1923 cover art

1923

The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession

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1923

By: Ned Boulting
Narrated by: Ned Boulting
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About this listen

 Bloomsbury presents 1923 written and read by Ned Boulting.

WINNER OF THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023: SPORT
NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

'An absorbing mix of historical sleuthing and travel writing'
The Telegraph

'[a] fascinating and often touching book… Wonderful'
The Times

The story of an obsession. When cycling commentator Ned Boulting bought a length of Pathé news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 he set about learning everything he could about it – taking him on an intriguing journey that encompasses travelogue, history and detective story.

In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathé news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge.

Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence – studying each frame, face and building – until he had squeezed the meaning from it. It sets him off in fascinating directions, encompassing travelogue, history, mystery story – to explain, to go deeper into this moment in time, captured on his little film.

Join him as he explores the history of cycling and France just five years after WWI.©2023 Ned Boulting (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Cycling Sports History Sports Writing Sports

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All stars
Most relevant
From someone that doesn't have the patience to read books, Ned's elloquently wholesome writing, and warm tones of narration had me compelled from start to end. This is not a novel about cycling, it encompasses so much more although it Never Strays Far, it is so beautifully crafted that it will appeal to all. Chapeau Ned.

Excuisite story telling!

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By looking into the granular detail of the short piece of film bought at auction so many lives and stories are discovered. A fascinating insight into a period of cycling and history I knew little about.

From a short clip of film so many interesting stories

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An extraordinary tale that weaves through the history of cycling and the 20th Century. Beautifully written and read, it is a truly moving story.

Simply beautiful

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I’m a cycling fan but I’d have no hesitation in recommending this to people who aren’t really interested in professional racing. Cycling so often takes us on journeys and this journey is masterfully told, filled with details that make me want to go away and learn more.

Captivating

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Fantastic aspect of forgotten history, the book looks at history forgotten by time and has a fascinating perspective of the the Tour de France

Fantastic perspective on the history of the tour

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