Lance Armstrong - Readers want their money back

[alanHd]

Two Californians have filed a class-action lawsuit against the cyclist and his publishers Penguin and Random House - on behalf of themselves and other residents of California who bought the books - demanding refunds

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21250032

I say good luck to them,

[Sil_liS]

The books should now be classified as fiction.

[HarryT]

I don't see that these claims have any validity. When one buys an autobiography, there's never any guarantee that what the book says is actually true, is there?

[Mike L]

If this case succeeds (and it seems highly likely that it will), publishers will be very cautious about publishing any autobiography or memoir without cast-iron evidence that every word is accurate. The implications are interesting.

The whole thing is ridiculous. I'm not condoning Armstrong's behaviour, but I am amazed at the lengths some people will go to to make a point.

Mike

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

The books should now be classified as fiction.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...n-section.html

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Mike L

If this case succeeds (and it seems highly likely that it will), publishers will be very cautious about publishing any autobiography or memoir without cast-iron evidence that every word is accurate. The implications are interesting.

So publishers could be sued for not classifying, say, the Bible, as "Fiction", do you think, unless there's proof that every word is accurate?

[alanHd]

If i buy an autobiography i expect it to be factual to the best of their recollection. If people dont want to talk about things leave it out of the book.

Outright lies deserve everything they get.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by alanHd

If i buy an autobiography i expect it to be factual to the best of their recollection. If people dont want to talk about things leave it out of the book.

Outright lies deserve everything they get.

Of course that's what you would want, but the question that arises is whether you have any legal right to absolute truth. It's not (as far as I know) a crime to lie in an autobiography. I imagine that many autobiographies have been "embellished".

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by HarryT

So publishers could be sued for not classifying, say, the Bible, as "Fiction", do you think, unless there's proof that every word is accurate?

I'm not saying publishers should or could be sued for that, only that they (or their lawyers) might think they can be sued, and so will opt for caution.

As I said, the case is ridiculous. I personally think it would be stupid if it succeeds. But it does seem likely that it will, judging by the precedents quoted in the BBC article ( such as the James Frey case).

Mike

[alanHd]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Of course that's what you would want, but the question that arises is whether you have any legal right to absolute truth. It's not (as far as I know) a crime to lie in an autobiography. I imagine that many autobiographies have been "embellished".

I dont think it comes down to expecting absolute truth, how many people wouldn't have purchased the book if he had been truthful? (I think a lot more would have purchased it if he had truthful, but that would have been there choice)

For me his book goes way beyond embellishment. Its like the story i read about war correspondents pretending they were there when they were back home getting bits and pieces from the web.

[HarryT]

Oh, I agree with you entirely. And I suspect that the publishers will cave in to this for the sake of good PR, regardless of what the legal situation is.

[Billi]

To my mind, this lawsuit only shows that these two persons have not the slightest idea how doping works/is used. It's not done to be able to win the Tour de France by laying on the couch and regularly taking one's dosis. It's quite the contrary: a great part of the doping program enables the rider to train more, longer, to recover better from higher extends.

I've never been a fan of Lance Armstrong - there was a Jan Ullrich! -, I've read these two books with the "knowledge" of him doping and I've found them nevertheless highly interesting and inspiring how to fight and pursue one's goals. He has nevertheless a remarkable story to tell and I'm glad I've read them.

He has cheated, no question, but imho not the readers.

[alanHd]

I was shocked when i read The Secret Race - Tyler Hamilton.

[Billi]

In which way? I am asking because I haven't read it yet.

[alanHd]

Originally Posted by Billi

In which way? I am asking because I haven't read it yet.

That the fact doping was so widespread and the extent that i went on. Might be me being naive to think it wasnt so bad.

The book for me was really interesting, Tyler told it like it was, pulling no punches and not trying to lay the blame of on anyone. for that i respect the guy.