Road to Valor

A True Story of World War II Italy, the Nazis, and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation

By: Aili McConnon, Andres McConnon

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Gino Bartali is best known as an Italian cycling legend: the man who not only won the Tour de France twice, but also holds the record for the longest time span between victories. During the 10 years that separated his hard-won triumphs, his actions, both on and off the racecourse, ensured him a permanent place in Italian hearts and minds.

In Road to Valor, Aili and Andres McConnon chronicle Bartali's journey, starting in impoverished rural Tuscany where a scrawny, mischievous boy painstakingly saves his money to buy a bicycle and before long, is racking up wins throughout the country. At the age of 24, he stuns the world by winning the Tour de France and becomes an international sports icon. But Mussolini's Fascists try to hijack his victory for propaganda purposes, derailing Bartali's career, and as the Nazis occupy Italy, Bartali undertakes secret and dangerous activities to help those being targeted. He shelters a family of Jews in an apartment he financed with his cycling winnings and is able to smuggle counterfeit identity documents hidden in his bicycle past Fascist and Nazi checkpoints because the soldiers recognize him as a national hero in training.

After the grueling wartime years, Bartali fights to rebuild his career as Italy emerges from the rubble. In 1948, the stakes are raised when midway through the Tour de France, an assassination attempt in Rome sparks nationwide political protests and riots. Despite numerous setbacks and a legendary snowstorm in the Alps, the chain-smoking, Chianti-loving, 34-year-old underdog comes back and wins the most difficult endurance competition on earth. Bartali's inspiring performance helps unite his fractured homeland and restore pride and spirit to a country still reeling from war and despair.

Set in Italy and France against the turbulent backdrop of an unforgiving sport and threatening politics, Road to Valor is the breathtaking account of one man's unsung heroism and his resilience in the face of adversity. Based on nearly 10 years of research in Italy, France, and Israel, including interviews with Bartali's family, former teammates, a Holocaust survivor Bartali saved, and many others, Road to Valor is the first book ever written about Bartali in English and the only book written in any language to fully explore the scope of Bartali's wartime work. An epic tale of courage, comeback, and redemption, it is the untold story of one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.

©2012 Aili McConnon and Andres McConnon (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A workmanlike biography that fills in some of the gaps of this strange, troubling time." ( Kirkus)

The History lesson is worth the listen

Was an interesting listen, the history of Italy pre-war along with what happened during and after was worth the time to listen.

The sound quality was good as was the reader.

incredibly important story for all to know

incredibly important story for all to know whether or not you are a cycling fan. Humanizes the work of the righteous in support of others.

great mix of cycling fan geek-out & world history

I loved this book. The story was a bit uneven, but the historic detail and stories of the cycling greats made it a fantastic listen.

Fantastic story.

A great view into the lives of people in Cycling and how they helped in the war.

Gino’s legacy will forever be remembered

Wonderful story that combined humanity and one man’s quest for victory. In the end, he had done both for himself and country.

Thin material, but a well-paced 'read'

I'd heard about The Road to Valour in a few places, and was keen to find out about Gino Bartali, 1938 and 1948 Tour de France winner and Italian cycling legend.

The book really covers two themes - Gino's cycling career and his work during WWII to help rescue Italian jews. The evidence for the latter is a bit patchy, not least because Bartali (who died in 2000) wouldn't talk about his wartime efforts, so the authors are sometimes struggling. It's much stronger on the cycling, and especially on Bartali's battles with Coppi (his arch rival) and with the Italian press, who continually write him off.

All in all, an interesting book which illuminates the era and the eccentric figures who pedalled through it.

Hollywood .... look this story !!!

It was not a Hollywood movie script, it was a real-life story. One of the most beautiful stories of cycling and human kindness. Unmissable.

Great story, well read, and it synced with my iPad

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great book about a great and modest man. The narration is terrific, and, even though it supposedly does not have Whyspersync, it synced with my Kindle and iPad Kindle app.

Great story and read

Would you listen to Road to Valor again? Why?

Yes - I loved the story and this man's life

Which character – as performed by Stephen Hoye – was your favorite?

Hoye did an ok job on most characters but I hated when he tried to insert an Italian accent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Uplifting story told with a different view point

There are many stories about WW2 and I have enjoyed a lot of them (just added Monument Men to my wish list). This story provides a different view point because the main character is Italian and you learn about the birth of the Tour De France. Maybe it was the fact that I listened to a lot of this on an exercise bike...I found the race aspects very insightful. I did get a little tired of the narrator but that happens when listening for extended periods.