Rate this book

Or Is That Just Me? (2009)

by Richard Hammond(Favorite Author)

3.58 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0297855212 (ISBN13: 9780297855217)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Orion Publishing

review 1: I went into this book having recently read 'On the Edge' and 'As You Do', both of which I absolutely loved. 'On the Edge' for its truly inspirational story and for allowing the reader to get to know about the ups and downs Hamster went through on his journey to recovery (especially as it wasn't widely reported on in Australia) - not only from his perspective but also from Mindy's - and 'As You Do' for the additional behind the scenes details and anecdotes of some of my favourite Top Gear challenges.While I did enjoy this book, I probably should've prepared myself for the content and main theme of the work a bit more. The book is quite funny and reveals the often embarrassing situations Hamster found himself in as he approached 40. I really wish however that a couple of ... morethe more cringe-worthy moments (the kidney stones chapter in particular) were placed at the end of the book. Being a guy I found it particularly difficult to get through that chapter which made getting through the book at least initially rather painful. Worse still, any time I subsequently looked at the book on my shelf or even when reading subsequent chapters I was constantly reminded of the kidney stones tale which I think sullied the book a bit for me... Having said that though I still think this is a worthwhile read but I would either start with 'On the Edge' or 'As You Do' to read Hamster at his best – or at least leave the kidney stones chapter until the end haha.
review 2: If you're a TOP GEAR fan, then you know Richard Hammond as one of the presenters of the British hit show about cars and related challenges. This book doesn't really include just TOP GEAR stories, but also covers other aspects of his career and some of his health issues. In fact, I've never read a book that deals with things as serious as a kidney stone and appendicitis in such a hysterically funny manner. I laughed so hard I was literally crying, which is quite the feat. I rarely do that. But the same humor you see on the show, you see in the book. He's got a very strong voice. There are other parts which are more mundane where he details the background of different projects he's done, including production challenges. Those didn't amuse me quite as much, but were still readable.I was rather surprised at how unafraid he was to talk about his fear of turning 40 and how his body seems to be failing him. He is, after all, only a young man inside his gear head. less

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