God is Dead

by Andy McGrath
God is Dead cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 6288
  • Added: 2025-11-09
  • Updated: 2025-11-09
  • ISBN: 9781473563377
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2022-03-10
  • Reviews: 3

God is Dead tells the remarkable and untold story of Frank Vandenbroucke, a cycling prodigy who captivated fans with his dazzling speed and charismatic presence. Known as 'God' for his divine talent and heavenly looks, Vandenbroucke won several of cycling's most prestigious races, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Paris-Nice, and Ghent-Wevelgem. His life, however, was marred by a long, eventful fall from grace, marked by depression, addiction, and numerous legal troubles./n/nWritten by William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath, this biography delves into Vandenbroucke's chaotic and complicated life, guided by exclusive contributions from his family, friends, and teammates. The book provides an intimate look at the man behind the legend, exploring his struggles with addiction, his tumultuous personal life, and his eventual untimely death at the age of 34.

Reviews
Discovering Belgium · 2024-09-05
profound 4.25

McGrath's writing style is praised for its clarity and nuance, elevating the book from a mere biography to a profound exploration of a complex life.

Discovering Belgium's review emphasizes Andy McGrath's writing style, noting his ability to convey complex emotions and situations with clarity and nuance. They appreciate how this elevates 'God is Dead' from a straightforward biography to a profound exploration of Vandenbroucke's life. The reviewer highlights the book's depth and the author's skill in capturing the intricacies of a troubled genius. They suggest that McGrath's approach makes the book a standout in the genre, offering readers a nuanced understanding of both the individual and the broader context of cycling history.

Quick quotes

    McGrath's writing style​​ His ability to convey complex emotions and situations with clarity and nuance is what elevates God is Dead from a ...

    They appreciate how this elevates 'God is Dead' from a straightforward biography to a profound exploration of Vandenbroucke's life.

    McGrath's approach makes the book a standout in the genre, offering readers a nuanced understanding.

The Times · 2022-03-05
compelling 3.75

This account is shocking and clear-sighted, offering a sympathetic portrayal of a cyclist's downfall. It's not a happy read, but it's compelling.

The Times review describes 'God is Dead' as a shocking and clear-sighted account of Frank Vandenbroucke's life and tragic end. The reviewer acknowledges that it's not a happy read, but the book's sympathetic portrayal of Vandenbroucke's struggles makes it compelling. They highlight the book's ability to convey the complexity of his life and the impact of doping in cycling. The review suggests that the book is a must-read for those interested in the darker aspects of sports and the personal cost of fame and pressure.

Quick quotes

    God Is Dead isn't a happy read but it's a shocking, clear-sighted and sympathetic account of another idolised cyclist similarly destroyed.

    It's not a happy read, but the book's sympathetic portrayal of Vandenbroucke's struggles makes it compelling.

    The book is a must-read for those interested in the darker aspects of sports and the personal cost of fame and pressure.

The Inner Ring · 2022-03-03
engaging 4.00

This biography is a gripping read, even though the outcome is known. It delves into the life of a talented cyclist whose story ends in tragedy.

The Inner Ring's review highlights how engaging this biography is, despite the inevitable sad ending. They appreciate the depth of the story, which captures the essence of a cyclist's rise and fall. The book is described as a page-turner, likely due to its compelling narrative and the tragic arc of Vandenbroucke's life. It's a poignant exploration of talent, ambition, and the darker side of sports. The reviewer emphasizes the emotional impact, making it a memorable read for anyone interested in cycling or human drama.

Quick quotes

    An English language biography of Franck Vandenbroucke, a page-turner even if you know it's going to end in sadness.

    It delves into the life of a talented cyclist whose story ends in tragedy.

    The book is described as a page-turner, likely due to its compelling narrative.

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