Lanterne Rouge

This book is an entertaining account taking in everyone from stage winners and former yellow jerseys who couldn't hang on, to a breakaway leader who stopped for a bottle of wine and then took a wrong turn, to a doper whose drug cocktail backfired * Bike Radar * 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 * Celebratory and hilarious in equal measures, The Last Man revels in the travails of the underdog -- Ben East * Metro * Leonard extracts the dignity that sometimes exists in sporting failure; this is not the world of Armstrong, Keane or Pietersen and all the more appealing because of that -- Tim Lewis * Observer * In this lively, rear-view account of largely unsung heroes, and a few villains, Leonard has managed the difficult feat of coming up with an original angle on Le Tour -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday * Thoughtful, witty * Times Literary Supplement * Fascinating... Without losers, there are no winners * London Cyclist * This is a valuable book with some great stories. Deeply-researched and well-written, it's an enjoyable read that shouldn't be rushed * The Inner Ring * An elegant book... Surprising and illuminating -- Ian Bell * Herald * Makes for oddly inspiring reading. There is an art to losing -- Jon Day * London Review of Books * Brilliant... The stories of the lanternes rouges that Leonard picks out have real value, because the race's rear view can tell you much more than the angle we're all familiar with -- Michael Hutchinson * Independent * [A] lively account of largely forgotten men... It's not easy to come up with an original angle on Le Tour, but with this rear view Leonard has managed the feat in style -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday * Thoughtful, properly researched and consistently entertaining -- Tim Moore Don't be surprised if you fall in love with Max Leonard's book. A glorious celebration of coming last. -- Brendan Gallagher * thetour.co.uk * Excellent ... compulsive reading...redresses the balance with considerable literary style and panache. * The Washing Machine Post *