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Motorworld
Jeremy Clarkson invites us to Motorworld , his take on different cultures and the cars that they drive. There are ways and means of getting about that don't involve four wheels, but in this slice of vintage Clarkson, Jeremy isn't much interested in them. Back in 1996, he took himself off to 12 countries (okay, 11—he goes to America twice) in search of the hows, whys, and wherefores of different nationalities and their relationships with cars. There were a few questions he needed answers Why, for instance, is it that Italians are more interested in looking good than looking where they are going? Why do Indians crash a lot? How can an Arab describe himself as "not a rich man" with four of the world's most expensive cars in his drive? And why have the otherwise neutral Swiss declared war on the car? From Cuba to Iceland, Australia to Vietnam, Japan to Texas, Jeremy Clarkson tells us of his adventures on and off four wheels as he seeks to discover just what it is that makes our motorworld tick over.
197 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
34 people are currently reading
667 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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August 9, 2014
In the early nineties, Jeremy Clarkson had outgrown Top Gear (or so he thought) and embarked upon making several other television series, culminating, at the end of that decade, with his own chat-show. Most interesting of these was Motorworld and the book based on the show is probably Clarkson's best written work.
The show ran for two series and in each episode, Clarkson would visit a country (or, in a couple of cases, a smaller entity) and use that nation's relationship with cars to explore elements of their collective psyche. Of course, the author is famously full of bombast, hyperbole and inconsistency but in many instances these programs did prove to be at least slightly revelatory and go beyond the stereotypes so lovingly cherished by the British.
The book follows the two series (and one special) pretty faithfully and devotes one chapter apiece to Japan, Vietnam, Detroit, Iceland, Italy, India, Monaco, Cuba, Switzerland, Australia, Texas, Dubai and the United Kingdom. Clarkson has long been one of Britain's premier columnists: his writing is superb and, famously, even his car reviews are more contemporary commentary. This format works for the simple reason that it gives him the opportunity to write longer essays on a specific subject (it's reassuring that his prose can adapt to a longer format so well). All of his trademark flippancy and humour are evident but he writes with a more sustained focus than elsewhere.
When the BBC published the first edition of this book, in 1996, however, they also chose to include four columns (first published in a variety of publications) presenting some of the antics filmed in Extreme Machines. With a considerably narrower focus than Motorworld this program had a much smaller audience and since it was not first broadcast until after this book was published the intention was obviously to market the series. Subsequent editions have, of course, maintained these extras but they tend to detract from the rest of the volume; feeling as tacked-on as they are.
Overall then, anyone who enjoys the author's more recent, column-based, output would certainly find a lot to enjoy here and fans of humorous travel writing would be equally satisfied. This book may well prove to be Clarkson's magnum opus; presumably he still has a fair few books to write but, for now, this is his best.
The show ran for two series and in each episode, Clarkson would visit a country (or, in a couple of cases, a smaller entity) and use that nation's relationship with cars to explore elements of their collective psyche. Of course, the author is famously full of bombast, hyperbole and inconsistency but in many instances these programs did prove to be at least slightly revelatory and go beyond the stereotypes so lovingly cherished by the British.
The book follows the two series (and one special) pretty faithfully and devotes one chapter apiece to Japan, Vietnam, Detroit, Iceland, Italy, India, Monaco, Cuba, Switzerland, Australia, Texas, Dubai and the United Kingdom. Clarkson has long been one of Britain's premier columnists: his writing is superb and, famously, even his car reviews are more contemporary commentary. This format works for the simple reason that it gives him the opportunity to write longer essays on a specific subject (it's reassuring that his prose can adapt to a longer format so well). All of his trademark flippancy and humour are evident but he writes with a more sustained focus than elsewhere.
When the BBC published the first edition of this book, in 1996, however, they also chose to include four columns (first published in a variety of publications) presenting some of the antics filmed in Extreme Machines. With a considerably narrower focus than Motorworld this program had a much smaller audience and since it was not first broadcast until after this book was published the intention was obviously to market the series. Subsequent editions have, of course, maintained these extras but they tend to detract from the rest of the volume; feeling as tacked-on as they are.
Overall then, anyone who enjoys the author's more recent, column-based, output would certainly find a lot to enjoy here and fans of humorous travel writing would be equally satisfied. This book may well prove to be Clarkson's magnum opus; presumably he still has a fair few books to write but, for now, this is his best.
August 26, 2025
Bardzo fajna książka dla kogoś kto choć trochę interesuje się motoryzacją. Polecam przeczytać w oryginalnym języku, bo mega ciekawie się zauważa wszystkie niuanse.
September 24, 2019
Скажу сразу: я от автомобилей далёк так же, как Джереми Кларксон от особенностей управления содоренегационным котлом в целлюлозно-бумажном производстве.
Но за тем, что делает Кларксон — стараюсь следить. Для большинства этот человек — ведущий одного из самого популярного ток-шоу на телевидении — «Top Gear». А, помимо этого, он же колумнист ряда британских изданий. И там, за рамками мирового автопрома, Кларкон продолжает оставаться редкой язвой, злобным циником, неполиткорректным и острым на язык хамоватым болтуном, способным с огоньком раскатать в блин практически всё до чего дотянется. Выдержки из его статей и передач с лёгкостью расползаются на цитаты. В общем, Джереми Кларксон — матёрый человечище и молодец каких мало.
«Вокруг света с Кларксоном» были написаны во время работы над циклом передач «Мир моторов» ещё в середине девяностых. Кларксон рассказывает о некоторых странах мира (Италия, Швейцария, Австралия, Япония, Исландия, Индия, Куба) с позиции автолюбителя. Пытается провести параллели между национальным характером и популярными на тот период моделями. Путешествия по странам полны неожиданных находок и непредсказуемых выводов. Родина «Ламборджини» показалась автору страной противоречий, Исландия вызвала вулканическое недоумение, Индия в глазах Кларксона предстала грязной непостижимой страной, которую всё равно любишь непонятно за что. Япония нагнала на автора жути. Для каждой страны находится россыпь точнейших и остроумных высказываний, наводящих на мысль о том, что все профессиональные юмористы заняты очень не своим делом. Есть, правда, у Кларксона один момент: одна из самых уничижительных метафор Клаксона — это советский автопром. Сравнение с нашими автомобилями возникают всякий раз, когда у автора не хватает слов, чтобы выразить убогость и ужас того, что он видит. Но если вы думаете, что свою старушку Британию Кларксон будет выгораживать — это будет глубокой ошибкой. Свою ненаглядную Родину автор утюжит так, что только визг (тормозов) стоит. Но, тем не менее, хоть Кларксон, и называет Британию родиной пробок, в финале книги расплывается в симпатиях, искренне гордясь своей родиной, вот такой, какой она есть.
Возможно, модели некоторых упоминаемых в книжке автомобилей, какие-то наблюдения Кларксона за бытом и нравами уже не так актуальны, но это, по большому счёту, не играет никакой роли. Потому что очерки Кларксона стоит читать не из-за интересных фактов (тем более, что Кларксон, есть подозрение, ради усиления эффекта может что-то и присочинить), а ради текстов высокого качества. Кларксон мастерски выстраивает композицию, сказывается телевизионный опыт, каждый очерк состоит из нескольких живописных эпизодов, которые, в целом, и составляют картину оригинальную и живую.
Кларксона стоит читать потому, что хороший стиль, отменный юмор и здравый смысл не стареют никогда.
Но за тем, что делает Кларксон — стараюсь следить. Для большинства этот человек — ведущий одного из самого популярного ток-шоу на телевидении — «Top Gear». А, помимо этого, он же колумнист ряда британских изданий. И там, за рамками мирового автопрома, Кларкон продолжает оставаться редкой язвой, злобным циником, неполиткорректным и острым на язык хамоватым болтуном, способным с огоньком раскатать в блин практически всё до чего дотянется. Выдержки из его статей и передач с лёгкостью расползаются на цитаты. В общем, Джереми Кларксон — матёрый человечище и молодец каких мало.
«Вокруг света с Кларксоном» были написаны во время работы над циклом передач «Мир моторов» ещё в середине девяностых. Кларксон рассказывает о некоторых странах мира (Италия, Швейцария, Австралия, Япония, Исландия, Индия, Куба) с позиции автолюбителя. Пытается провести параллели между национальным характером и популярными на тот период моделями. Путешествия по странам полны неожиданных находок и непредсказуемых выводов. Родина «Ламборджини» показалась автору страной противоречий, Исландия вызвала вулканическое недоумение, Индия в глазах Кларксона предстала грязной непостижимой страной, которую всё равно любишь непонятно за что. Япония нагнала на автора жути. Для каждой страны находится россыпь точнейших и остроумных высказываний, наводящих на мысль о том, что все профессиональные юмористы заняты очень не своим делом. Есть, правда, у Кларксона один момент: одна из самых уничижительных метафор Клаксона — это советский автопром. Сравнение с нашими автомобилями возникают всякий раз, когда у автора не хватает слов, чтобы выразить убогость и ужас того, что он видит. Но если вы думаете, что свою старушку Британию Кларксон будет выгораживать — это будет глубокой ошибкой. Свою ненаглядную Родину автор утюжит так, что только визг (тормозов) стоит. Но, тем не менее, хоть Кларксон, и называет Британию родиной пробок, в финале книги расплывается в симпатиях, искренне гордясь своей родиной, вот такой, какой она есть.
Возможно, модели некоторых упоминаемых в книжке автомобилей, какие-то наблюдения Кларксона за бытом и нравами уже не так актуальны, но это, по большому счёту, не играет никакой роли. Потому что очерки Кларксона стоит читать не из-за интересных фактов (тем более, что Кларксон, есть подозрение, ради усиления эффекта может что-то и присочинить), а ради текстов высокого качества. Кларксон мастерски выстраивает композицию, сказывается телевизионный опыт, каждый очерк состоит из нескольких живописных эпизодов, которые, в целом, и составляют картину оригинальную и живую.
Кларксона стоит читать потому, что хороший стиль, отменный юмор и здравый смысл не стареют никогда.
December 18, 2011
A fascinating read. I switch to this book from Jeremy Clarkson’s According to me, which was very humorous, but I figured, might as well read the first book he wrote first.
It’s not that funny. There’s good laugh out loud moments mind you, but it’s not a comedy book. It’s more of an interesting travelogue written by someone who loves cars and thinks about them more than anything else. There’s some comments about food, hotels, and people, but most of the time you’re going to read about cars you can find, traffic, and everything else Jeremy Clarkson is going to be interested in. The chapters are very short but interesting, and the stories are interesting.
There is two downsides the first is it’s not as hilariously funny as recent books, he didn’t have his wit fully developed at that point. The other downside is the book end a little short, and then there’s 4 pieces that are experiences rather than stories. And while good, they were too brief and too shallow to be as enjoyable as stories of running around Vietnam, or the traffic in India. Though overall a fantastic read, and worth reading by someone who isn’t totally absorbed by cars, unlike what you would expect.
It’s not that funny. There’s good laugh out loud moments mind you, but it’s not a comedy book. It’s more of an interesting travelogue written by someone who loves cars and thinks about them more than anything else. There’s some comments about food, hotels, and people, but most of the time you’re going to read about cars you can find, traffic, and everything else Jeremy Clarkson is going to be interested in. The chapters are very short but interesting, and the stories are interesting.
There is two downsides the first is it’s not as hilariously funny as recent books, he didn’t have his wit fully developed at that point. The other downside is the book end a little short, and then there’s 4 pieces that are experiences rather than stories. And while good, they were too brief and too shallow to be as enjoyable as stories of running around Vietnam, or the traffic in India. Though overall a fantastic read, and worth reading by someone who isn’t totally absorbed by cars, unlike what you would expect.
November 6, 2018
Легкая книга об 11 странах (США повторяется) с заметным акцентом на автомобили (но не только о них). Информация не уникальна и немного устарела (лет на 20), но мне понравилось читать и про кубинский сервис, и про швейцарский милитаризм, и про индийский фатализм и даже про арабского шейха с его гигантской палаткой.
October 31, 2009
Ya gotta love Clarkson.
June 23, 2019
Clarkson is funny. Read this book knowing it's his version cars. Without a strong imagination on what he writes there is no point reading this book.
February 18, 2022
This is unironically one of my favourite books. Clarkson writes exactly like he speaks and I love it.
I read this in secondary school - my school had a very rough worn out donated copy that I remember checking out and rereading again and again. My school then got rid of a bunch of books and to this day I still regret not asking if I could take it. I loved it to pieces. (Also I can’t find the edition of the one I read and it haunts me.)
All it takes for me to remember that Jeremy Clarkson actually has stellar writing chops is reading a page of this book - he’s not just one of the three stooges on Top Gear. It’s really funny and quite witty at times and he puts real heart into his writing. It’s not just about a book about cars, but more how people and particularly countries relate to cars. I think it gives off the “vibe” and culture of the country better than some travel shows.
I read this in secondary school - my school had a very rough worn out donated copy that I remember checking out and rereading again and again. My school then got rid of a bunch of books and to this day I still regret not asking if I could take it. I loved it to pieces. (Also I can’t find the edition of the one I read and it haunts me.)
All it takes for me to remember that Jeremy Clarkson actually has stellar writing chops is reading a page of this book - he’s not just one of the three stooges on Top Gear. It’s really funny and quite witty at times and he puts real heart into his writing. It’s not just about a book about cars, but more how people and particularly countries relate to cars. I think it gives off the “vibe” and culture of the country better than some travel shows.
July 25, 2023
A collection of brief essays on the various countries that Clarkson visited as part of long-forgotten TV series MOTORWORLD, making this a tie-in. The author is well known for his journalistic work and I can report that he comes across in prose exactly as he does in speech; there's no ghostwriter here. He's larger than life, outspoken, happy to offend and criticise, and uses seemingly every opportunity to add in his own distinctive brand of humour, the majority of which is amusing enough. You learn less about the countries he visits than you do about Clarkson himself, but some of the situations are novel and outrageous. There are plenty of assumptions and one-sided views, of course, and sometimes his ignorance is more than obvious (kung fu films on TV in Japan? Seriously?), but overall this is lighthearted and likeable.
January 5, 2025
I am a big fan of the trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May! So much so that I have Top Gear saved on my Google Drive and have a Prime membership, so that i can watch The Grand Tour on repeat for the millionth time and then once more.
The humor is slapstick and dark at times and these guys are good.
So when i came across a collection of Clarkson books at a LockThe Box event, i picked up 6 of him for 5”the price of a couple of beers at a pub.
Clarkson is funny and Motorworld talks about this experiences at 13 countries in the world over a year. He is hilarious.
While some references are hard to come by, specially if you’re not a car enthusiast, but the overall narrative leads to a good laugh.
Time to drive thru his other books now!
The humor is slapstick and dark at times and these guys are good.
So when i came across a collection of Clarkson books at a LockThe Box event, i picked up 6 of him for 5”the price of a couple of beers at a pub.
Clarkson is funny and Motorworld talks about this experiences at 13 countries in the world over a year. He is hilarious.
While some references are hard to come by, specially if you’re not a car enthusiast, but the overall narrative leads to a good laugh.
Time to drive thru his other books now!
Read
September 16, 2020Love him or loathe him, he writes as he speaks. There is never any doubt that it his own work. I actually like reading Jeremy Clarkson as it's an easy read, mostly in definable chapters you can pick up and put down, and it's always entertaining.
May 14, 2022
This one was quite a fun read, I loved how many countries they explored. and Jeremy Clarksons sense of humour does filter through in his writing. Looking forward to reading his others. A short little read but it was good.
August 3, 2024
Basically just flying Clarkson around the world and having a holiday in a few countries, then writes a snippet involving a car in that country with his usual sarcasm and bias.
1 star book, only gave it stars because I like his sarcasm and bias
1 star book, only gave it stars because I like his sarcasm and bias
October 26, 2017
Stories from his various travels for Motorworld, some of these trips served as inspiration for skits on Top Gear, like the Vietnam episode.
April 5, 2019
cool
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
March 28, 2023
Funny in parts but dated
December 27, 2024
Light, laugh out loud typically opinionated Clarkson
June 16, 2025
A whistle stop tour of the world through the eyes of Clarkson. Very humours and a great accompaniment to the show of the same name. Highly recommend
May 5, 2011
A full review can be found on my blog here : http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com
For anyone who doesn't know, Jeremy Clarkson is a presenter on the popular BBC programme "Top Gear". He is opinionated, arrogant and doesn't hold back; indeed there are many people out there who can't stand him at all. However I have always found him to also be rather funny and I like the fact that he doesn't pretend to be something different, you always get what you see.
In regards to the book itself, from what I can ascertain, Motorworld was his first published book and is based upon the 1995 BBC television series of the same name. It is basically a collection of his opinions on the driving habits and car cultures of a few different places around the world. As always, he doesn't pull any punches and is sometimes so politically incorrect that it is unbelievable he actually got it published when you consider the PC times we now live in.
Overall, I found this collection to be funny and laughed out loud several times, although I do think that it is probably my least favourite of his books that I have read. To be honest, I am not sure why exactly, but I think it may be due to the age of the collection as some of the comments he makes about various places no longer match what I think the places are actually like now. Either way though, if you like Jeremy Clarkson then you will find this collection funny and if you don't like him then you will hate it.
For anyone who doesn't know, Jeremy Clarkson is a presenter on the popular BBC programme "Top Gear". He is opinionated, arrogant and doesn't hold back; indeed there are many people out there who can't stand him at all. However I have always found him to also be rather funny and I like the fact that he doesn't pretend to be something different, you always get what you see.
In regards to the book itself, from what I can ascertain, Motorworld was his first published book and is based upon the 1995 BBC television series of the same name. It is basically a collection of his opinions on the driving habits and car cultures of a few different places around the world. As always, he doesn't pull any punches and is sometimes so politically incorrect that it is unbelievable he actually got it published when you consider the PC times we now live in.
Overall, I found this collection to be funny and laughed out loud several times, although I do think that it is probably my least favourite of his books that I have read. To be honest, I am not sure why exactly, but I think it may be due to the age of the collection as some of the comments he makes about various places no longer match what I think the places are actually like now. Either way though, if you like Jeremy Clarkson then you will find this collection funny and if you don't like him then you will hate it.
August 9, 2013
Clarkson's Mottorworld is something else. From reading 1984 I went straight to cars. It's a huge change but nice to not think for a moment.
"Extremy funny" - Daily Telegraph says, and it truelly is.
Clarkson is just as witty as in Top Gear and I just love the way he describes things. Motorworld is quiet a blast there is no denying, and with all the insides about certain places it makes you want to go and visit it too; From the Gull Foss in Iceland to Monaco. It not only gets you in the mood to watch Tokyo drift again, no I now know where Paddigton Bear came from. But it's mainly all about motors, and for me that's fine too - I like it.
It was written +/- 10 years ago of course but it was still a great read and I am glad someone left it at the hotel, because it made me sad that I was out of books. (I am again tho..)
So quiet frankly, Clarkson's Motorworld deserves 4 stars in its own genre. Adored it! Can't wait to read more.
"Extremy funny" - Daily Telegraph says, and it truelly is.
Clarkson is just as witty as in Top Gear and I just love the way he describes things. Motorworld is quiet a blast there is no denying, and with all the insides about certain places it makes you want to go and visit it too; From the Gull Foss in Iceland to Monaco. It not only gets you in the mood to watch Tokyo drift again, no I now know where Paddigton Bear came from. But it's mainly all about motors, and for me that's fine too - I like it.
It was written +/- 10 years ago of course but it was still a great read and I am glad someone left it at the hotel, because it made me sad that I was out of books. (I am again tho..)
So quiet frankly, Clarkson's Motorworld deserves 4 stars in its own genre. Adored it! Can't wait to read more.
February 22, 2016
A lot of people don't like Jeremy Clarkson - in fact, a lot of them hate him. He is a polarising figure and can be completely inappropriate at the drop of a hat. He can be rude, racist, sexist and much more and he deserves to be called on it...
What he should also be called on is his great writing. This book, based on a doco series he did back in the mid-90's, was the first he ever published and it is simply great fun. In this book, Clarkson travels around the world to a dozen countries (well, he visits the US twice) and examines their motoring history, as well as the culture of cars and driving.
The best thing about this book is the humour. As an Australian, I grew up with British humour and sarcasm, so I found myself laughing out loud quite a lot throughout this book. He is unapologetic in his writing, no country, car or culture is safe as long as Jeremy is loose.
I certainly do recommend this book to fans of Jeremy, cars, car cultures of just travel writing.
Paul
What he should also be called on is his great writing. This book, based on a doco series he did back in the mid-90's, was the first he ever published and it is simply great fun. In this book, Clarkson travels around the world to a dozen countries (well, he visits the US twice) and examines their motoring history, as well as the culture of cars and driving.
The best thing about this book is the humour. As an Australian, I grew up with British humour and sarcasm, so I found myself laughing out loud quite a lot throughout this book. He is unapologetic in his writing, no country, car or culture is safe as long as Jeremy is loose.
I certainly do recommend this book to fans of Jeremy, cars, car cultures of just travel writing.
Paul
December 26, 2016
Even though it is the companion book to a television series, Motorworld needs none of that context.
It's more Clarkson's travelogue about the countries the show visited. Though still framed around cars, it nonetheless contains a lot of interesting trivia and tidbits that you'd expect. Clarkson started his career in newspapers and was already a skilled columnist when he wrote this. So his talents for wry observation, sarcasm and gross exaggeration are firmly on display.
But he is also insightful and engaging. Clarkson has an everyman touch that I now appreciate. I'm not a fan of Top Gear or his work in general, yet not a critic either. But Clarkson's knack for writing, combined with his observational wit, is a winner.
I still don't care about cars. But behind Motorworld's plainspoken buffoonery is a great author.
It's more Clarkson's travelogue about the countries the show visited. Though still framed around cars, it nonetheless contains a lot of interesting trivia and tidbits that you'd expect. Clarkson started his career in newspapers and was already a skilled columnist when he wrote this. So his talents for wry observation, sarcasm and gross exaggeration are firmly on display.
But he is also insightful and engaging. Clarkson has an everyman touch that I now appreciate. I'm not a fan of Top Gear or his work in general, yet not a critic either. But Clarkson's knack for writing, combined with his observational wit, is a winner.
I still don't care about cars. But behind Motorworld's plainspoken buffoonery is a great author.
March 5, 2008
I recently read this book because it was the only one I hadn't read of the Jeremy Clarkson books and I wasn't disappointed. This book is based around cars and the way different coutries are with them and it was amazing to read what Jeremy thought of not just the cars but of the coutries as well. To me the best chapter was regarding his visit to Iceland - I have never laughed so much as I did reading this. Jeremy Clarkson is a very funny man and doesn't hold back on what he says - I suppose that is why Top Gear works so well. If your a fan of Top Gear then you should definitly get hold of these books and give them a read because they are so funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2012
Picked this one up at the DI and read it on the plane to Dave's in Seattle for Christmas. I was surprised by how much I liked it. I really enjoy Top Gear and the banter between Clarkson and the others, but have come to terms with the fact that he is a big blowsy dork. I was surprised I guess that his writing was so good. I mean really quite good. It was a bit like my surprise at how excellent Steve Martin's novellas are. But not as much. Clarkson didn't surprise me with his content or depth, just the quality of the text. Anyway, it's a fun read.
December 31, 2008
Some of Clarkson's viewpoints/ stereotypes on the way people of certain cultures drive still resonate in my mind. The mentality described in this book is demonstrated on the local roadways continuously.
The book is a very humorous and is well told. The chapter on Icelandic drivers was particularly good.
The book is a very humorous and is well told. The chapter on Icelandic drivers was particularly good.
March 23, 2012
Enjoyed it much, it's a fun read. Just a bit dated (damn, I probably didn't evenhave a license when some of those articles were written), still it's great. Even if you're a Clarkson fan, there are some really shitty books and articles by him, luckily this one is not.
November 23, 2013
Great reading, well written, funny and at the same time also deep. It tells a lot about each country visited through the eyes of a car enthusiast and expert. So much can cars tell about the country and its inhabitants. Worth reading even if you don't care about cars much.
June 13, 2013
Jeremy Clarkson is very funny. I love Top Gear and I loved this book. Some of the car information went over my head, but I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of the countries that he went to. What a great travel book.
May 7, 2010
simmilar to the rest
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