The Reassembler

by James May

'A typically Mayesque celebration of classic engineering ... May is extraordinarily good at explaining what a carburettor is or outlining how a governor works... It's charming, transfixing and surprisingly intimate...It might be the best thing he's ever done.' - Guardian [review of BBC4 TV series]

'Reassembly is merely a form of therapy; something that stimulates a part of my brain that is left wanting in my daily life. When I rebuild a bicycle, I re-order my head. So might you...

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 30, 2018

About the author

James 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).

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern gadgets and machines are designed to have almost no user serviceable parts, even a washing machine these days will need a technician to plug in a laptop to verify the fault before he is able to repair it. Gone are the days where most things could be repaired, though James May argues that this was because products were expensive, not particularly well made, often went wrong and so needed repairing and routine maintenance. He prefers modern gadgets that don’t need repairing or fiddling with to function. For May, reassembling items is a form of therapy; the act of creation calms and stimulates at the same time. That, and he has a thing about having the correct tools and screwdrivers in particular.

This is a nice tie into the series with lots of colour pictures from the workshop that he used on TV as he takes a pile of nicely laid out parts and makes a lawnmower and a guitar and an old Bakelite telephone. It is full of his rambling philosophy and dry sardonic wit, with short essays explaining how a specific item works, though sadly there is not as much text as I’d like. I completely get why he needs to assemble things, it is a theme that seems to be gaining traction elsewhere that using our hands to make and create is good for the soul. As an engineer (electronics and mechanical) I would have liked more detail on the items he was reassembling, but this an ideal book for the general reader.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, satisfying book to accompany (or rather follow-up) a remarkable "non-award winning" series on the BBC4 digital channel, in which James May 'does what it says on the tin'. He does it in such a way that he can appeal to those who like things to say what they do on the tin, and those of us who enjoy rich language, wry commentary and feeling better informed about all manner of things. These types are not mutually exclusive, clearly: May exists. But the point is that you can have no interest or talent to put towards engaging in such projects personally to enjoy the book.

The book is different from the series in that it omits some of the finer detail of the execution of each reassembly and is essentially the engaging commentary he keeps up during the process. And the book is no iconoclastic rant - he's not reassembling, variously, petrol lawnmowers, monkey bikes, Kenwood mixers, electric guitars and more out of unalloyed admiration of 'the way they used to make them'. There's a fair bit of 'more than you ever thought you wanted to know' about, for example, screwdrivers, but you certainly feel better for knowing it.

In a disordered world, James May offers order, hope and satisfaction.

[Jahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell yeah reassembling things

[Ryan Kotthoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, if your like James may and love old things and engineering.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you were expecting a book showing how to assemble things, you will be disappointed. This book follows the TV series in that several items are to be re-assembled. However, there are no step-by-step photos of the re-assembly process, nor any discussion of the re-assembly. There is a double-page spread photograph of all the parts which go to make up the item, and some photos of the completed assembly, but nothing in between. He discusses the history of the item, and ruminates about various tools, and that is about it.

[Maire Marran · Rating 3 out of 5]

James May is my favorite endearing eccentric, and this short foray into his mechanical meanderings in the name of reassembling nostalgic bits and pieces from his childhood days was a fun little romp that brought a smile to my face and a chuckle or two to my lips. Makes one appreciate the dedication and orientation required to keep old things running, as well as the odd tools (and humans) required to do so.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"I just like putting things together."

... And I just like listening to amusing people talk about their passions, especially when they include fascinating facts and delicious little anecdotes. And James May is one such person. Whether he's discouraging on telephones, bikes, lawnmowers or toy trains - or even just a screwdriver - he is fun and fascinating. I just wish the book was twice as long.

[5H3MS · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books that I listened in it original speed.
One of the few books that entertains me during the day and works as a lullaby before sleep)
Watched whole series but still enjoyed the book.

[Tom Plaskon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a peculiar book, in the best sort of way. Part rumination on reassembling things, part love letter to the right tool for the right job and part social history of the objects being reassembled. Loved it.

[PolishPierog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool book didn't know what to expect but it gives a cool new perspective on the reassembling broken equipment. It's really neat how it gives historical background on different items from lawnmowers to cake mixers. May when you get a chance punch Jeremy in the neck thanks.

[Cristián · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had bigger expectations, but I admit it was a relaxing and interesting experience to read this book (first I've read from James May). It's a horizon broadening book, although not by much. Still worth a quick read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun listen. He's witty and writes with intelligence. I had no idea that JSI and Phillips were different, or that Phillips automatically prevents over-tightening.

[Thomas Wyndham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another look at what on the face of it is a boring topic, but made interesting and exciting, when told by a man who is passionate about his hobbies.

[Te Riu Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather interesting, liked this more than I thought I would.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

James May's eulogy to the screwdriver. The author gets a fourth star when I couldn't give that to Clarkson, because of his passion for the little things he makes popular television shows out of.

[A Hellyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great anthology of interesting objects. Had no idea this was connected to a TV series until after I had finished it. Enjoyable for folks who enjoy May's pace of exploration.

[Tortillio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect to listen to while assembling Legos.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read about the love of tinkering and how things work.