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Don't Stop Me Now by Jeremy Clarkson
There's more to life than cars. Jeremy Clarkson knows this. There is, after all, a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered.
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First published January 1, 2007
51 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Clarkson
59 books1,070 followersJeremy Charles Robert Clarkson (born April 11, 1960) is an English broadcaster and writer who specialises in motoring.
He writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun, but is better known for his role on the BBC television programme Top Gear.
From a career as a local journalist in the north of England, he rose to public prominence as a presenter of the original format of Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s Clarkson has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows and appearing as a guest on other shows. As well as motoring, Clarkson has produced programmes and books on subjects such as history and engineering. From 1998 to 2000 he also hosted his own chat show, Clarkson.
His opinionated but humorous tongue-in-cheek writing and presenting style has often generated much public reaction to his viewpoints. His actions both privately and as a Top Gear presenter have also sometimes resulted in criticism from the media, politicians, pressure groups and the public.
As well as the criticism levelled against him, Clarkson also generated a significant following in the public at large, being credited as a factor in the resurgence of Top Gear to the most popular show on BBC Two, and calls for him to be made Prime Minister. Clarkson himself was keen to downplay his perceived influence on the British public, stating he regularly contradicts himself, and would make a "rubbish" Prime Minister.
He writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun, but is better known for his role on the BBC television programme Top Gear.
From a career as a local journalist in the north of England, he rose to public prominence as a presenter of the original format of Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s Clarkson has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows and appearing as a guest on other shows. As well as motoring, Clarkson has produced programmes and books on subjects such as history and engineering. From 1998 to 2000 he also hosted his own chat show, Clarkson.
His opinionated but humorous tongue-in-cheek writing and presenting style has often generated much public reaction to his viewpoints. His actions both privately and as a Top Gear presenter have also sometimes resulted in criticism from the media, politicians, pressure groups and the public.
As well as the criticism levelled against him, Clarkson also generated a significant following in the public at large, being credited as a factor in the resurgence of Top Gear to the most popular show on BBC Two, and calls for him to be made Prime Minister. Clarkson himself was keen to downplay his perceived influence on the British public, stating he regularly contradicts himself, and would make a "rubbish" Prime Minister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 9, 2017
Clarkson's a good writer and no mistake. He does write the silliest things sometimes and jumps wildly from subject to subject, but it's all thoroughly entertaining, and that's three stars.
May 22, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. It is just a series of reviews he wrote for the Sunday times. They are rather old at this point but they are still entertaining to read. If you have ever watched top gear you can hear Clarksons voice as you read the articles. They are funny, witty, and savagely honest. You may also need to get past the fact that he hates everything American. The fact that he also hates the Germans, Italians, French, Spanish, all of Eastern Europe and pretty much everyone else makes it a little easier. An easy, fun read for any top gear fan.
July 11, 2020
I hate cars and Jeremy Clarkson I have no idea why I read this
January 3, 2016
This book is an intersting book. This is a selection of Clarkson's car reviews from the Sunday Times from 2003-2006. This book is funny nd would be a great book to dip in and out of as each section is only 5-6 pages long. As is the standard for Clarkson the first half of each review is a rant that he then proceeds to somehow relate to the car he is reviewing. Excellent.It is more ranting than reviewing which makes it much more interesting. For example "Have you ever wondered what happened to all the engineers? No, I thought not, but let's pretend you have so I can riff on pointlessly about the Victorians and how I once bought a DVD player for £850 and it's worth nothing now. Which brings me to the new Volvo S60 R. It's a bit like sleeping with the plain, boring girl when you could be shagging a page three stunna. It does the trick, but why bother?" This shows how he is able to quickly change back to the review after his funny rant which is loosly connected to the car he is reviewing.
March 3, 2015
It's been a while since I went head first into one of Clarkson's pure motoring review compilations, but I was more than pleased to have done so. Whilst the subject matters surrounding each review can become a little more substantial than the car itself, each piece from The Times gives a little insight in Clarkson's personal life and gives some of his more exuberant opinions a more rational background. Clarkson's television persona splits opinion these days with more and more falling on the undesirable side, but this book shows classic turn-of-the-millennium Clarkson at his best and before him and Top Gear became the BBC's ratings plaything.
May 3, 2019
‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ is a journalistic piece by greatest automotive journalist ‘Jeremy Clarkson’. Before reading this book, I’ve read ‘The World According to Jeremy Clarkson’ and ‘The Top Gear Years’ by Clarkson. I have to say they were quite awesome as well. Mind you this book is only for the hardcore petrolheads who loves to read about automobiles.
Language and humour are very strong in the book. It so casual that sometimes it feels that you are directly having a conversation with the writer. Much of the book is filled with jokes and stories instead of hard technical facts about the cars. We read some of the funniest jokes about automobiles, music bands and the British government. I had the Penguin edition with me which was very thick and heavy. There are around 359 pages in the book with text and pictures. Even though the book was written in 2007, it is still relevant today. For example; we understand how utilitarian vehicles like SUVs became mainstream vehicles.
We understand how the oil crisis played a very important role in developing hatchbacks and hybrids. Plus, how the desire of speed can develop something amazing like the Bugatti Veyron, a car that reaches over 400 kmph. It is very interesting to read how bad designing could lead to something so ridiculous like the Fiat Multipla. It is remarkable to know how Lamborghini, a brand that made tractors before making cars competed with an automotive giant like Ferrari. We learn the importance of adaptability with the example of Japanese cars which took over the US car industry.
I would highly recommend this book to the automobile lovers. You can finish this book in 4 days with breaks.
Language and humour are very strong in the book. It so casual that sometimes it feels that you are directly having a conversation with the writer. Much of the book is filled with jokes and stories instead of hard technical facts about the cars. We read some of the funniest jokes about automobiles, music bands and the British government. I had the Penguin edition with me which was very thick and heavy. There are around 359 pages in the book with text and pictures. Even though the book was written in 2007, it is still relevant today. For example; we understand how utilitarian vehicles like SUVs became mainstream vehicles.
We understand how the oil crisis played a very important role in developing hatchbacks and hybrids. Plus, how the desire of speed can develop something amazing like the Bugatti Veyron, a car that reaches over 400 kmph. It is very interesting to read how bad designing could lead to something so ridiculous like the Fiat Multipla. It is remarkable to know how Lamborghini, a brand that made tractors before making cars competed with an automotive giant like Ferrari. We learn the importance of adaptability with the example of Japanese cars which took over the US car industry.
I would highly recommend this book to the automobile lovers. You can finish this book in 4 days with breaks.
February 6, 2024
( Format : Ha
"Frank, funny and vividly opinionated."
what is it about Clarkson? For the most part, I don't like his politics and I have zero interest in cars beyond their ability to get me from a to b. But I adore Clarkson's rants, his ways of looking at the ordinary and making it special - or, of course, the opposite.
This is a book of (mostly very) expensive cars loaned to him to test drive and comment upon and this he does often with often irreverent humour. But also he brings in his everyday life, his query observations, and dumps those sacred cows along the way.
The book is lavishly illustrated with a double page photo of every car, from the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Bentley Continental, the Porsche 911 GT5, through the Maserati Quattroporte and Met exes Benz CLS 55 AMG to the Alfa Romeo 159 - in all 60 rather special cars, each an article which previously appeared on his motoring column in the Sunday Times between June 2003 and March 2006.
I loved the Clarkson perspective (as he says of the Audi TT) "as cute as a new born lamb".
"Frank, funny and vividly opinionated."
what is it about Clarkson? For the most part, I don't like his politics and I have zero interest in cars beyond their ability to get me from a to b. But I adore Clarkson's rants, his ways of looking at the ordinary and making it special - or, of course, the opposite.
This is a book of (mostly very) expensive cars loaned to him to test drive and comment upon and this he does often with often irreverent humour. But also he brings in his everyday life, his query observations, and dumps those sacred cows along the way.
The book is lavishly illustrated with a double page photo of every car, from the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Bentley Continental, the Porsche 911 GT5, through the Maserati Quattroporte and Met exes Benz CLS 55 AMG to the Alfa Romeo 159 - in all 60 rather special cars, each an article which previously appeared on his motoring column in the Sunday Times between June 2003 and March 2006.
I loved the Clarkson perspective (as he says of the Audi TT) "as cute as a new born lamb".
March 30, 2025
I'm not sure whether publishing a book consisting exclusively of previously printed newspaper articles is a stroke of genius or an outright scam. And I'm not here to make a judgment on that. For legal reasons.
Reading British articles as a foreigner was a hit or miss for me. I understood some of the humour and most references flew over my head. It's not Clarkson's fault, I know. It wasn't all bad, however, as I more or less got what he wrote about cars and that's at least half of the book.
I find myself with two more Clarksons on my shelf and I think I'm inclined to continue my deep dive into this tall man's mind. But I'm hoping it won't take me 15 years to complete this time.
Reading British articles as a foreigner was a hit or miss for me. I understood some of the humour and most references flew over my head. It's not Clarkson's fault, I know. It wasn't all bad, however, as I more or less got what he wrote about cars and that's at least half of the book.
I find myself with two more Clarksons on my shelf and I think I'm inclined to continue my deep dive into this tall man's mind. But I'm hoping it won't take me 15 years to complete this time.
July 13, 2020
A hilarious collection of Clarkson's motoring columns for the last several years. This one wasn't as funny as his other books that compile his Sunday Times column where he writes about anything and everything, but I thought it great how he still somehow found a way to tie a 2 page rant about something completely off-topic to the car at hand. I'm not interested in cars much at all yet I still cruised through this book pretty quickly.
February 9, 2023
Some of Jeremy Clarkson's weakest work. Not worth the paper it is printed on, which by the way, is very nice paper and makes the pictures in here look great. Very likely that I am not into Clarkson anymore. The schtick isn't charming to me, anymore, it's more annoying. The forced joylessness trying to elicit humorous aaffect and straight-up failing.
August 12, 2020
Well-written and knowledgeable car reviews, wrapped up in witty, biting, politically incorrect observations and opinions. Each piece is accompanied by a beautiful, striking double-page photograph of the subject vehicle.
February 9, 2025
Even if I had read this book before I got my car, I'd still have gone for a Mazda - they're unbreakable. If only the RX-8s hadn't been discontinued, I'd be in my real life asphalt 8 era
Very cool book
Very cool book
April 9, 2018
At this point in time, these are as much fun as a historical pieces as they are as automotive reviews.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 9, 2023
Typical old school Clarkson. Yes he's offensive.....but he sure can write.
August 11, 2024
Loved it. Hilarious. Clarkson's imagination laid out on every page.
February 27, 2012
Last week as I was thumbing through the EBooks at the local library, I came across this one...and, unlike most of the others I might want, it was available. Clarkson is an English journalist who is the main part of three who participate in the English version of Top Gear, the TV show. Like most British TV, (of which I am inordinately fond,) I can seldom figure if it is being produced at the present time, several years ago or even, in the case of some comedies, over ten years ago. For some reason or other, someone really doesn't, 1) want us to know and, 2) want us to have very much of it, especially the best British stuff. I suppose it would take us away from our (ugh!) American "reality" shows. If anyone wonders why I put that word in quotes, please don't ask. It pains me to believe that anyone in my country believes that the Kardashians are in any way fascinating (although Kim's perfume is quite lovely.) By the way, there is an American version of Top Gear, but it is devoid of any of the charm, wit and fun of the British version, in my opinion.
I became interested in cars and motorcycles because of my older brother. Hating babysitting and everything that entailed, I would often compete with the others kids in the neighborhood for lawn mowing services in the summer...and I thus learned how to take care of an internal combustion engine. My brother got me interested in motorcycles, much to my parents' displeasure and on two occasions which I recall, he let me take his beloved old Triumph out for a spin. The looks I received were between bewilderment, amusement and lust, kind of like going out to a club but with quicker ways to excuse oneself. After that I wasn't much for waiting for someone to ask me out on a date to go somewhere: I had tasted the glorious western delight of personal transportation...and I wanted to drive myself. My poor mother, I am sure, suffered silently for years of anguish that, because of my interest in cars, that I was a lesbian. There was no way of breaking it to her that I was only a control freak, although she would have probably found that equally distasteful. When I first chose my own car, I insisted on something interesting...and reasonably fast. Hence, even in college, my mind's eye was always thinking about getting out and driving someplace just to clear my head. It was a great purge of the cobwebs and it still is.
Fast forward to the present age: In any case, Clarkson waxes poetic on all things automotive and his use of description is unequaled. When I watch (the) old programs on my BBC channel, I always enjoy their road tests and antics...like racing snowboarders down a mountain in a Range Rover or driving a Bugatti Veyron flat out on VW's secret test track. I always find myself wanting one of the vehicles, especially the Bugatti with over 1000 hp, to drive to work. Heck, I visualize myself being able to have an affair, spending the odd night out with my lover and then driving so fast that I was home before hubby knew I was gone: such are the comic delights of this book.
The book consists in road tests of cars, one right after another. In fact, this being British, I don't even recognize what some of the cars are. I mean I know what a Citroen is and a Peugeot and a Lotus and even a Vauxhall, but we don't get them here so, you may ask, why read about them? The answer is that Clarkson's prose is poetic, occasionally bordering on the majestic. He's also pretty funny at times. When you can laugh out loud while reading a book, that's pretty good stuff! Still he is very hard on American cars, but I really don't care. It is Clarkson's delightful sense of description which makes this book so much fun to read. I was a little disappointed that this was published in 2007 and the reviews cover cars between 2003-2006, but it was still fun to read. Heck, I can't afford a new car anyway, but he has me looking at maybe a used Mercedes CLS55. Truthfully, I really can't afford a good bicycle these days, but this is the kind of thing which lets me dream...and, as Martha would say, that's a very good thing.
I became interested in cars and motorcycles because of my older brother. Hating babysitting and everything that entailed, I would often compete with the others kids in the neighborhood for lawn mowing services in the summer...and I thus learned how to take care of an internal combustion engine. My brother got me interested in motorcycles, much to my parents' displeasure and on two occasions which I recall, he let me take his beloved old Triumph out for a spin. The looks I received were between bewilderment, amusement and lust, kind of like going out to a club but with quicker ways to excuse oneself. After that I wasn't much for waiting for someone to ask me out on a date to go somewhere: I had tasted the glorious western delight of personal transportation...and I wanted to drive myself. My poor mother, I am sure, suffered silently for years of anguish that, because of my interest in cars, that I was a lesbian. There was no way of breaking it to her that I was only a control freak, although she would have probably found that equally distasteful. When I first chose my own car, I insisted on something interesting...and reasonably fast. Hence, even in college, my mind's eye was always thinking about getting out and driving someplace just to clear my head. It was a great purge of the cobwebs and it still is.
Fast forward to the present age: In any case, Clarkson waxes poetic on all things automotive and his use of description is unequaled. When I watch (the) old programs on my BBC channel, I always enjoy their road tests and antics...like racing snowboarders down a mountain in a Range Rover or driving a Bugatti Veyron flat out on VW's secret test track. I always find myself wanting one of the vehicles, especially the Bugatti with over 1000 hp, to drive to work. Heck, I visualize myself being able to have an affair, spending the odd night out with my lover and then driving so fast that I was home before hubby knew I was gone: such are the comic delights of this book.
The book consists in road tests of cars, one right after another. In fact, this being British, I don't even recognize what some of the cars are. I mean I know what a Citroen is and a Peugeot and a Lotus and even a Vauxhall, but we don't get them here so, you may ask, why read about them? The answer is that Clarkson's prose is poetic, occasionally bordering on the majestic. He's also pretty funny at times. When you can laugh out loud while reading a book, that's pretty good stuff! Still he is very hard on American cars, but I really don't care. It is Clarkson's delightful sense of description which makes this book so much fun to read. I was a little disappointed that this was published in 2007 and the reviews cover cars between 2003-2006, but it was still fun to read. Heck, I can't afford a new car anyway, but he has me looking at maybe a used Mercedes CLS55. Truthfully, I really can't afford a good bicycle these days, but this is the kind of thing which lets me dream...and, as Martha would say, that's a very good thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2015
I noticed when reading this that the columns were rather discontinuous, i.e. that there might be months between the publication of one column featured here and the next. This may reflect actual hiatuses in Jeremy Clarkson's column. My impression though is that it reflects a certain degree of selection on behalf of the book's editors. If I'm right, then I find this surprising.
Regular readers of Clarkson's car columns in The Sunday Times will tell you that they're not really about cars at all. Critical listeners will assume that that's a statement of hyperbole worthy of Clarkson himself. The truth, of course, as always, lies somewhere in the murky greyness of the middle ground. The columns included in this volume, however, are generally toward the more car-focussed end of the spectrum and cover a period of nearly four years (June 2003-March 2006). They're entertaining enough but of course the wide-ranging commentary on society takes a back seat (pun unintended?) to the minutiae of car layout and performance.
Regular readers of Clarkson's car columns in The Sunday Times will tell you that they're not really about cars at all. Critical listeners will assume that that's a statement of hyperbole worthy of Clarkson himself. The truth, of course, as always, lies somewhere in the murky greyness of the middle ground. The columns included in this volume, however, are generally toward the more car-focussed end of the spectrum and cover a period of nearly four years (June 2003-March 2006). They're entertaining enough but of course the wide-ranging commentary on society takes a back seat (pun unintended?) to the minutiae of car layout and performance.
October 14, 2009
As I like “Top Gear” and Clarkson, I bought this without fully realising what the content was. Reading his column each week - a humorous pre-amble, followed by a car review - is probably very entertaining, reading two or three years worth in one book gets wearing after a while. Midway through, I was glazing over every description of bhp and torque and under/over steer and it became a slog to finish it. Worse, items within the reviews began to repeat, compounded by the fact that he’d occasionally say the same thing on TV. Not what I was expecting and enjoyment would depend, I imagine, on how much of a petrol-head you are, rather than whether you appreciate his take on life and its foibles.
February 1, 2016
As I said previously, this book is made by compiling newspaper articles written by Jeremy Clarkson, their focus mostly being cars.
After reading this book to the end, I can say that I really did enjoy it, for several reasons; Firstly, I found the introduction to all of the articles really funny and creative, I also enjoyed the "Part II" idea which wasn't about cars but was still very funny
Overall, I think that this is a very creative and well written book and I would rate it a 9/10. I think that I would recommend this book to people who are age 12 and up because some of the references may be hard to understand for children.
After reading this book to the end, I can say that I really did enjoy it, for several reasons; Firstly, I found the introduction to all of the articles really funny and creative, I also enjoyed the "Part II" idea which wasn't about cars but was still very funny
Overall, I think that this is a very creative and well written book and I would rate it a 9/10. I think that I would recommend this book to people who are age 12 and up because some of the references may be hard to understand for children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2011
I love his sense of humour.
Back Cover Blurb:
There's more to life than cars. Jeremy Clarkson knows this. There is, after all, a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered.
Then there are the cars: whether it's the poxiest little runabout or an exotic, firebreathing supercar, no one does cars like Clarkson. Unmoved by mechanics' claims and unimpressed by press junkets, he approaches anything on four wheels without fear or favour. What emerges from the ashes is rarely pretty. But always very, very funny.
Back Cover Blurb:
There's more to life than cars. Jeremy Clarkson knows this. There is, after all, a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered.
Then there are the cars: whether it's the poxiest little runabout or an exotic, firebreathing supercar, no one does cars like Clarkson. Unmoved by mechanics' claims and unimpressed by press junkets, he approaches anything on four wheels without fear or favour. What emerges from the ashes is rarely pretty. But always very, very funny.
February 11, 2013
This might have been a good book back in 2003 if you really liked cars.
Reading it now it is less relevant as the information is all in regards to past model cars and unfortunately unlike the other books of his I have read this one does not vary topics. It's all cars, all the time.
Whilst he is still funny, reading back to back about cars which are no longer particularly relevant did nothing for me, I'm sure if you're a huge car nut you may appreciate this book however it simply wasn't to my tastes.
His other books? Good stuff. This one - not at all.
Reading it now it is less relevant as the information is all in regards to past model cars and unfortunately unlike the other books of his I have read this one does not vary topics. It's all cars, all the time.
Whilst he is still funny, reading back to back about cars which are no longer particularly relevant did nothing for me, I'm sure if you're a huge car nut you may appreciate this book however it simply wasn't to my tastes.
His other books? Good stuff. This one - not at all.
September 22, 2008
Although I expected this to be more like "the world according to Clarkson" and "And another Thing" it s really aimed at car lovers. Having said that the guy is so good with words I ve thoroughly enjoyed it as well as learning a lot more about cars and am now considering reading 'Motorworld' which I originally bought for my son.
February 2, 2009
I know nothing about cars, but this man cracks me up.
It IS a little heavy on the car talk, but the guy can really turn a phrase, and the photographs of the cars are great. It took me a long time to get through it because it's easy to put down. There is no plot or story since it's a collection of his columns. Great material for a waiting room...
It IS a little heavy on the car talk, but the guy can really turn a phrase, and the photographs of the cars are great. It took me a long time to get through it because it's easy to put down. There is no plot or story since it's a collection of his columns. Great material for a waiting room...
June 28, 2009
Another collection of columns from Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson. The difference? These are actually about cars- the second half. The first half of each column is usually devoted to something seemingly unrelated. These are the bits I preferred as I'm not much of a European car fan. Unfortunately it's not Top Gear in book format, but there are some laugh out loud moments.
Want to read
October 2, 2010I like Clarkson because i am one of Top Gear's fan. But actually i am rather have James May for my idol. But Clarckson give a fresh air on this show with his joke, because he is the leader of the show.
I never read his books before, but i will add his books in my waiting list. I hope his books as fresh as his joke.
I never read his books before, but i will add his books in my waiting list. I hope his books as fresh as his joke.
November 15, 2015
Selection of Clarkson's car reviews from the Sunday Times from 2003-2006. Funny as always and a great book to dip into hen you have a few minutes to spare as each section is only 5-6 pages long. As is the standard for Clarkson the first half of each review is a rant that he then proceeds to somehow relate to the car he is reviewing. Excellent.
June 23, 2008
Brilliant read. I am by no means a person who is into cars. As far as i am concerned Jeremy Clarkson could talking about a Ford Fiesta rather than Bmws, Mercedes & other cars of that ilk . However his sheer genius way of writing had me in stitches from start to finish!
February 11, 2009
Jeremy Clarkson is teetering on the border of being very not politically correct, and he quite entertaining. Even if, out of the three Top Gear presenters, I'd put his writing in second place behind James May's writing, I still really like reading his books.
March 24, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews