Table of Contents

Preface to the 2008 Edition 
Acknowledgments 
Introduction 
1. La Grande Boucle: Cycling, Progress, and Modernity 
2. Itineraries, Narratives, and Identities 
3· The Geants de La Route: Gender and Heroism 
4. L 'Auto's Ouvriers de La PedaLe: Work, Class, and the Tour de France, 1903-1939 
5· The Forr;ats de La Route: Exploits, Exploitation, and the Politics of Athletic Excess, 1903-1939 
6. What Price Heroism? Work, Sport, and Drugs in Postwar France 
Epilogue 
Appendix: Racers' Occupations 
Notes 
Bibliography 
Index 

About the Author

Christopher S. Thompson is Associate Professor of History at Ball State University.

Reviews

"There are several books to tell you who first won the yellow jersey or the identity of the youngest post-war winner of the Tour de France, the kind you might receive as a gift. This is sort of book you'd buy for yourself." //Inrng: The Inner Ring "This book is filled fascinating material... Thompson has made a great deal of sense out of this complicated story." Podium Cafe "A comprehensive history of France from the race's inception, long before Greg LeMond or Lance Armstrong were born." The Bike Blog-Albany Times Union