Cycle of Lives

15 People's Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer

By: David Richman

Narrated by: Multiple

Length: 14 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Amazon best seller in "Brain Cancer"

Have you ever been forced to consider the fact of your mortality? If confronted with cancer, how would you feel? What would you say to the people you love? What would they say to you? No two people have the same answers to these questions, a lesson I learned well during a solo six-week, 5,000-mile cross-country bike ride I called Cycle of Lives. The trip started as a fundraiser in honor of my sister, June, who died of brain cancer. But long before I even set out on my endurance ride from LA to Florida to NY, I exhaustively interviewed 15 people across the country whose lives had also been irrevocably changed by cancer - either as patients, survivors, loved ones, or caregivers.

Hearing their moving stories, which were influenced by many different forms of past and present trauma, transformed my cycling odyssey into a journey of emotional self-discovery as I relived the chaos and emotional upheaval of cancer through them: from the man who found true love after losing his soulmate to cancer, to the elite athlete who had to reckon with his all-star body finally letting him down, to the medical oncologist who cares as much about her patients as she cares for them. Whether you or someone you care about is going through cancer or some other major trauma, I hope this thought-provoking collection of astonishing stories can help you, too.

©2020 David Richman (P)2021 David Richman

Such a moving book

I could not stop listening. This book was beautifully written. And such an important topic. I was touched by each persons story. I also enjoyed hearing about David’s bike ride.

Incredible journey

Cycle of Lives is a book that tells the story of 15 people touched by cancer and one more. One who, in addition to having lived closely with the disease, decided to unite 15 participants through a journey of discoveries and surprises.
I felt involved and impacted by each story in the book, with their challenges and the resilience they showed. Each trying to fight their battles, worrying about the people around them and the uncertainty of a future.
I highly recommend it!

Well done, heartfelt story

I thought this might be depressing but it is anything but. It is beautifully written, telling the story of 15 individual's personal cancer experiences either as patients, survivors, loved ones, or caregivers. I enjoyed the different narrators telling the stories of the individuals, all of whom, the author met on his challenging bicycle ride 5,000 miles coast to coast. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this audiobook for my honest review.

Powerful and engaging book not just about cancer, but the life that happens in between

I was delighted to learn that an audio version of this book was released. I had previously purchased the paperback but my life these days hasn’t allowed me to do much personal reading. So when I heard the book was on Audible, it was a no brainer to also buy the audiobook, especially knowing that the author donates 100% of the net proceeds from all sales to charities picked by the book’s participants.

Now let’s be honest, I knew that some of the contents of the book were going to make me cry. And they certainly did, but the wonderful part was that not all of my tears were of sadness, they were also tears of hope and love. In a time that seems to be increasingly divided, the author tells the story not just of the participants, but also of those he meets along the way. People with hearts overflowing with generosity and a desire to bring goodness to this world.

I enjoyed how he balanced each person’s unique story with that of his own heartwarming and inspiring journey across the country. Each chapter brought to life the worlds of these individuals, not just of their relationship to cancer, but with their place on this earth. From the woman who escaped the terror of a war torn country to another who escaped the terror of a violent and abusive relationship, the author beautifully describes each path that these people found themselves on and the impact they had on others. And so many of them have stories just like us. I highly recommend you listen to this book. You may not cry like I did, but you no doubt will be touched.

What a Journey!

This author shares the stories of 15 individuals who all had a brush stroke of cancer painted into their lives. Each story is unique, sharing with the reader all of the parts that create the whole, an embodiment of how cancer affected them. The stories are thread together with David’s own challenging quest to ride his bike almost 5000 miles to meet face to face with his characters. David connects the people and their stories, by exploring and unveiling his own personal thoughts, feelings, mental stability and physical trials as he pedals solo through all types of weather and dangers. A healing journey for the author and an emotionally turbulent ride for the reader. This book is a must read for anyone who has been touched by this disease or, knows someone who has…clearly that is everyone.