What do you think?
Rate this book
Guy Martin: My Autobiography
This is the story of life at the centre of the world's most dangerous sport, by its brightest and biggest star.
Guy Martin, international road-racing legend, maverick star of the Isle of Man TT, truck mechanic and TV presenter, lives on the edge, addicted to speed, thoroughly exhilarated by danger.
In this book we'll get inside his head as he stares death in the face, and risks his life in search of the next high, even as he agonises over the loss of close friends in horrific accidents. We'll discover what it feels like to survive a 170mph fireball at the TT in 2010, and comeback to do it all again. He'll sweep us up in a gritty sort of glory as he slogs it out for a place on the podium, but we'll also see him struggle with the flipside of fame. We'll meet his friends and foes, his family, his teammates and bosses and we'll discover what motivates him, and where his strengths and weaknesses lie.
For the first time, here is the full story in Guy's own words. From the boy who learned to prep bikes with his dad, to the spirited team mechanic, paying his way by collecting glasses, to the young racer at the start of his first race and the buzz he's been chasing ever since. This thrilling autobiography is an intense and dramatic ride.
Guy Martin, international road-racing legend, maverick star of the Isle of Man TT, truck mechanic and TV presenter, lives on the edge, addicted to speed, thoroughly exhilarated by danger.
In this book we'll get inside his head as he stares death in the face, and risks his life in search of the next high, even as he agonises over the loss of close friends in horrific accidents. We'll discover what it feels like to survive a 170mph fireball at the TT in 2010, and comeback to do it all again. He'll sweep us up in a gritty sort of glory as he slogs it out for a place on the podium, but we'll also see him struggle with the flipside of fame. We'll meet his friends and foes, his family, his teammates and bosses and we'll discover what motivates him, and where his strengths and weaknesses lie.
For the first time, here is the full story in Guy's own words. From the boy who learned to prep bikes with his dad, to the spirited team mechanic, paying his way by collecting glasses, to the young racer at the start of his first race and the buzz he's been chasing ever since. This thrilling autobiography is an intense and dramatic ride.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2014
149 people are currently reading
955 people want to read
About the author
Guy Martin
50 books84 followersGuy Martin is publicly known primarily as an English motorcycle racer, who also works as a lorry mechanic and TV presenter. He has mainly competed in road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and North West 200. Since 2011, Martin has also found success as the front man of several television programmes focusing on his passions of engineering, motor vehicles and speed.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
June 25, 2014
I have watched Guy Martin road race and I have watched him in Speed, and I always thought he was, in his words, a rum bloke. A geeza. Having read his novel, I think he's a bit of an idiot, in all honesty. Too much 'it was all their fault, I'm misunderstood' and 'take me the way I am, or not at all' for me - he just came across as stubborn and far too inflexible for his own good.
The bits I enjoyed were the insights into road racing and what it involves to get out there. The crashes and the cameraderie. I liked seeing stories about other racers, like Michael Dunlop - it'd be more than a little interesting to hear their stories about Guy, I think!
I liked the style in which this was written - very Guy. It was like sitting with him in a pub and him just rambling away about his life. But I didn't enjoy the jumping from story to story - I had very little clue about how and when things happened in his life.
So, a mixed bag, really. I do hope he gets that TT win, though.
The bits I enjoyed were the insights into road racing and what it involves to get out there. The crashes and the cameraderie. I liked seeing stories about other racers, like Michael Dunlop - it'd be more than a little interesting to hear their stories about Guy, I think!
I liked the style in which this was written - very Guy. It was like sitting with him in a pub and him just rambling away about his life. But I didn't enjoy the jumping from story to story - I had very little clue about how and when things happened in his life.
So, a mixed bag, really. I do hope he gets that TT win, though.
January 30, 2016
Guy Martin is a household name in UK and Ireland, possibly even further afield but I could’t really honestly say. He is a motorbike racer and being the main man in some pretty interesting TV shows earned him an even wider audience. Add to that his totally refreshingly different character (he has Asperger’s Syndrome as it turns out) and you have something that you simply cannot turn away from.
Why such a book? My husband is a biker and naturally I started watching MotoGP and Isle of Man TT with him from the telly. MotoGP is alright- I like the take offs and the 2 laps before the finish as that’s when things tend to be super interesting, otherwise the going around in laps doesn’t tickle me that much. Yet, there is speed and danger and passionate guys. Isle of Man TT racing is a whole different ballpark with its different events! I won’t go into the technicalities here. I watch videos from Youtube and even though I’ve seen some of them a few times I still feel disbelief every single time. It’s mental! The Senior race is a two hour race, six-laps, each lap 38 miles on the roads. Since the beginning of Isle of Man TT races there have been some gruesome crashes and many deaths.
I crashed 13 times in my first year, sometimes twice in a meeting, because I definitely didn’t do 13 different race meetings that season. It was costing me a fortune.
Everyone with knowledge of Guy Martin knows that he grew up tweaking engines and since his Dad owns a truck repair garage, Guy is a truck spanner. He loves fixing trucks!
I ate this book up! There was a sprinkle of his everyday life and a good portion about bikes and racing. In some parts of the books Guy literally takes you for a ride on his races describing exactly the feelings, the gear changes, the breaking, the mechanics, the race line, I mean- everything! And even though I know nothing about bike mechanics I found it so well described I lapped it up like a kitten at a milk bowl.
I found it quite surprising, even though I shouldn’t have, because his character should be a dead give away that he’s a mischievous fella. The stuff he got up to made me feel the pain he wrote about in the book. He’s had so many accidents and crashes from racing but also from getting up to some seriously stupid shit. Guy Martin does not know fear. He just gets an idea and goes for it.
I wasn’t in any doubt, but the proof of the pudding is always in the èating, and I proved I still had the balls for it, even after the crash I’d had. I wasn’t scared of dying at a road race. I was more scared of running out of teabags.
I read some of the reviews of the book on Goodreads and a few people mentioned that while they were huge fans of Guy, after reading his autobiography they started disliking him and thought he was a See You Next Thursday. Fair enough, reading a book is like reading art- everyone takes away their own interpretation. I, personally, have so much more respect for the Guy (haha, punny). TV shows and few interviews can give you an idea, and after reading this book it firmed up for me that he is top man- takes no bullshit, you get what you see. Yes, he blames other people (team mechanics or team owners) in some of the things, but he also blames himself when he knows he’s done wrong and he apparently doesn’t shy away from apologizing where due. How can you not have respect for a straight talking guy who doesn’t give two shits about what others think about him? He does what he loves and his passion for all things bikes and truck and speed so obviously shined that I wanted to go to the garage and pick up a spanner!
One of the shows Guy was in was called The Boat That Guy Built which included buying a canal boat in bad state, doing it up and kitting it out using the tech and methods from the Industrial Revolution.
At one point in the series, we were making some cotton bed linen, and I was asking how it got from the sheep. I now know cotton doesn’t come from sheep, but I’m not embarrassed to look daft and I’m not sorry they left that in the programme. If it makes me look thick, then I’m thick, I’m not bothered.
As passionate and friendly as the lad comes across something wasn’t right and he knew it. He didn’t like a lot of attention, masses of people and all this buzz that big events usually create… After talking to a lady at a race in Ireland, she suggested he go see her sister who is a psychiatrist.
I explained that I can be sat talking to someone, nodding, smiling and agreeing, and a thought will enter my head, like, ‘What would happen if I smashed this cup around the side of someone’s head and went crackers for five minutes?’
[…]
The psychiatrist also said she thought I could love tools and machines as much as I could love a person, that I see them in the same light. I do know that people can shout and scream and have tantrums at me, and I don’t give a shit- and perhaps that’s unusual. I’m looking at them, but thinking about the next cylinder head I have to port.
By now you get the gist- Guy Martin loves speed and he’s an adrenaline junkie and he loves anything to do with machines and their power. This book has so many brilliant happenings in it that to be able to tell you all about it, I would have to retype the whole book in this review… He has worked his bum off to make money for racing and buying fast cars for himself. A Rolls Royce Merlin engine seems to be his favorite among many as he describes himself being like a dog with ten dicks every time he starts it up.
He has gotten his ass black and blue by fireworks, he has smashed his front teeth up to his nasal cavity and left bits of his jaw at the docks, he has more points on his licence than anyone in the UK, I think, and not be banned off the road, he has broken his back and tested out whether his broken leg is healed by jumping off a bed in the doctor’s practice. He loves sleeping in his van and he has broken quite a few world records. All in all a super interesting guy always ready for something new! One of those records was the British speed record for a bicycle. Long story short, the bicycle is pedalled behind a racing truck in the trucks’ slipstream. It has set gearing and it’s a pushbike so the pedals keep going even when slowing down… Dave was the trucker and Guy was on the bike.
I don’t usually watch any of the TV footage we film, but I wanted to see some from that run. There’s a shot from a Vauxhall Insignia, that’s doing over 80 mph, and the truck comes past with bicycle behind it. It doesn’t just overtake, it flies past. I watched it and thought, ‘That’s me!’ It looked mental.
I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you’re not into bikes and racing and spannering. It is quite interesting and Guy’s way of describing it all is so typical to the way he speaks in any of the interviews I’ve seen. He’s full of life and hilarious! Amazon UK has 1564 ratings for the book as of today 30.01.2016- 1300 of those are 5 stars!
Why such a book? My husband is a biker and naturally I started watching MotoGP and Isle of Man TT with him from the telly. MotoGP is alright- I like the take offs and the 2 laps before the finish as that’s when things tend to be super interesting, otherwise the going around in laps doesn’t tickle me that much. Yet, there is speed and danger and passionate guys. Isle of Man TT racing is a whole different ballpark with its different events! I won’t go into the technicalities here. I watch videos from Youtube and even though I’ve seen some of them a few times I still feel disbelief every single time. It’s mental! The Senior race is a two hour race, six-laps, each lap 38 miles on the roads. Since the beginning of Isle of Man TT races there have been some gruesome crashes and many deaths.
I crashed 13 times in my first year, sometimes twice in a meeting, because I definitely didn’t do 13 different race meetings that season. It was costing me a fortune.
Everyone with knowledge of Guy Martin knows that he grew up tweaking engines and since his Dad owns a truck repair garage, Guy is a truck spanner. He loves fixing trucks!
I ate this book up! There was a sprinkle of his everyday life and a good portion about bikes and racing. In some parts of the books Guy literally takes you for a ride on his races describing exactly the feelings, the gear changes, the breaking, the mechanics, the race line, I mean- everything! And even though I know nothing about bike mechanics I found it so well described I lapped it up like a kitten at a milk bowl.
I found it quite surprising, even though I shouldn’t have, because his character should be a dead give away that he’s a mischievous fella. The stuff he got up to made me feel the pain he wrote about in the book. He’s had so many accidents and crashes from racing but also from getting up to some seriously stupid shit. Guy Martin does not know fear. He just gets an idea and goes for it.
I wasn’t in any doubt, but the proof of the pudding is always in the èating, and I proved I still had the balls for it, even after the crash I’d had. I wasn’t scared of dying at a road race. I was more scared of running out of teabags.
I read some of the reviews of the book on Goodreads and a few people mentioned that while they were huge fans of Guy, after reading his autobiography they started disliking him and thought he was a See You Next Thursday. Fair enough, reading a book is like reading art- everyone takes away their own interpretation. I, personally, have so much more respect for the Guy (haha, punny). TV shows and few interviews can give you an idea, and after reading this book it firmed up for me that he is top man- takes no bullshit, you get what you see. Yes, he blames other people (team mechanics or team owners) in some of the things, but he also blames himself when he knows he’s done wrong and he apparently doesn’t shy away from apologizing where due. How can you not have respect for a straight talking guy who doesn’t give two shits about what others think about him? He does what he loves and his passion for all things bikes and truck and speed so obviously shined that I wanted to go to the garage and pick up a spanner!
One of the shows Guy was in was called The Boat That Guy Built which included buying a canal boat in bad state, doing it up and kitting it out using the tech and methods from the Industrial Revolution.
At one point in the series, we were making some cotton bed linen, and I was asking how it got from the sheep. I now know cotton doesn’t come from sheep, but I’m not embarrassed to look daft and I’m not sorry they left that in the programme. If it makes me look thick, then I’m thick, I’m not bothered.
As passionate and friendly as the lad comes across something wasn’t right and he knew it. He didn’t like a lot of attention, masses of people and all this buzz that big events usually create… After talking to a lady at a race in Ireland, she suggested he go see her sister who is a psychiatrist.
I explained that I can be sat talking to someone, nodding, smiling and agreeing, and a thought will enter my head, like, ‘What would happen if I smashed this cup around the side of someone’s head and went crackers for five minutes?’
[…]
The psychiatrist also said she thought I could love tools and machines as much as I could love a person, that I see them in the same light. I do know that people can shout and scream and have tantrums at me, and I don’t give a shit- and perhaps that’s unusual. I’m looking at them, but thinking about the next cylinder head I have to port.
By now you get the gist- Guy Martin loves speed and he’s an adrenaline junkie and he loves anything to do with machines and their power. This book has so many brilliant happenings in it that to be able to tell you all about it, I would have to retype the whole book in this review… He has worked his bum off to make money for racing and buying fast cars for himself. A Rolls Royce Merlin engine seems to be his favorite among many as he describes himself being like a dog with ten dicks every time he starts it up.
He has gotten his ass black and blue by fireworks, he has smashed his front teeth up to his nasal cavity and left bits of his jaw at the docks, he has more points on his licence than anyone in the UK, I think, and not be banned off the road, he has broken his back and tested out whether his broken leg is healed by jumping off a bed in the doctor’s practice. He loves sleeping in his van and he has broken quite a few world records. All in all a super interesting guy always ready for something new! One of those records was the British speed record for a bicycle. Long story short, the bicycle is pedalled behind a racing truck in the trucks’ slipstream. It has set gearing and it’s a pushbike so the pedals keep going even when slowing down… Dave was the trucker and Guy was on the bike.
I don’t usually watch any of the TV footage we film, but I wanted to see some from that run. There’s a shot from a Vauxhall Insignia, that’s doing over 80 mph, and the truck comes past with bicycle behind it. It doesn’t just overtake, it flies past. I watched it and thought, ‘That’s me!’ It looked mental.
I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you’re not into bikes and racing and spannering. It is quite interesting and Guy’s way of describing it all is so typical to the way he speaks in any of the interviews I’ve seen. He’s full of life and hilarious! Amazon UK has 1564 ratings for the book as of today 30.01.2016- 1300 of those are 5 stars!
February 10, 2017
I think Guy Martin is rather like Marmite. you either love him, or you hate him. Luckily, he is the type of person I'd invite round for tea and biscuits!
This autobiography is a personal account into Guy's life in motorsports, and how he was first introduced to it. I am a big fan of his TV shows, and I enjoy watching him attempt to break speed world records.
Guy Martin has always came across as very down-to-earth, but at the same time, a rather stubborn individual. But, aren't we all!
He has made this read interesting and quite humorous at time's. I am looking forward to reading his next book.
This autobiography is a personal account into Guy's life in motorsports, and how he was first introduced to it. I am a big fan of his TV shows, and I enjoy watching him attempt to break speed world records.
Guy Martin has always came across as very down-to-earth, but at the same time, a rather stubborn individual. But, aren't we all!
He has made this read interesting and quite humorous at time's. I am looking forward to reading his next book.
February 20, 2021
DNF this book. I truly enjoy watching all the adventures that Guy undertakes, but alas, I am not a petrol head and found that this book was too mechanically inclined for me. And as I am not the target audience, I feel no one will be offended.
September 23, 2014
Hmmm......Guy comes across on tv as a nice bloke. Having read this, I'm no longer convinced of that - sorry Guy!
February 17, 2017
A good read and a great insight into the way the brain ticks of this 200mph road racer.
April 6, 2018
Guy Martin is one of the most recognisable personalities on British television and many regard him as a national treasure. A lorry mechanic with a penchant for speed, Guy has been described as a cross between Fred Dibnah and Evel Knievel, owing to his diverse engineering interests, road racing career, and adrenaline-fuelled exploits. In this autobiography, Guy describes his unpredictable career in the distinctive, frank and down-to-earth style he is renowned for.
Self-described as solely a truck fitter from Grimsby, and a good one at that, it was Guy’s exploits on motorcycles that eventually led to his nationwide fame. After developing a love of bikes as a child, he was able to save up and build a machine to race, first on short circuit courses before moving over to ‘real’ road racing. These races take place on closed public roads and include all of the potentially lethal ‘furniture’ like lampposts, walls and curbs. At speeds often exceeding 200 mph one mistake could mean death, and it is this aspect that gives Guy ‘the buzz’.
His foray into the television world was partly initiated by the excellent documentary Closer to the Edge, that glimpsed into the lives of several racers at the legendary Isle of Man TT in 2010. I strongly advise the reader to give this a look, and not just those with an interest in bikes, to truly appreciate the speeds and courage involved. Guy is refreshingly honest about the realities of competing on the Mountain Course and could be described as the film’s reluctant star.
The first few chapters of the book delve into Guy’s upbringing and formative years, with a particular focus on motorbikes and racing. Later on, his successful career in television is expanded upon, and it was interesting to read just how reluctant he was to get involved in this. What will be abundantly clear to the reader is that Guy’s down-to-earth personality shines through and the book does a great job in putting his voice across, not least in some very funny stories and equally amusing phrases.
Some of the key aspects that resonated with me are Guy’s work ethic and drive to succeed in whatever his passions might be, for example racing, building projects, his day job fitting trucks and so on. He is a character that isn’t afraid of graft, in fact he revels in it, and this is a trait that I try to emulate in my own areas of interest. Anyone that has seen his TV shows will appreciate his juvenile and infectious enthusiasm toward things that to many might seem mundane. I think that this passion and respect for his interests is something to be admired, as is his courage in facing situations that would make most people’s blood run cold.
To summarise, this book is highly recommended not just for racing fans but also people with an interest in one of Britain’s most unique and quirky characters. Those familiar with Guy solely from his TV work will appreciate learning about his background and share in some often very funny stories from his racing past.
Self-described as solely a truck fitter from Grimsby, and a good one at that, it was Guy’s exploits on motorcycles that eventually led to his nationwide fame. After developing a love of bikes as a child, he was able to save up and build a machine to race, first on short circuit courses before moving over to ‘real’ road racing. These races take place on closed public roads and include all of the potentially lethal ‘furniture’ like lampposts, walls and curbs. At speeds often exceeding 200 mph one mistake could mean death, and it is this aspect that gives Guy ‘the buzz’.
His foray into the television world was partly initiated by the excellent documentary Closer to the Edge, that glimpsed into the lives of several racers at the legendary Isle of Man TT in 2010. I strongly advise the reader to give this a look, and not just those with an interest in bikes, to truly appreciate the speeds and courage involved. Guy is refreshingly honest about the realities of competing on the Mountain Course and could be described as the film’s reluctant star.
The first few chapters of the book delve into Guy’s upbringing and formative years, with a particular focus on motorbikes and racing. Later on, his successful career in television is expanded upon, and it was interesting to read just how reluctant he was to get involved in this. What will be abundantly clear to the reader is that Guy’s down-to-earth personality shines through and the book does a great job in putting his voice across, not least in some very funny stories and equally amusing phrases.
Some of the key aspects that resonated with me are Guy’s work ethic and drive to succeed in whatever his passions might be, for example racing, building projects, his day job fitting trucks and so on. He is a character that isn’t afraid of graft, in fact he revels in it, and this is a trait that I try to emulate in my own areas of interest. Anyone that has seen his TV shows will appreciate his juvenile and infectious enthusiasm toward things that to many might seem mundane. I think that this passion and respect for his interests is something to be admired, as is his courage in facing situations that would make most people’s blood run cold.
To summarise, this book is highly recommended not just for racing fans but also people with an interest in one of Britain’s most unique and quirky characters. Those familiar with Guy solely from his TV work will appreciate learning about his background and share in some often very funny stories from his racing past.
October 28, 2014
A lot of people seem to have read this book with the vain hope that they would wind up liking Guy Martin at the end of it. What is that old saying about never meet your idols? Problem is Guy has never been shy about his distaste for the paddock meet and greets and autograph hunters and has received a bit of flack for that in the press. But he explains his various issues in the chapter "That Fella Off The Telly" in a very forthright manner. And as he rightly points out "I could sign stuff at the TT for 12 hours and someone would still slag me off for not signing stuff for 13 hours."
What I did find odd though was his sudden split with long term girlfriend and partner Kate Lancaster about two thirds of the book in. He had lived on the family farm for years and clearly this was a big story yet all the reader gets is 2 or 3 short paragraphs and then suddenly the mysterious Mr X enters the story. You wonder if this was done deliberately so as to avoid explaining the split but it felt like a smokescreen to me.
The early years and colourful upbringing in Lincolnshire though are fascinating and thanks to Guy's father Ian, I will never listen to Elton John's "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" in the same way again without laughing out loud.
Despite his personality foibles and mishaps that have unfortunately for him been played out in the motorcycling press, he remains an engaging, funny and truly talented racer. Yes, he's daft, and a little bit mad. But then again, who isn't?
As of 2014 a TT win still eludes Martin but he has vowed to go for it again in 2015. Just don't be too disappointed if doesn't want to autograph your programme when he finally does win!
What I did find odd though was his sudden split with long term girlfriend and partner Kate Lancaster about two thirds of the book in. He had lived on the family farm for years and clearly this was a big story yet all the reader gets is 2 or 3 short paragraphs and then suddenly the mysterious Mr X enters the story. You wonder if this was done deliberately so as to avoid explaining the split but it felt like a smokescreen to me.
The early years and colourful upbringing in Lincolnshire though are fascinating and thanks to Guy's father Ian, I will never listen to Elton John's "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" in the same way again without laughing out loud.
Despite his personality foibles and mishaps that have unfortunately for him been played out in the motorcycling press, he remains an engaging, funny and truly talented racer. Yes, he's daft, and a little bit mad. But then again, who isn't?
As of 2014 a TT win still eludes Martin but he has vowed to go for it again in 2015. Just don't be too disappointed if doesn't want to autograph your programme when he finally does win!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2016
The first thing I'll say about this book, and it's blindingly obvious at the start, but less so as you go on, is that it's clearly ghost written. It doesn't 'feel' as though Guy as written every word and that's probably not surprising, but I like to feel like the person who's book it is has written it.
Secondly, Virgin Books should be utterly ashamed of themselves with the quality of the publication of this. The editing and proof reading are obviously non existant. There are spelling errors on every other page, words not formatted correctly and sometimes two words not separated by a space.
However once you get passed these two issues (the poor spelling being the most difficult issue to look beyond) the book is funny. The more recent the events in the book are the more obious it is that Guy has had a hand in what's been put down on page directly. What stands out most is his love of his day job, fixing trucks. He reinforces it time and again throughout the book and it's refreshing to see that a 'celebrity' isn't bothered by the celebrity lifestyle. You know that is the TV works stops coming his way, you wont find him on celebrity Big Brother trying to get back in the limelight. He'll just carry on fixing trucks and racing his bikes.
He's rough round the edges (much like the book) but that's why I like him. You can relate to him in a way you can't with most other TV personalities. He calls a spade a spade and if he doesn't want to do something, he just wont do it.
Secondly, Virgin Books should be utterly ashamed of themselves with the quality of the publication of this. The editing and proof reading are obviously non existant. There are spelling errors on every other page, words not formatted correctly and sometimes two words not separated by a space.
However once you get passed these two issues (the poor spelling being the most difficult issue to look beyond) the book is funny. The more recent the events in the book are the more obious it is that Guy has had a hand in what's been put down on page directly. What stands out most is his love of his day job, fixing trucks. He reinforces it time and again throughout the book and it's refreshing to see that a 'celebrity' isn't bothered by the celebrity lifestyle. You know that is the TV works stops coming his way, you wont find him on celebrity Big Brother trying to get back in the limelight. He'll just carry on fixing trucks and racing his bikes.
He's rough round the edges (much like the book) but that's why I like him. You can relate to him in a way you can't with most other TV personalities. He calls a spade a spade and if he doesn't want to do something, he just wont do it.
February 20, 2015
If you don't have a soft spot for a man like Guy Martin then you aren't welcome in my house. Yes, he's clearly a little bit arrogant. Yes, he's probably a total pain in the backside if you're actually mates with him. Yes he seems to sweat my-way-or-the-highway from every pore. However, he's just so adorably and unapologetically northern. For that Guy, we love you.
Guy takes us through his life from being a young boy messing with motors to his current dealings with the TV devils. I know very little about motor bikes but I loved this. One or two chapters which were rather technical went over my head but all in all it's a story about loving what you love and not changing for anyone. And that is a great life lesson as far as I'm concerned.
No airs, no graces, no ridiculous desire to fit in with the norm. If only we were all a little but more like Guy.
Guy takes us through his life from being a young boy messing with motors to his current dealings with the TV devils. I know very little about motor bikes but I loved this. One or two chapters which were rather technical went over my head but all in all it's a story about loving what you love and not changing for anyone. And that is a great life lesson as far as I'm concerned.
No airs, no graces, no ridiculous desire to fit in with the norm. If only we were all a little but more like Guy.
March 6, 2015
Enjoyable read. Guy does things his own way. I enjoyed the insight into motorbike racing as its a subject I know very little about ( motor bikes have brake 'pedals'! And what all the different race classes are). I enjoy Guy Martin's tv shows and his ability to crack on and get things done. His 'have a brew' ' proper graft' style isn't fake for the cameras. He is what he is, sometimes his own worst enemy, but feet firmly and intentionally planted on the ground.
September 28, 2017
First of all if you are not a fan of motorbikes, motorbike racing and/or Guy Martin then I would probably advise to give this book a miss, if you are interested in any of the above then this might be quite an interesting read. This is his story up until 2014, It is predominantly about his racing career and love of motorbikes, with little in the way of personal stuff like his relationships, also his TV career is mentioned but isn't the focal point of the biography
This is the biography of a real road racer (as in the races are on real roads like the Isle of Man TT, not circuits like Silverstone) and a lorry mechanic. So I find it quite amusing that some people seem to dislike the fact that the book goes into detail about the inner workings of a motorbike, mainly engines and the modifying of a road bike into a race bike, and also the layout of some of the tracks he has raced at for example he will say how going into a particular corner you go from 100% throttle to 80% and when you exit the corner and accelerate how the bike will be unsettled.
Also as early in his career he was a circuit racer, then became a road racer, he has many stories involving other famous racers such as finishing 2nd to Cal Crutchlow (now a MotoGP rider) in the Junior Superstock championship, and taking out Milky Quayle at the Kells road races (a year before his career was finished following a 160mph crash at the 2003 IOM TT) along with others involving all the top Isle of Man TT riders such as John Mcguinness, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Michael Dunlop etc
I have also read many people say how reading this made them think that Guy Martin is arrogant, whereas to me he was only showing confidence, which is needed if your going to be a real road racer where 1 mistake and you hit a brick wall or a lamp post, either way your dead. In many parts I found him to be the opposite of arrogant, he sounded very humble when talking about crashes where he clearly states that his enthusiasm outweighed his talent and goes so far to say he crashed 13 times his first season and didn't even have 13 different race meetings, and yes there parts of the book where he is complaining but at one point he has 11 DNFs (did not finish) out of 19 races due to mechanical failure and when he does mention a mechanic he let go he even says he was a great mechanic and he was too harsh on him. Also he does use the saying ‘those who know, know and those who don't, don't matter’, which I can understand why it would rub some people the wrong way, its a pretty blunt statement, but he is using it in relation to a motorcycle team hiring him and not saying that if you don’t understand road racing and completely agree with him then he has no time for you which is what I feel some people think he means
There are issues I have with the book, the main one being that it could have been proof read a little better as there are many mistakes which did become a bit grating, most of them were insignificant spelling mistakes such as raced instead of race, become rather than became etc, the mistakes I could live with but the frequency of them was a little surprising
This is the biography of a real road racer (as in the races are on real roads like the Isle of Man TT, not circuits like Silverstone) and a lorry mechanic. So I find it quite amusing that some people seem to dislike the fact that the book goes into detail about the inner workings of a motorbike, mainly engines and the modifying of a road bike into a race bike, and also the layout of some of the tracks he has raced at for example he will say how going into a particular corner you go from 100% throttle to 80% and when you exit the corner and accelerate how the bike will be unsettled.
Also as early in his career he was a circuit racer, then became a road racer, he has many stories involving other famous racers such as finishing 2nd to Cal Crutchlow (now a MotoGP rider) in the Junior Superstock championship, and taking out Milky Quayle at the Kells road races (a year before his career was finished following a 160mph crash at the 2003 IOM TT) along with others involving all the top Isle of Man TT riders such as John Mcguinness, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Michael Dunlop etc
I have also read many people say how reading this made them think that Guy Martin is arrogant, whereas to me he was only showing confidence, which is needed if your going to be a real road racer where 1 mistake and you hit a brick wall or a lamp post, either way your dead. In many parts I found him to be the opposite of arrogant, he sounded very humble when talking about crashes where he clearly states that his enthusiasm outweighed his talent and goes so far to say he crashed 13 times his first season and didn't even have 13 different race meetings, and yes there parts of the book where he is complaining but at one point he has 11 DNFs (did not finish) out of 19 races due to mechanical failure and when he does mention a mechanic he let go he even says he was a great mechanic and he was too harsh on him. Also he does use the saying ‘those who know, know and those who don't, don't matter’, which I can understand why it would rub some people the wrong way, its a pretty blunt statement, but he is using it in relation to a motorcycle team hiring him and not saying that if you don’t understand road racing and completely agree with him then he has no time for you which is what I feel some people think he means
There are issues I have with the book, the main one being that it could have been proof read a little better as there are many mistakes which did become a bit grating, most of them were insignificant spelling mistakes such as raced instead of race, become rather than became etc, the mistakes I could live with but the frequency of them was a little surprising
May 18, 2017
Honest, insightful, informative. My dad recommended this book and I can see why. I have to admit, a lot of the motorbike jargon went over my head slightly. Martin starts off my describing some of the different types of racing in some detail but as the book goes on he makes some leaps in which he doesn't really explain some of the terminology as well as I would have liked! His upbringing was no-nonsense and he is a man of principle. I love that he still spends the majority of his life fixing trucks, his one true passion, and I always appreciate people who are unaffected and unimpressed by their celebrity. Martin has almost certainly rubbed a number of people up the wrong way throughout his career, and he uses this book as a bit of a platform to explain his thinking in each major fallout or disagreement he has. He is a little abrasive but this is based on his knowledge of bikes and his intolerance of fools and incompetence. He is driven by a desire for adrenaline-filled moments and a baseline desire to win.
I found the insight into the mind of the world's top motorbike races to be particularly fascinating. The fact that there are so many deaths in their sport and they barely blink an eyelid, the fact that they are not afraid of going fast and that they are come back from significant injuries time and time again and the fact that they just get on with it - incredible.
This is a refreshing read by someone who knows himself and clearly doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks.
I found the insight into the mind of the world's top motorbike races to be particularly fascinating. The fact that there are so many deaths in their sport and they barely blink an eyelid, the fact that they are not afraid of going fast and that they are come back from significant injuries time and time again and the fact that they just get on with it - incredible.
This is a refreshing read by someone who knows himself and clearly doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks.
May 7, 2025
At least once a year, I descend into one of my favourite rabbit holes of all time: the Isle of Man TT. It’s probably considered the deadliest race in the history of motorcycle racing, and also the race attracting thousands of aficionados every year to watch the mad men and women race on a public road at MotoGP speeds. Guy Martin has been one of those racers for years, and to me is one of the most fascinating people. His no-nonsense style of communicating might come off brash and rude at times, but honestly, to me, it’s been refreshing. He’s not the honeypot kind of guy, and you shouldn’t expect him to be in this book. At parts, it was a bit heavy on the “other people’s fault”, but as I said, if that’s how he felt, there’s no need to cloak it.
I enjoy people being themselves, and this one is just not a crowd pleaser in terms of paddock life, but I genuinely enjoyed a peek behind the scenes of the life of a road racer.
I enjoy people being themselves, and this one is just not a crowd pleaser in terms of paddock life, but I genuinely enjoyed a peek behind the scenes of the life of a road racer.
August 12, 2018
This was an easy read. The charm of the author is just how down to earth he is. In fact there's never even a slight pretence or aspiration to be something more elevated that makes him all the more endearing. If you're a motorcycle nut you'll find a lot in here to pique your interest. If you enjoy his TV personality you'll again be catered for.
The book was just right in length and content - I hear the follow-on books are simply details of his further movements and achievements. If you're a Guy Martin fan I can see how you'd love those but for someone like myself with an interest in motorcycles and a passing interest in the author, I think I'll stick with just reading this one.
The book was just right in length and content - I hear the follow-on books are simply details of his further movements and achievements. If you're a Guy Martin fan I can see how you'd love those but for someone like myself with an interest in motorcycles and a passing interest in the author, I think I'll stick with just reading this one.
August 27, 2017
I'm not a massive reader of autobiographies but find Guy Martin a really interesting character after watcher TT and Speed. To be honest this book was more technical when it comes to fixing up bikes and engines than I naively thought it would be which dampened some of the joy down for me. But It was a good insight into Guys character and the reason he made many of his career discussions. I would recommend this all fans but warn people about the technical depth.
The man has no fear and works crazy hard!
The man has no fear and works crazy hard!
February 4, 2022
I'd hear of guy before being passed this book but as read it (very slowly, I'm not a reader) I got more obsessed with everything he'd done. It led me to watch all his programmes from short interviews on racing and trucks to building boats and the speed records.
He's a simple, down to earth grafter but he's got a wild side that shines through.
A great insight into a short period of a very interesting life.
He's a simple, down to earth grafter but he's got a wild side that shines through.
A great insight into a short period of a very interesting life.
February 4, 2019
"When you dead, you dead."
He probably is the most talismanic road racer for my generation, often referred to as the most successful rider who never won the TT, but to him, its just a side job. First and foremost, he's a truck mechanic. Not a full time racer. Never was and never will be.
And that says a lot about the man and his drive. He's in it for the ride, not the fame, not the money, but for the pure joy of riding. And maybe that explains the fact why he went back to the sport after the famous '10 crash that made news worldwide. To see someone survive such a crash AND the fireball that followed, and still be itching to get back to the same thing again, might seem a bit maniacal to non riders. But again, you don't zip around country roads at speeds exceeding 321 kmph on crotch rockets without having titanium balls the size of coconuts.
A worthy read for any rider, their love for or indifference to road racing notwithstanding. What made him have "massive respect" for McGuinness, his competition with the Dunlops ( May Robert and William rest in peace.), his trysts with television and his alternatives for getting his fix. To summarise, what made him him. All that and still some more.
"We are not here for a long time, but for a good time."
He probably is the most talismanic road racer for my generation, often referred to as the most successful rider who never won the TT, but to him, its just a side job. First and foremost, he's a truck mechanic. Not a full time racer. Never was and never will be.
And that says a lot about the man and his drive. He's in it for the ride, not the fame, not the money, but for the pure joy of riding. And maybe that explains the fact why he went back to the sport after the famous '10 crash that made news worldwide. To see someone survive such a crash AND the fireball that followed, and still be itching to get back to the same thing again, might seem a bit maniacal to non riders. But again, you don't zip around country roads at speeds exceeding 321 kmph on crotch rockets without having titanium balls the size of coconuts.
A worthy read for any rider, their love for or indifference to road racing notwithstanding. What made him have "massive respect" for McGuinness, his competition with the Dunlops ( May Robert and William rest in peace.), his trysts with television and his alternatives for getting his fix. To summarise, what made him him. All that and still some more.
"We are not here for a long time, but for a good time."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2020
Interesting read into a will known road racer's life and mind. Makes you want to ride a bike flat out and then the next chapter makes you want to never get on a bike ever again as you read the consequences.
Read
November 30, 2020I really enjoyed this book and I have now read the other three books. They are an interesting insight into his life and he has a unique way of writing his books. He explains events in detail and how he is Different from what he seems on tv. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in him.
June 14, 2022
1st 5 star review I've gave for a while, really enjoyed this. Guy is a very likeable guy. If your into Motorbikes this is a must read you will really enjoy it. I hope he goes back to TT and gives it a go again to win.
June 13, 2017
Having read his second book first, this didn't disappoint. Written in his usual open and honest style I found it funny in places and an interesting insight in to his life.
August 25, 2017
There's only room for one person in Guy's life that's for sure! Decent read and insight into his world though. He's a bit crazy and is probably the reason he is well liked.
September 9, 2017
An interesting book about a complex character. As always though with today's autobiographies, you feel the it should have been 30 years later.
November 30, 2017
Bit flat, didn't engage me and I didn't finish it.
May 12, 2018
Amazing book
I love the way Guy is writing, it's like he's telling you his life in person.
Thanks Guy for writhing down your story.
I love the way Guy is writing, it's like he's telling you his life in person.
Thanks Guy for writhing down your story.
June 26, 2018
Excellent down to earth read that explains Guy the man and the myth
September 18, 2018
Interesting read. Full of hilarious experiences and life lessons.
November 18, 2018
Pretty dull to be honest , Unless your a hard core TT / bike racing enthusiast i would give it a miss
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews