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The World According to Clarkson #7
If You’d Just Let Me Finish
In November 2016 we woke up to the news that the forthright presenter of a popular television programme had become the most powerful man on the planet. His name, sadly, was not Jeremy Clarkson, but we might not have been any more surprised if it had been.
Because the world seems to have taken a decidedly odd turn since Jeremy last reflected on the state of things between the covers of a book. But who better than JC to help us navigate our way through the mess?
And while he's being trying to make sense of it all he's discovered one or two things along the way, including:
- The disabling effects of being vegan
- How Blackpool might be improved by drilling a hole through it
- The problem with meditation
- A perfect location for rebuilding Palmyra
- Why Tom Cruise can worship lizards if he wants to
It's all been a bit unsettling.
But don't worry. If You'd Just Let Me Finish is Clarkson at his best. He may be as bemused, exasperated, amused and surprised as the rest of us, but in a world gone crazy, thank God someone has still got his head screwed on ...
Because the world seems to have taken a decidedly odd turn since Jeremy last reflected on the state of things between the covers of a book. But who better than JC to help us navigate our way through the mess?
And while he's being trying to make sense of it all he's discovered one or two things along the way, including:
- The disabling effects of being vegan
- How Blackpool might be improved by drilling a hole through it
- The problem with meditation
- A perfect location for rebuilding Palmyra
- Why Tom Cruise can worship lizards if he wants to
It's all been a bit unsettling.
But don't worry. If You'd Just Let Me Finish is Clarkson at his best. He may be as bemused, exasperated, amused and surprised as the rest of us, but in a world gone crazy, thank God someone has still got his head screwed on ...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 2018
216 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Clarkson
59 books1,077 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 50 reviews
January 6, 2019
There's something about Jeremy Clarkson that I can't quite put my finger on. Everything should suggest that I should hate him and not even want to pick up one of his books or watch one of his shows. But yet I do. His brand of tired misogyny and out of touch dad stupidity and his obsession with gas guzzling cars is everything that I hate. Yet I'm still drawn to him. Even some of his opinions I don't agree with. Yet I'm transfixed by his books, I laugh my balls off and sometimes even find myself agreeing with him. And I hate myself for it. His books are great though. There I go again. I mean, honestly...
January 10, 2019
On the cover it says "Extremely Funny - The Daily Telegraph". That sets the benchmark pretty low.
The rantings of Britains favourite right wing commentator. He doesn't like the Labour Party, Tom Watson, Jeremy Corbyn, badgers (really) and the North (quite a big area to dislike). And he has this joke about fluids at airports and hold on to your sides, are we going to moisturise the pilot to death. He likes this one so much he repeats it over and over again.
Extremely dull.
The rantings of Britains favourite right wing commentator. He doesn't like the Labour Party, Tom Watson, Jeremy Corbyn, badgers (really) and the North (quite a big area to dislike). And he has this joke about fluids at airports and hold on to your sides, are we going to moisturise the pilot to death. He likes this one so much he repeats it over and over again.
Extremely dull.
January 11, 2021
A perfect read if you’re getting in the habit of reading a few pages before bed every day for this book is simply a collection of columns and thus one chapter is approximately 3.5 pages. The reason I give this book 5 stars is because it is expected to be funny and particularly the column on horse owners had me laughing so hard in my bed that my brother came over to check what I was watching online and we sat laughing together for another 5 minutes when I read it to him (the same goes for the friends I read it to).
Some columns can be considered offensive, but if you know Jeremy Clarkson and you cannot handle that, just don’t read it!
Despite his fame, I absolutely loved his way of writing and every single conclusion was a surprise or extremely funny. So yes, I highly recommend this book (if you can set aside your personal opinion on some matters and see the humour in it).
Some columns can be considered offensive, but if you know Jeremy Clarkson and you cannot handle that, just don’t read it!
Despite his fame, I absolutely loved his way of writing and every single conclusion was a surprise or extremely funny. So yes, I highly recommend this book (if you can set aside your personal opinion on some matters and see the humour in it).
April 29, 2025
bardzo lubię czytać felietony, zwłaszcza gdy w głowie słyszę jak autor je czyta na głos
July 12, 2019
Absolutely Hilarious.
July 13, 2021
Very traditional Clarkson wit and humour
December 13, 2018
I stumbled across this title on Clarkson's Instagram, and though I've never read any of his previous works I couldn't help myself: I went straight to Amazon and downloaded the title for my Kindle app.
...I am so thrilled that I did. I've been a fan of Clarkson through his work on Top Gear and the Grand Tour, but I have also become a fan of his writings as well. His voice is simply amazing: it translates so well to the written word and I can only imagine the laughing out loud that I would do if this were an audio book.
This was entertaining even from my American-reader perspective: though I am not British and though I've hardly the faintest idea of the social and political issues facing Great Britain, this still held mountains of humor and entertainment, and I'll go as far to say that I even learned something about the world beyond my sheltered American borders.
Definitely worth the read if you are a fan of Clarkson, and even if you aren't.
...I am so thrilled that I did. I've been a fan of Clarkson through his work on Top Gear and the Grand Tour, but I have also become a fan of his writings as well. His voice is simply amazing: it translates so well to the written word and I can only imagine the laughing out loud that I would do if this were an audio book.
This was entertaining even from my American-reader perspective: though I am not British and though I've hardly the faintest idea of the social and political issues facing Great Britain, this still held mountains of humor and entertainment, and I'll go as far to say that I even learned something about the world beyond my sheltered American borders.
Definitely worth the read if you are a fan of Clarkson, and even if you aren't.
September 12, 2019
The undisputed King of Offending People is back with another collection of hilarious articles taken from his newspaper column. This time we follow Clarkson's departure from that pokey little motoring show that we shall not name, through Brexit, deaths of close friends, illness and of course that Amazon deal.
This made me laugh out loud and yet I felt really emotional in places, particularly (spoiler) the touching tribute to the genius of A.A. Gill (so, so missed).
A hearty five star read for me.
This made me laugh out loud and yet I felt really emotional in places, particularly (spoiler) the touching tribute to the genius of A.A. Gill (so, so missed).
A hearty five star read for me.
September 19, 2019
Bitter
Just bitter rantings, not up to his usual quality offerings. Try older books if you want the insightfull and funny musings.
Just bitter rantings, not up to his usual quality offerings. Try older books if you want the insightfull and funny musings.
January 5, 2019
While reading this book there was a particular paragraph that made me laugh out loud when I read it. Then I read it again and laughed out loud again. Then again and again! I then tried to read it to a family member and could not because I started laughing, again! So it is with Jeremy Clarkson and his latest collection of published columns. He is opinionated, controversial and provocative, but most of all he is funny.
I am sure there are many, myself included, that do not always agree with Mr. Clarkson's mindset, but I can also say that about one of my favorite authors. (This particular author is so far right he is looking backwards. Gun nuts call him a gun nut and his intolerance knows no bounds. But he writes excellent stories and that, at the end of the day, is all I particularly care about him) So I am prepared to read through some of Jeremy's skewed observations as they presented with wit and a sledge hammer.
I heartily recommend this compilation of articles from 2016 and 2017 that cover political, social and personal ground with something that is sure to offend just about everyone. But, trust me, you will never have so much fun being offended. (Oh, it was the first paragraph on page 297, if you were curious)
I am sure there are many, myself included, that do not always agree with Mr. Clarkson's mindset, but I can also say that about one of my favorite authors. (This particular author is so far right he is looking backwards. Gun nuts call him a gun nut and his intolerance knows no bounds. But he writes excellent stories and that, at the end of the day, is all I particularly care about him) So I am prepared to read through some of Jeremy's skewed observations as they presented with wit and a sledge hammer.
I heartily recommend this compilation of articles from 2016 and 2017 that cover political, social and personal ground with something that is sure to offend just about everyone. But, trust me, you will never have so much fun being offended. (Oh, it was the first paragraph on page 297, if you were curious)
April 22, 2020
This is the eighth book (I think) of Jeremy Clarkson's that I have read. So, you could say I'm a bit of a fan.
Not of his other books that focus on the performance of various cars whose names consist of seemingly random letters and numbers, but these reproductions of his weekly articles for the Sunday Times.
The first thing to like, is the short, punchy, delivery, each chapter coming in around the one thousand word mark. For readers like me with only short windows of time to read, or indeed those with a short attention span, this is ideal. No need to continuously backtrack to pick up on any plot / character details. Just read; put down; pick up andd read again.
Then of course there's the humour.
I know Jeremy Clarkson has his namby pamby detractors - but I find it difficult to believe that those who condemn him for being bullish and arrogant or whatever, do not privately think the same way in many situations. Oh, please God, I hope so - what a terribly boring world we would live in if everyone was so easily offended / outraged.
Personally, I find Jeremy Clarkson's humour spot-on. He is one of a very few writers who can actually make me laugh out loud.
As this book did - frequently.
Not of his other books that focus on the performance of various cars whose names consist of seemingly random letters and numbers, but these reproductions of his weekly articles for the Sunday Times.
The first thing to like, is the short, punchy, delivery, each chapter coming in around the one thousand word mark. For readers like me with only short windows of time to read, or indeed those with a short attention span, this is ideal. No need to continuously backtrack to pick up on any plot / character details. Just read; put down; pick up andd read again.
Then of course there's the humour.
I know Jeremy Clarkson has his namby pamby detractors - but I find it difficult to believe that those who condemn him for being bullish and arrogant or whatever, do not privately think the same way in many situations. Oh, please God, I hope so - what a terribly boring world we would live in if everyone was so easily offended / outraged.
Personally, I find Jeremy Clarkson's humour spot-on. He is one of a very few writers who can actually make me laugh out loud.
As this book did - frequently.
February 7, 2023
Tych zbiorów felietonów Jeremiego Clarksona po polsku jest chyba z siedem. Przeczytałem z cztery. Podziwiam ludzi, z których palców wylewają się z niezwykłą łatwością teksty pełne anegdot, dobrego humoru i bezkompromisowości. Taki talent miał Leopold Tyrmand, który chodził na zawody tenisowe i bokserskie z maszyną do pisania i z trybun pisał relacje dla Agencji Prasowo-Informacyjnej.
Taki był Paweł Zarzeczny, piszący o piłce. Jerzy Pilch był takim felietonistą. Taki talent ma Krzysztof Varga. Masa osób kupowała Przegląd Sportowy, Tygodnik Powszechny i Magazyn Wyborczej tylko dla tych felietonów. Byłem jednym z nich.
Taki talent ma również Clarkson. Wyobrażam sobie, że wstaje około południa, w hotelowym pokoju, na ciężkim kacu, w jakimś dziwnym miejscu świata i odbiera telefon z redakcji, że miał do przedwczoraj wysłać tekst. Więc siada z bólem głowy do laptopa ze szklanką wody z cytryną albo jakimś klinowym płynem i wypluwa z siebie kolejny świetny felieton inspirowany jakimś prasowym nagłówkiem, nocną rozmową przy whiskey z jakimś przypadkowym towarzyszem, wiadomością usłyszaną w porannych wiadomościach lub jakimś innym, z pozoru błahym, szczegółem codzienności.
Clarkson stoi na szczycie barykady w każdej politycznej, ideologicznej, geopolitycznej wojnie. Staje w poprzek, jak okoń, politycznej poprawności, bez popadania w skrajność. Czasami jest poprawny, czasami jest do bólu kontrowersyjny i prowokacyjny. Ma swoje zdanie, a pozycja, jaką sobie zbudował, pozwala mu wyrażać je do bólu dosadnie.
Teksty Clarksona są lekkie i nadają się doskonale jako lektura odświeżająca po ciężkiej literaturze, jako opowiastki do czytania na kiblu (wbrew powszechnej opinii, dobór „literatury toaletowej” jest istotną decyzją dla każdego, kto lubi czytać), na plaży podczas urlopu albo w metrze podczas podróży do pracy. W niczym nie umniejsza to kunsztu tego faceta. Te felietony świetnie oddają brytyjską mentalność, umysł faceta w dojrzałym wieku, który potrafi być mentalnie młody, sybaryty, miłośnika pięknych kobiet i szybkich samochodów i dobrych alkoholi.
Taki był Paweł Zarzeczny, piszący o piłce. Jerzy Pilch był takim felietonistą. Taki talent ma Krzysztof Varga. Masa osób kupowała Przegląd Sportowy, Tygodnik Powszechny i Magazyn Wyborczej tylko dla tych felietonów. Byłem jednym z nich.
Taki talent ma również Clarkson. Wyobrażam sobie, że wstaje około południa, w hotelowym pokoju, na ciężkim kacu, w jakimś dziwnym miejscu świata i odbiera telefon z redakcji, że miał do przedwczoraj wysłać tekst. Więc siada z bólem głowy do laptopa ze szklanką wody z cytryną albo jakimś klinowym płynem i wypluwa z siebie kolejny świetny felieton inspirowany jakimś prasowym nagłówkiem, nocną rozmową przy whiskey z jakimś przypadkowym towarzyszem, wiadomością usłyszaną w porannych wiadomościach lub jakimś innym, z pozoru błahym, szczegółem codzienności.
Clarkson stoi na szczycie barykady w każdej politycznej, ideologicznej, geopolitycznej wojnie. Staje w poprzek, jak okoń, politycznej poprawności, bez popadania w skrajność. Czasami jest poprawny, czasami jest do bólu kontrowersyjny i prowokacyjny. Ma swoje zdanie, a pozycja, jaką sobie zbudował, pozwala mu wyrażać je do bólu dosadnie.
Teksty Clarksona są lekkie i nadają się doskonale jako lektura odświeżająca po ciężkiej literaturze, jako opowiastki do czytania na kiblu (wbrew powszechnej opinii, dobór „literatury toaletowej” jest istotną decyzją dla każdego, kto lubi czytać), na plaży podczas urlopu albo w metrze podczas podróży do pracy. W niczym nie umniejsza to kunsztu tego faceta. Te felietony świetnie oddają brytyjską mentalność, umysł faceta w dojrzałym wieku, który potrafi być mentalnie młody, sybaryty, miłośnika pięknych kobiet i szybkich samochodów i dobrych alkoholi.
January 26, 2021
Christmas Present from daughter, so almost certainly remaindered. Have read one other of his books were he majored on cars and other engineering subjects and it was fine, as long as you remember it is part technical and part comedy.
This book is a collection of his column from the Times, and are topical and often political. Don't think my daughter, a Labour supporter, realises how Right Wing Jeremy is, but the clue is in the paper. Always ready to cause controversy, bit too many articles caused me apoplexy and a few laughs, but some, where you had some agreement, were funny.
One drawback is that you realise that he had a few "standard" jokes, you might forget them if they are separated by two or three months, but after a day or two they do jar.
This book is a collection of his column from the Times, and are topical and often political. Don't think my daughter, a Labour supporter, realises how Right Wing Jeremy is, but the clue is in the paper. Always ready to cause controversy, bit too many articles caused me apoplexy and a few laughs, but some, where you had some agreement, were funny.
One drawback is that you realise that he had a few "standard" jokes, you might forget them if they are separated by two or three months, but after a day or two they do jar.
February 12, 2019
Another collection of Mr Clarkson’s articles from the Sunday Times. An interesting period too, covering just after his departure from Top Gear, and also the Brexit referendum.
But, for some reason his anti pc comments don’t work so well this time, there is a little repetition and some more political views than usual. Normally he will poke fun at absurdity and organisations and individuals that deserve it. Here he does do that but not often enough or amusingly enough. Maybe he is trying to expand on his normal range, but the people who buy his books like his “norm”, so it feels a bit odd.
So okay and an easy enough read, but not up to the standard of the previous books.
But, for some reason his anti pc comments don’t work so well this time, there is a little repetition and some more political views than usual. Normally he will poke fun at absurdity and organisations and individuals that deserve it. Here he does do that but not often enough or amusingly enough. Maybe he is trying to expand on his normal range, but the people who buy his books like his “norm”, so it feels a bit odd.
So okay and an easy enough read, but not up to the standard of the previous books.
June 8, 2019
The usual from Clarkson, his articles that appeared in the Sunday Telegraph. Entertaining and witty and sometimes controversial observations on life, mainly in the UK but sometimes on the world’s politic stage. Definitely worth a read if you like his previous books.
There are many people who don’t like Jeremy Clarkson. But I love him! I enjoy his acerbic wit tremendously. Not many individuals are so fortunate to be able to have a column to write opinions on any given subject-matter.
Clarkson writes what many of us think and personally feel but are too afraid to say.
Bloody Love IT!!
There are many people who don’t like Jeremy Clarkson. But I love him! I enjoy his acerbic wit tremendously. Not many individuals are so fortunate to be able to have a column to write opinions on any given subject-matter.
Clarkson writes what many of us think and personally feel but are too afraid to say.
Bloody Love IT!!
January 12, 2020
After quite a while since the previous publication, it was refreshing to read through the most recent collection of column articles from The Sunday Times by Jeremy Clarkson. In a nutshell, the turmoil in his professional and personal life (2015-2017) has had an impact on the way he perceives certain dimensions of life, yet the unique wit and ability to simplify observations ad absurdum remained the same. It is only recommended to readers that consume his creations with the right degree of distance.
Light, humorous and amusing, just as the Sunday morning should be.
Light, humorous and amusing, just as the Sunday morning should be.
November 20, 2018
Geez, Mr. Clarkson, you too?
Are things so bad that even Jeremy Clarkson can't make them funny? Apparently so. Clarkson has always used hyperbole and his created persona to troll the universe for laughs. But his anger has gotten the better of him on this one. He can still write, but the joke has turned sour. More times than not, he comes across as a real, live troll.
Are things so bad that even Jeremy Clarkson can't make them funny? Apparently so. Clarkson has always used hyperbole and his created persona to troll the universe for laughs. But his anger has gotten the better of him on this one. He can still write, but the joke has turned sour. More times than not, he comes across as a real, live troll.
July 12, 2023
I like Jeremy Clarkson and if you do too you are sure to enjoy this. He writes exactly as he sounds on TV and although I don't agree with everything he says I agree with almost all of it. The book is just a reprint of previously published newspaper articles so if you have read those don't buy the book.
May 27, 2019
The usual tome from Clarkson - articles that appeared in the Sunday Telegraph. Entertaining and witty and sometimes controversial observations on life, mainly in the UK but sometimes on the world’s politic stage. Worth a read if you like his previous books.
July 22, 2019
I liked this, I’m a fan of Clarkson and his writing, It really made me laugh in some parts but I just don’t think this collection was as good as his previous stuff, just didn’t hit the mark for me. Still enjoyable
October 18, 2019
É um livro de crónicas, onde Clarkson aparece totalmente ao seu estilo. Opiniões controversas, mas humor afiado e sempre bem escrito. Experiências pessoais, cenários políticos e sociais, nada escapa. Um must-read para fãs
June 17, 2020
What I like about the Clarkson books is the ability for me to able to remove my brain and just let him froth and bother for my own amusement. I may not agree with everything he says, but I do enjoy his writing and have been a fan since the 80s - old Top Gear. Like, really old Top Gear!
July 12, 2021
Absolutely fantastic book from a really funny writer! A collection of his column articles from 2015 (immediately following his departure from Top Gear) to the end of 2017. Really vivid, topical and hilarious. It's also interesting to look back on - a commentary on / reminder of a pre-covid world.
December 18, 2021
The 7th collection of Jeremy Clarksons columns from the Sunday Times from March 2015 to December 2017. A fascinating collection of the authors views on modern life and his refusal to bow to political correctness and say what he really thinks and probably what most normal people think too!
June 12, 2022
A light and mildly amusing collection of Jeremy Clarkson newspaper column from several years ago. The most amusing parts are where he says something outrageous, and then is outraged at the reaction he receives because obviously he didn’t mean it like that, hence the title of the book
November 27, 2022
Surprisingly did not enjoy this one - felt very tired when reading it, like it was just re-hashed ideas and forced controversy and humour. I'm a bit gutted, as i loved all previous Clarkson collections.
December 5, 2023
Mr Marmite - love him or not he IS a funny guy and a good writer of outrageous but entertaining commentaries - very clever and the master of 'the put downer by wild exaggeration" .
Could not help myself - I really enjoyed the majority these articles = LOL many times over.
Could not help myself - I really enjoyed the majority these articles = LOL many times over.
January 17, 2019
Another excellent collection of snappy commentary on society.
January 25, 2019
Having read every single book Clarkson has ever written, I am some what of a connoisseur. This did not disappoint. 8/10
February 3, 2019
Somewhat controversial, sometimes misguided, others genius. Regardless of opinion – I definitely don't subscribe to all – a writer first and foremost.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews