The Top Gear Story

By: Martin Roach

Narrated by: Jerome Pride

This is the full story of the unstoppable rise of Clarkson, Hammond, May and The Stig – and how they have transformed an ordinary programme about cars into one of the most famous and best-loved TV programmes of the 21st century.

Reaching a peak in the 1990s thanks to presenter Jeremy Clarkson, the original series then faced the axe in 2001 – but Clarkson and producer Andy Wilman successfully pitched a new format to BBC bosses and Top Gear returned to become the irreverent, funny and often controversial show we now know and love.

The addition of co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May completed the Top Gear dream team and ratings soared asviewers tuned in to see the latest Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, arguments over the Cool Wall and Power Laps by the mysterious Stig. Top Gear has long attracted criticism for its dangerous stunts and the presenters’ controversial opinions.

©2011 Martin Roach (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing

Great for background details

I thought this was very well done. I know some have criticized that it contains no new information I don't care. I am an American and for UK folks who had access to the news about Top Gear maybe that is so. But for me there was some great background information on the presenters, producers and other important folks. There is also great history about the show for us folks outside the UK. I don't think it has the energy that Hammonds books do but that is just writing and reading style.

if you are a true fan of the New Top Gear then I think you enjoy this.

It is by far and away my favorite TV program. No sex, no drugs, no blood and gore. Just child like fun, excitement and fascination.

Entertaining and Informative

Although a true Top Gear fan will not learn a lot from this book, it is nevertheless entertaining and a Top Gear fan can never get enough top gear anyway. Well read and entertaining.

Interesting, fun to know stuff.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Eh... only if they were a huge Clarkson, May, Hammond fan.

Would you recommend The Top Gear Story to your friends? Why or why not?

Eh... only if they were a huge Clarkson, May, Hammond fan.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jerome Pride?

Perhaps.. English accents always make a bad story sound good.

What else would you have wanted to know about Martin Roach’s life?

Who?

Loved it

If you like Top Gear like I do, then you will enjoy hearing the background and behind the scenes contained here in.

Setting fire to my money would be a better choice.

Would you try another book from Martin Roach and/or Jerome Pride?

Not at all. A child could have written this same book by regurgitating information from Wikipedia. Martin Roach is a complete hack. When Jereme Pride "tries" to convey a quote from Jeremy, Richard, or James, his dialect would be better suited for Ozzy's next book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Hopefully nothing from Martin Roach.

What character would you cut from The Top Gear Story?

Martin Roach.

Any additional comments?

As an American, I have two words for this tripe. Bloody awful.

Nothing New

This is basically a big TG fan recounting various episodes and the presenters' articles and interviews.
Setting aside some facts he got wrong (Fisher is a cat; it's James, not Jeremy who is the same age as Oliver), this book lacks any kind of "insider" info. If you've seen the more popular antics, and have ever read about the presenters in a paper, then you're already aware of everything in this book.
I can't even consider it an encyclopedic type book to recommend as reference. In essence, it's not The Top Gear Story, it's just a bloke going on and on (and on) about his favorite show and his unbridled hero worship.

I wish I had bought something else

What disappointed you about The Top Gear Story?

Just a written summary of top gear episodes nothing we didn't already know.

What could Martin Roach have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Gotten interviews with the members of the top gear team instead of relying on secondhand tales.

What does Jerome Pride bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The book was pure bilge and didn't finish it, this was no fault of Jerome Pride, probably wouldn't have gotten as far as I did without him!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Jerome Pride an excellent narrator.

Any additional comments?

Save your money or credits and don't buy this, watch Top Gear instead!