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James May's Man Lab: The Book of Usefulness
For at least two decades now modern man has been on the brink of a crisis. Persuaded by both the post-feminist political landscape and his representation in the popular media to remodel himself as an endearingly hopeless halfwit, he now exists only as an object of pity. James and his happy band of brothers (plus a few women, but we try to edit them out) are engaged on a quest to lead maledom to a broad sunlit upland strewn with slim books of English verse and neatly stacked with correctly sharpened tools arranged in descending size order. From here they confront the mysteries of romance and fashion, the cult of men's cooking and the daunting underworld of hardcore DIY. Read it and remember that, as a chap, your first duty is to be dependable. And then you can have a pint.
- GenresNonfictionCarsHumor
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
45 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
James May
87 books185 followersJames May is a British television presenter and award-winning journalist.
May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. He also writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, his nickname is "Captain Slow", owing to his 'careful' driving style. He has, however, carried out some exceptionally high-speed driving (including taking a Bugatti Veyron to its top speed).
May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. He also writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, his nickname is "Captain Slow", owing to his 'careful' driving style. He has, however, carried out some exceptionally high-speed driving (including taking a Bugatti Veyron to its top speed).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2017
I jumped into this book fully cognizant of May's presentation style, having seen him on a certain BBC television program about cars for a number of years. His other television endeavours have seen less widespread appeal, though still enjoyable: Oz and May Drink to Britain was slower-paced, yet still engaging and educational. And so I figured, why not read something by a presenter whose style I enjoy?
The book is sprinkled with information that may be genuinely useful for a DIY-er, and some quick tips that might help avert a crisis. Some sections describe tools a homeowner might find useful, and guidelines for purchasing and maintaining them. Other sections are clearly inserted purely for comedic purposes, and though I have been exposed to and appreciate May's humour it does not lend itself well to print. Learning to patch a bicycle inner tube: good! Learning to make a fish-finger sandwich? Not so much. Learning how to wire a plug and then being told it is a useless skill? Treading a fine line between silly and irksome.
Some of the more absurd projects tackled in the book read like building logs, and it became clear that it was meant as an accompaniment to an existing television program. I am positive that narrating this book in the voice of James May whilst picturing him working on the projects discussed in this book would be enjoyable. That may be why the caricatures of him are included, but therein lies the problem -- this content relies heavily on its presenter. I feel this experience is not too far removed from, say, buying a book of dirty jokes and being disappointed after reading it cover-to-cover.
I have also purchased "How to Land an A330 Airbus", and desperately hope it isn't more of the same.
The book is sprinkled with information that may be genuinely useful for a DIY-er, and some quick tips that might help avert a crisis. Some sections describe tools a homeowner might find useful, and guidelines for purchasing and maintaining them. Other sections are clearly inserted purely for comedic purposes, and though I have been exposed to and appreciate May's humour it does not lend itself well to print. Learning to patch a bicycle inner tube: good! Learning to make a fish-finger sandwich? Not so much. Learning how to wire a plug and then being told it is a useless skill? Treading a fine line between silly and irksome.
Some of the more absurd projects tackled in the book read like building logs, and it became clear that it was meant as an accompaniment to an existing television program. I am positive that narrating this book in the voice of James May whilst picturing him working on the projects discussed in this book would be enjoyable. That may be why the caricatures of him are included, but therein lies the problem -- this content relies heavily on its presenter. I feel this experience is not too far removed from, say, buying a book of dirty jokes and being disappointed after reading it cover-to-cover.
I have also purchased "How to Land an A330 Airbus", and desperately hope it isn't more of the same.
September 3, 2020
Purchase Man Lab here for just $12!
Great book that anyone can read it with ease. Lots of diagrams and interesting things to look at and store in your memory bank.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
Great book that anyone can read it with ease. Lots of diagrams and interesting things to look at and store in your memory bank.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
January 19, 2018
3.5/5
Not bad, actually funny, skimpy on instructions.
Don't think people should be triggered by this - guy or girl, you should read this or at least appreciate the idea of becoming a more useful human being.
Not bad, actually funny, skimpy on instructions.
Don't think people should be triggered by this - guy or girl, you should read this or at least appreciate the idea of becoming a more useful human being.
January 20, 2021
James May comes to the rescue of the modern man, teaching him how to master skills which will come in handy at any corner of life. A great read and something things here might actually be useful - unlike May's other books.
October 31, 2021
The book's good but the screen and show is where May and of course, the content here shines best.
Equal genius and silliness in parts, it is compelling viewing. Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LAQW...
Equal genius and silliness in parts, it is compelling viewing. Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LAQW...
March 6, 2023
Another Great James May book
James May is a master at these kinds of books. Trying to bring some basic skills back from being forgotten.
James May is a master at these kinds of books. Trying to bring some basic skills back from being forgotten.
July 29, 2013
James May brings his unique intelligence to this book and tells all fellow men how to build indoor railways, make the perfect fish finger sandwich and how to take a penalty in a wonderful diverse collection of manliness.
Being a big fan of Top Gear and having watched many of May’s individual TV programmes over the years I’m happy to report his humour and cleverness comes across in this book.
Filled with facts, precise details, acute observations and remarkably wonderful ideas this will solve many problems and will generate ideas never thought of before.
One particular idea that stands out is the helicopter fly catcher, a great invention (particularly with this hot weather and pesky flies hanging around) for hunting down the pesky pests. More so, the indoor railway aspires to the creative side of everyone, wanting to build something that is not only practical but something in which you can stand back, see it work, and wear a proud and slightly smug smile.
Whilst the book isn’t designed to answer specific questions, this is aimed to fulfil the purposes of common haphazard occurrences (such as fixing a tap, bicycle puncture etc.) and to cement ideas into the reader’s head, and with its wonderful wit, light hearted picture designs and informative dialogue, it will certainly be a favourite amongst readers.
Being a big fan of Top Gear and having watched many of May’s individual TV programmes over the years I’m happy to report his humour and cleverness comes across in this book.
Filled with facts, precise details, acute observations and remarkably wonderful ideas this will solve many problems and will generate ideas never thought of before.
One particular idea that stands out is the helicopter fly catcher, a great invention (particularly with this hot weather and pesky flies hanging around) for hunting down the pesky pests. More so, the indoor railway aspires to the creative side of everyone, wanting to build something that is not only practical but something in which you can stand back, see it work, and wear a proud and slightly smug smile.
Whilst the book isn’t designed to answer specific questions, this is aimed to fulfil the purposes of common haphazard occurrences (such as fixing a tap, bicycle puncture etc.) and to cement ideas into the reader’s head, and with its wonderful wit, light hearted picture designs and informative dialogue, it will certainly be a favourite amongst readers.
August 19, 2012
This book has been written to accompany the BBC Tv series. The series was great fun with a lot of juvenile banter with sound engineering and scientific know how. The book really tries to capture this (with varying degrees) however as slickly as its written with lots of little in jokes (many of which lose their punch if you are neither familiar with James May or the series) the book does not really succeed in capturing the shows energy or excitement. It reminds me very much of the Dangerous Book for Boys which took the world by storm all those years ago - the only real difference is that this is fronted by caricature presenters rather than an informal narrator.
This said the book is fun to read and does appeal to all ages - if you want a light hearted approach to many and varied a subject this is a good place to start.
This said the book is fun to read and does appeal to all ages - if you want a light hearted approach to many and varied a subject this is a good place to start.
December 10, 2012
Was useful for teaching me how to get super shiny shoes and was quite funny.
April 14, 2013
Very good book...really worth reading ....love James May
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews