And on That Bombshell

Inside the Madness and Genius of TOP GEAR

By: Richard Porter

Narrated by: Richard Porter, Ben Elliot

For 13 years, 22 series and 175 shows, Richard Porter was script editor of Top Gear, from the first faltering pilot episode in 2002 until the very last show presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2015.

Along the way they destroyed cars, sparked diplomatic incidents, set fire to caravans, almost killed one of the presenters, and somehow transformed Top Gear from a shabby BBC Two motoring show into an Emmy-winning, record-breaking, planet-straddling behemoth.

And on That Bombshell tells stories from behind the scenes of one of the world's most successful television programmes, taking in driving monkeys, broken bones, flying cars, angry rednecks and Jeremy Clarkson's secret nickname.

Richard Porter provides a unique insight into how the programmes were made, revealing behind-the-scenes disasters more comical than anything seen on screen and explaining what it was like to work inside the self-professed 'poky motoring show' that accidentally became a global phenomenon.

Read by Ben Elliot and with an introduction read by the author.

©2015 Richard Porter (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group

great book

loved it, gave me the behind the scene look of my favorite show. goodbye top gear

For Top Gear enthusiasts!

This was a really fun listen. While there are definitely some slower parts of the book, the real meat is the anecdotal stories about Clarkson, Hammond, and May from Porter. I feel like I learned a lot about these 3 fascinating individuals, and I think this is a must-buy for any Top Gear/Grand Tour fan.

Just an exceptionally biased topgear fan

By pengame alone, the book is probably a 3-4 stars. But I'm a topgear fan, hence the 5.

Doesn't get bogged down

I finished it over the course of two marathon sessions, it's a fantastic look within the rise and fall of Top Gear, that quirky motoring show from across the pond.

A Wonderful Story told by the right man

The true story of Top Gear told in great details by the man who was there & lived it day to day. I've watched EVERY episode several times, it never gets old to me. This book filled in the gaps of what we as huge fans didnt see on the show. Thank You Richard Porter for "filling in the gaps" to a huge fans obsession.

A long time favorite show!

I watched you before the Internet and now have numerous YouTube boomarked segments. Good stuff!

Huge Fan Approved!

I loved Top Gear with these three guys. I love the new Grand Tour. The three of them have such an engaging relationship that it is no wonder they all got along. The backstory to how it all came to be and how it all progressed is absolutely engaging and really wonderful to listened to. At times I felt myself laughing and utterly shocked at what I was hearing. To hear how it all fell apart from one of the people who was there adds clarity to the whole story. The media delivery of this news was utter crap and twisted fabrication of the truth. Thank you Mr. Porter for setting the record straight. Thankfully, with the Top Gear debacle in their past, the three have gone on to much better things. I also find it tremendously honorable that James May and Richard Hammond would not do anything without their partner in crime.

This book is well worth the time and I highly recommend it.

lovely

We thoroughly enjoyed this book. It came along as part of a road trip, and I honestly feel like those boys are part of my family.

If you like Top Gear....

A very well done and well read back story on one of the most unique TV shows of the last 25 years.
Interesting, funny and informative; read by the author and the guy who lived it. Fully enjoyable book.

Absolutely fascinating!!!

Having binged top gear multiple times it’s amazing hearing the behind the scenes story. As most would say, I could listen to this for days but am thrilled there is an inside scoop at all! Thank you Richard for writing a phenomenal book and for being a part of a phenomenal show. All top gear fans will enjoy this and even people who aren’t fans should as well. Now on to Hammond’s book!