Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition

by Saul Raisin and Dave Shields

Tells the story of a young bicycle racer who survived a horrifying crash in France in 2006. Detailing the course of his recovery, this work focuses on his parents' frantic navigation of the French... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974849227
• ISBN13: 9780974849225
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Three Story Press
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Goes beyond cycling to be an inspiration for everyone

Although the center of this story is a cyclist, the book is an inspiring story about a family's courage and an individual's recovery from a traumatic accident. I read it over the Thanksgiving weekend and it is a wonderful reminder of all the things for which we should give thanks. This book would be a great gift for the family of anyone recovering from a brain injury or any other injury requiring extensive rehab. It shows the toll that an accident can take on the family and the individual, and shows that many "lows" are a part of the recovery process. But it is also a inspriring story of life and love.

There is more to this one than bike racing

This is an engrossing and inspiring book that is written in such a way that it can be enjoyed by anyone not just cyclists. The book is broken into two parts. The first half of the book is told from Saul's parents' perspective. Dave Shields does an impressive job of conveying the emotions that his family goes through as Saul struggles to stay alive in a foreign hospital. It is almost like you are walking through each day's events with them. The second half of the book is told by Saul. He talks candidly about his struggle to relearn the simplest task such as feeding himself. He tells how the people that stood by him like his mother, father, girlfriend and teammates gave him courage and strength to meet the challenges he faced. This is more than a book about cycling and a man's road to recovery. This is a book about courage, family, hope, determination and prayer. Saul and David tell a story that inspires and encourages. Well worth reading.

Inspiring Story

This is one the more refreshing books I have read in a long time. You will not have to be a cycling fan to enjoy it. The book is much more about relationships with family, friends, hope, persistance, and a good guy finishing first for a change. I have ridden along side Saul since his accident and it is one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever experienced. It literally shocked me that he was able to overcome this near death experience and live to be a role model for the world of cycling. When you order this book get two copies, you will want to give one to a friend!

A "Lance-like" Story

Unbelivable story of an athlete that comes back from a injury that many would not have survived. Saul has amazing stamina and is a rider that has the potential to win many major races and to come back from this injury in this sport is simply stunning. Having raced bikes myself at a high level, I know how hard it can be... A huge difference between Lance's situation and Saul's is that his team stood behind him. Armstrong did not get that support. Kudos to Credit Agricole for being there for him, and for his family. Dave Shield's telling of this story and depending on the recollections of Saul, his parents, and all the other people involved had to be extremely difficult. Shields tells it like he was sitting in the room. I was lucky to get a copy that both Shields and Raisin signed...when Saul wins the Tour de France, it'll be a treasured item. Bike racing's all about being able to suffer. Saul knows what real suffering is like. It can change your whole persepctive. Go Saul...Raisin Hell.

TERRIFIC INSPIRING READ

An outstanding read from the first page to the last. Whether you are a fan of cycling or not, it is insightful and a testament to the courage needed by a family when their son is cruelly hurt in a professional road cycling race. Not only is he expected to die, he is in a foreign country where culture dictates a different approach to the medical process than here in the states. As a parent I cannot imagine the horror and confusion. The second half of the book is told from the perspective of the patient as he rehabs from a serious brain injury. The work involved, the progression from "fog" to light. So incredibly insightful even if you are not a cycling fan to watch how his brain slowly reawakens. I could not put this book down. The Raisin parents are two ordinary people who rise to an extraordinary challenge with brilliance. Saul is amazing in his fierce desire to get back to "normal". I had the pleasure of meeting all three of them prior to reading this story, although as a fan of cycling I was familiar on the surface with the story of his accident. They are the nicest people you would want to meet. Kudos also to Credit Agricole for their full support of this young man in his time of need. Read this book, you will be inspired and amazed. The brain is an amazing thing.