!"



The book itself is also getting fantastic early reviews. One publishing industry insider read it and then told me, "Once the word gets out about this story, demand for the book is going to be so high they're going to have to build new factories to print them fast enough." Obviously that would be impossible, but you can imagine how exciting it is to hear that sort of projection from someone who knows the business well.



The reason we're making them available here first is not only has Vaughn been a tremendous supporter of my efforts to build a writing career from early on, and not only have the Daily Peloton Forums been an invaluable resource for research on all of my cycling books, but Saul and I actually met through the Daily Peloton. On July 2 of last year I was a guest commentator on DP's Tour de France coverage. Saul showed up in the private chat room, V introduced us, and moments later my cell phone rang. It was an inspiration to talk to Saul that first time, and it's only gotten better from there. It's been a life-changing experience to watch him recover as we've worked on this book. Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of this kid. The reasons go way beyond cycling, as you'll see in the book. Race announcer Dave Towle really captured my feelings when he said, "Every time you talk with Saul you walk away feeling better about the state of humanity." Given the current headlines, who would have thought that cycling was on the verge of producing a story like that?



I'm signing and personalizing all of the books we sell directly. Saul is also signing as many as he can find time for (I have a stack of pre-signed books, but it's not large). His training schedule is intense, though, and getting back to racing is his highest priority, so unfortunately we can only guarantee his signature to those who purchase soon. I hope you're are among them. I guarantee you, you're not going to be disappointed.

I've got the book and I'm reading it as fast as I can. WOW!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Dave! My copy is in the cart.

I ordered mine. Now I can't wait for it to come!

Dave,

I got mine in the mail today. You are right the slip cover is stunning. Now to break it open and start reading.

Thanks for the speedy service, and thank you to Saul and you for taking the time to sign it for me. May sales be brisk.

Yes, they say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but since nearly everybody does I'm glad we have such a great cover on this one. I look forward to hear what you think of the actual story, N.B.O.L.



I've got 138 books signed by Saul, first come first serve.

Later,

Dave

Tour de Life Purchase Page

Done! And the interview on Bicycle Radio was terrific with you and Saul last week. (for those who missed it, you can hear the archived broadcast at www.bicycleradio.com)

I got mine on Saturday and, as is typical of your books Dave, I basically couldn't put it down until I finished it. What an amazing story! And the slip cover is awesome -- I actually took it off while I was reading it so I wouldn't mess it up (even though I think they are designed to protect the book while reading)!

Dave, you're a master, and Saul's a real hero. Incredible story so far, and it's exactly the kind of "Feel Good, Feel Bad, Feel Good Again" story that should snag the public's eye, and reveal that which is best about this sport.

Dave, I received my copy on Monday and I've just finished reading it. Probably would have done it in one sitting if I hadn't had to work!

You've done a terrific job. It's most readable and well-paced, and very touching. The one thing that comes out strongest in the first half of the story is the immense, utterly unselfish love that Saul's parents have for him. I doubt that anyone who's ever known a parent's love, or who has been a parent, would be unmoved by this. I believe I was in tears through most of it.

The second half is striking for its honesty. What Saul goes through is put across simply and plainly, pretty much as he must have seen things back then, with no discernible attempt at making anything fancier or prettier, or even to make himself look better.

There were a number of typographical and punctuation errors that could have been avoided, but they don't get in the way of the story.

Thanks for taking this on - it's inspiring in a way that many other real-life stories aren't, largely because of Saul's appealing character and personality, which comes through very well in your telling of his tale.

Thanks for the comments Kitty. It's been very encouraging to hear from early readers. The messages we meant to convey seem to have come through. As for typos, it always amazes me that errors sneak past so many eyes. The manuscript had been read by about three dozen different people including professional line editors, but it still isn't perfect. Fortunately we can make revisions in our next printing. I've been alerted to half a dozen errors so far but it sounds like you might have found more. If you're willing, please don't hesitate to let me know what they are by PM. On the bright side, they give your signed first edition a little bit of extra character.

Thanks,

Dave Shields

http://www.DaveShields.com/dp-laf.html

Just ordered mine. I hope there are some signed copies left.

Thanks.

Yep. There are. Thanks for your order. I'll get it shipped today.

Dave

http://www.DaveShields.com/dp-laf.html

Thanks...I am looking forward to reading this.

Whoever designed the cover ought to earn a prize. When this book sits on my table people pick it up just to check out the way the picture changes in the light. Very cool!

The cover is stunning and the read is as usual fast paced and one you don't want to put down.

If any of you want to read the stage 2 live ticker when Dave and Saul Raisin met as our guest commentators on July 3rd last year it is here:

http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=9698

With any luck we will have David and Saul drop by this year on one of the sprinters stages to talk about the book and give some race commentary... hint hint...

Good luck to Saul who's first race after the accident is this week on Sunday. Good Legs Saul!

Cheers,

Vaughn

Great job and a wonderful story. I ordered a copy and enjoyed it so much that I ordered another as a gift for a friend going through some intense physical therapy after a car accident. She's not a cycling fan, but I know she'll find the story inspirational.

I loved the link to the first meeting for this book, but I could have sworn there was originally a comment on the ticker that said, "Dave and Saul are both tied up at the moment. Hopefully they'll get back to us in a while," or something like that when he called me on the phone. I guess that didn't make the edit when the ticker was posted live. I'd kind of looked forward to seeing it because, nondescript as it sounds, getting tied up that day represents a big moment for me. I invested an insane amount of hours in the little project that ensued, and the effort has changed my life.



I'll definitely take the hint and join you for a stage or two of the TdF (and thank you for the invitation, V). I'll do my best to talk Saul into joining us, but the dude is a beast. He never stops training. He'll probably type for five minutes, get antsy, and then rush out the door for another ride.

Dave

http://www.DaveShields.com/dp-laf.html

Nice to see that this thread has been unlocked!



My book came today and I am looking forward to reading your work Dave! It has always been top drawer.



This will be especially nice to read after the Tour of California and Saul's efforts there. I also enjoyed meeting and spending time with the Parent Raisins too. They are two outstanding folks!

In Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series Nero's right hand man always knew when Nero had decided a book was "unworthy" when Nero dog-eared a page rather than use a book mark. I have finished Tour de Life and there are no dog-eared pages in my copy.

I know that it has taken me longer to read this than several of the others who have posted here. I understand how some might not have been able to put the book down. It was exactly the opposite for me; it sometimes so emotionally drained me that I had to put it down for a while. There was never a doubt I was going to pick it back up, but I had to take some breaks. Having seen the footage of Saul leading the neutral section of the Tour of Georgia stage in Dalton, so I knew how the book ended, helped me get through the first few chapters.

Having read it I not only have a higher level of respect for what Saul has accomplished, but my respect for what his parents went through and did to help him is about as high as it can get.

For anyone who has yet to read this, get a copy. If you are even a little bit of a wuss like me, get a box of Kleenex. Then READ.