Product Description

The wry, honest and often hilarious chronicles of a very brave and clever TV presenter, Arctic Explorer and general drawer of the Short Straw. As one third of the BBC's Top Gear team, Richard Hammond's year since his near-fatal accident has been full of stunts and drama. From a race to the North Pole (with skis and dog-sled) to a journey through Botswana in a car named Oliver, and a seventeen-mile run through floods to his Gloucestershire home, in order to get to his daughter's birthday party, the year has been eventful, to say the least . . .With his boundless optimism in the face of certain failure, Richard Hammond has become one of our funniest writers about a life (and a job) which constantly present a challenge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18301 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 314 pages

Customer Reviews

From Husky's to Harley's via Gloucestershire
Those looking for an in depth insight into the behind the scenes goings on of Top Gear, or a personal diary from Richard similar to the style of his `on the edge' publication then this book isn't for you. But if what you want is a light read that is easy to dip in and out of when you get a moment, this book is ideal. Light hearted in approach and jovial in tone, it covers the stories of his significant filmed events over the past year and his feelings and thoughts around those challenges. Personally I think Richard went back into the throws of Top Gear too soon and this book does at times show this, particularly with his reactions to certain situations (other peoples I-pod songs and his obsession with his clothing and the colour of his harley rental before meeting Evel for example).

Some say... that Hammond should take heed, slow down and curl up with a cup of coco after his accident. But others like me say good on you Richard for finding the strength to carry on and doing what you love. Without the Top Gear show and people like Richard our world be utterly dominated by back to back soap operas, expensive phone line dancing\singing\'talent' contests and tacky quiz shows. Top Gear and the presenters on it give us some sanity and relief from this mainstream dross, and long may they continue..

The cameramen are the real stars!
Uneven but fascinating to get to know the characters behind the scenes and to find out about the real close relationships with the people you never normally hear about. Very interesting about the North Pole and Botswana but peters out later and loses momentum. For true Top Gear fans only.

UTTERLY BRILLIANT
If like me you constantly have at least one book on the go (if not more) then the general level of reading enjoyment hovers on a certain level whereby its worth reading (Or else you would not have purchased it in the first place) but in my case only vary rarely, possibly once or twice a year is there a book that is so good that you want to share it with every man and his dog plus and in my case this I am positive is 2009's offering. Richard Hammond writes in an even more witty and laugh providing way than he presents Top Gear (and the viewing figures speak for themselves).

It is very rare that a written offering causes me to laugh out loud but on several instances whilst reading this book I found myself laughing so much my good lady has started to question whether my sanity is slipping the same way as the hair line. Without giving away any secrets I defy any male member of the human race to read the part about Arctic survival and the potential health issues that can occur to the bodies most important part without both wincing and laughing both at the same time.

The book is written in an easy light hearted, matter of fact way which both shows the professionalism of both the crews and the presenters who bring us the Top Gear challenges but also RH puts his own unique humor which makes this book one that personally I did not want to end.

I do not normally read a lot of travel type books but if they were all of this standard then I would be immediately converted.

I urge you if you are going to read one book this Summer and you enjoy Top Gear, Have I Got News For You or Fawlty Towers (This sort of level of humour - you know who you are) then please read this one.

Already one of my top 10 all time reads.