Author:William Fotheringham
Voted the most popular Italian sportsman of the twentieth century, Fausto Angelo Coppi was the campionissimo - champion of champions. The greatest cyclist of the immediate post-war years, he was the first man to win cycling's great double, the Tour de France and Tour of Italy in the same year - and he did it twice. He achieved mythical status for his crushing solo victories, world titles and world records. But his significance extends far beyond his sport.
Coppi's scandalous divorce and controversial early death convulsed a conservative, staunchly Roman Catholic Italy in the 1950s. At a time when adultery was still illegal, Coppi and his lover were dragged from their bed in the middle of the night, excommunicated and forced to face a clamorous legal battle. The ramifications of this case are still being felt today.
In Fallen Angel, acclaimed cycling biographer, William Fotheringham, tells the tragic story of Coppi's life and death - of how a man who became the symbol of a nation's rebirth after the disasters of war died reviled and heartbroken. Told with insight and intelligence, this is a unique portrait of Italy and Italian sport at a time of tumultuous change.
Sympathetic and perceptive. Times have changed but the myth lives on
—— Independent on SundayThe Italian star's rivalry with Gino Bartali makes Armstrong v Contador look like a playground spat
—— Tim Lewis , ObserverAdmirable. Coppi's melancholy journey from poverty to superstardom is a cautionary tale of the price of fame
—— Financial TimesThe quality of the testimony and the sources used by Fotheringham are of a remarkable breadth and depth. An excellent book
—— BBC SportFotheringham is at his best when describing the emergence of a new national hero from a world of rubble and grinding poverty
—— Richard Williams , GuardianA fantastic study of Coppi's life and achievements ... Everything you need or want to know about Fausto is in this book
—— Sir Paul SmithPoppa Neutrino built a raft from stuff he found on the streets of New York and sailed it across the Atlantic: he is a joy to meet through the happy medium of Wilkinson's wonderful words as Poppa plans his next epic voyage
—— Saga magazineA remarkable and compulsive re-enactment over 235 pages of the day Scotland confounded all expectation to win
—— Paul AckfordA priceless read ... quite outstanding
—— Robert Kitson , The GuardianIf you haven't bought Tom English's book about the 1990 match - The Grudge - then do yourself a favour and get it now. It's terrific
—— Alex Massie , SpectatorTom English's excellent book, The Grudge, revisits an occasion when sport and politics and ancient rivalry came together
—— Chris Foy , Daily MailTrue tales: great stuff
—— Frank Keating , The GuardianShudderingly good ... English has a rare talent for getting to the core of a person
—— Rugby WorldThatcherite politics and rugby come crashing into contact in this rich and textured account
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