The Descent

by Thomas Dekker
The Descent cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Biography and Memoir
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6291
  • Added: 2025-11-09
  • Updated: 2025-11-09
  • ISBN: 9781473551763
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2017-07-06
  • Reviews: 3

Thomas Dekker was on track to become a cycling superstar, but the pressures of fame and the lure of hedonistic excess led him down a dark path. In 'The Descent,' Dekker reveals the gritty reality of his journey, filled with hotel room blood bags, clandestine drug deals, and wild partying at the Tour de France. This memoir lays bare the cycling world's deepest secrets, offering a candid look at the highs and lows of professional sports. /n/nWritten with brutal honesty, 'The Descent' is more than just a story of doping and debauchery; it's a revealing expose of the cycling industry's darkest corners. Dekker's personal account provides a unique perspective on the intense pressures faced by athletes and the lengths they go to in pursuit of victory.

Reviews
Cyclist · Joe Robinson · 2018-04-13
engaging 4.00

The book's protagonist is divisive, but the reviewer appreciates his boyish charm. The narrative is engaging and leaves a lasting impression.

The Descent by Thomas Dekker is a book that polarises readers with its protagonist. Joe Robinson, the reviewer, found himself drawn to the character's boyish charm, which made the story more enjoyable for him. The book delves into the life of a professional cyclist, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the sport's underbelly. Robinson highlights that the narrative is compelling and leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable read. The book's ability to evoke strong emotions and its candid portrayal of the cycling world are its standout features.

Quick quotes

    Ultimately, it's a book that leaves you either loving or hating its protagonist.

    Personally, I enjoyed what I saw as Dekker's boyish charm and I ...

    It's a book that leaves a lasting impression.

road.cc · 2018-01-21
fascinating 3.50

The story is familiar but fascinating, offering a grim look at a rider's downfall. It's a compelling read despite its depressing nature.

The Descent by Thomas Dekker presents a story that, while familiar, is nonetheless fascinating. The reviewer notes that the book offers a depressingly familiar tale of a professional cyclist's downfall due to breaking the rules. Despite its grim subject matter, the narrative is compelling and provides a deep dive into the consequences of a rider's actions. The reviewer appreciates the book's honesty and its ability to shed light on the darker aspects of professional cycling. The story is a cautionary tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    The Descent offers a depressingly familiar but nonetheless fascinating story of yet another professional rider leaving the sport after breaking the rules.

    It's a compelling read despite its depressing nature.

    The story is a cautionary tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Singletrack World · 2017-08-11
grim 2.50

The book is relentlessly grim and lacks a crafted plot. It's a raw and unfiltered look at the cycling world.

The Descent by Thomas Dekker is a book that doesn't hold back on its grim portrayal of the cycling world. The reviewer notes that the book is relentlessly grim and lacks the crafted plot or language of more polished works. However, this rawness is part of what makes the book compelling. It offers an unfiltered look at the dark side of professional cycling, making it a unique and thought-provoking read. The reviewer appreciates the book's honesty but acknowledges that it may not be for everyone due to its unrelenting tone.

Quick quotes

    Having got to the end, I don't feel I've learnt anything new.

    It's relentlessly grim, but without the crafted plot or language of a Chuck ...

    It offers an unfiltered look at the dark side of professional cycling.

Appears in Lists