Motorworld

By Jeremy Clarkson

Book Overview

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 to: 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141017872
• ISBN13: 9780141017877
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Classic Clarkson

Fans of Top Gear will be able to hear Clarkson's voice clearly while reading. However, even if you don't know the show or Clarkson you will get a kick out of these essays on cars in different countries. If you like cars and travel, do be sure an pick up a copy of this book. Clarkson is humorously sarcastic and irreverent, but his observation of each country's car culture are dead on. I have heard some complaints from UK readers that they are only copies of his newspaper column published in the UK, but since I am in the US and haven't read those I cannot say if that is true or not. This is a great gift idea for any car lover or travel lover...even better if they are huge fans of both like me!

Refreshing and entertaining but makes you wonder

3.5 stars really. The author is fun to watch in action on TV. He is not afraid to speak his mind and has a unique turn of phrase when critcally examining something. He writes in much the same way. In fact, you sometimes catch yourself reading like Clarkson talks - complete with the pregnant pauses! A light-hearted read, really. I did find some of the explanations/comments frustrating though. There is a chapter on Australia with a few outlandish statements that could be read as fact when they're not. Outlandish statements are, of course, pure, classic Clarkson but it got me thinking what else in the book (several countries I am not too familiar with) was really an embellishment - a "Clarksonism". But then, that'd be regarding this book seriously which it certainly isn't. If you've been doing some heavy reading of late or enjoy Clarkson's take on the world, or even just want a laugh from a different type of travel book, then this book is a good choice.