Racing Through the Dark

by David Millar
Racing Through the Dark cover
Good Books rating 4.3
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 6229
  • Added: 2025-11-07
  • Updated: 2025-11-09
  • ISBN: 9781451682700
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2012-06-26
  • Reviews: 4

Racing Through the Dark is an arrestingly candid memoir by David Millar, a world-class cyclist who shares his journey from a young Scottish expat to a Tour de France stage winner. The book offers a vivid portrait of his life in professional cycling, including his early promise in mountain biking and BMX, his transition to road racing, and his eventual rise through the ranks. Millar's story is not just about his athletic achievements but also about the darker side of the sport, including his soul-searing detour into performance-enhancing drugs, his dramatic arrest, and his two-year ban. /n/n The memoir details Millar's eventual comeback as a clean cyclist and his efforts to keep performance-enhancing drugs out of the sport he loves. Filled with thrilling descriptions of the world's most spectacular courses, Racing Through the Dark captures the pure joy of cycling and includes some of the most vivid accounts of racing ever written by a true insider.

Reviews
Velominati · 2013-06-13
compelling 4.50

The book is a strong and compelling read, touching in many ways. Millar's talent as a journalist and writer shines through.

The reviewer describes 'Racing Through the Dark' as a strong and compelling read, highlighting Millar's talent as both a journalist and a writer. They find the book to be touching in many ways, particularly in its honest and reflective account of Millar's experiences. The reviewer appreciates the depth of Millar's introspection and the way he eulogises about his journey, making it a powerful and engaging story. The book is praised for its compelling narrative and the way it explores the highs and lows of Millar's cycling career.

Quick quotes

    Really strong book – the guy is a seriously talented journalist and writer.

    Very compelling read and touching in many ways.

    His eulogising about his journey makes it a powerful story.

Pages of Julia · 2012-07-25
uplifting 4.20

This is an unexpectedly inspirational story of a pro cyclist's return to the sport after doping. Millar's journey is both bleak and uplifting.

The reviewer from Pages of Julia finds Racing Through the Dark to be an unexpectedly inspirational story. They highlight Millar's journey from doping to redemption, noting the bleakness of his struggles and the uplifting nature of his return to cycling. The reviewer appreciates the raw honesty and emotional depth of Millar's account, making it a powerful read. The book is praised for its candidness and the way it captures the complexities of a professional athlete's life, offering a unique perspective on the sport of cycling.

Quick quotes

    An unexpectedly inspirational story of a pro cyclist's 'clean' return to the sport after doping.

    Millar's journey is both bleak and uplifting.

    The raw honesty and emotional depth make it a powerful read.

The Inner Ring · 2011-06-20
engaging 4.00

This is a very good read, with Millar's writing being particularly strong and his story gripping at times. The collaboration with Jeremy Whittle adds depth to the narrative.

The reviewer from The Inner Ring finds Racing Through the Dark to be a very good read, highlighting David Millar's strong writing skills and the gripping nature of his story. The collaboration with Jeremy Whittle is noted as adding significant depth to the narrative. The book is praised for its engaging style and the way it captures the highs and lows of Millar's career. The reviewer appreciates the candidness and the emotional journey that Millar takes the reader on, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in sports memoirs.

Quick quotes

    This is a very good read, Millar writes well and his story is gripping at times.

    He collaborated with Jeremy Whittle whose own book, 'Bad Blood', adds depth to the narrative.

    Millar's candidness and the emotional journey make it a compelling read.

The Guardian · Richard Williams · 2011-06-17
inspirational 4.50

This is one of the great first-person accounts of sporting experience. It is a candid and reflective journey through the highs and lows of a cycling career.

Richard Williams praises this book as one of the most compelling first-person accounts of a sporting life. He highlights the raw honesty and depth of Millar's reflections on his career, particularly his struggles with doping and his eventual redemption. Williams finds the narrative gripping and Millar's writing style engaging, making it a must-read for sports enthusiasts. The book's emotional depth and candidness are particularly noted, offering a unique perspective on the pressures and pitfalls of professional cycling.

Quick quotes

    One of the great first-person accounts of sporting experience.

    Millar's reflections on his career are raw and honest.

    A gripping narrative that offers a unique perspective on professional cycling.

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