The Tour de France

A Cultural History

Bibliographic Data

ID19919893
AuthorsChristopher S Thompson, Christopher Thompson (0000-0001-6970-5437, corresponding author)
Year2006
Pages398
Publication date2006-07-17
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueTour de France (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherUniversity of California Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1525/9780520932852
OpenAlexW4233230938
ISBN9780520932852
Open LibraryOL29605814M
LanguageEN
Citations received9

In this highly original history of the world’s most famous bicycle race, Christopher S. Thompson, mining previously neglected sources and writing with infectious enthusiasm for his subject, tells the compelling story of the Tour de France from its creation in 1903 to the present. Weaving the words of racers, politicians, Tour organizers, and a host of other commentators together with a wide-ranging analysis of the culture surrounding the event—including posters, songs, novels, films, and media coverage—Thompson links the history of the Tour to key moments and themes in French history. He argues persuasively that this hugely popular sporting event has been instrumental in French attempts to grapple with the great challenges they have confronted during their tumultuous twentieth century—from World Wars, political divisions, and class conflict to economic modernization, women’s emancipation, and threats to public health. Examining the enduring popularity of Tour racers, Thompson explores how their public images have changed over the past century. He concludes with a discussion of the longstanding practice of doping and considers the complex case of the seven-time champion Lance Armstrong

Geography · French Urban and Social Studies · History · Bicycle racing · France · Sports

Tools

Open DOILibgen