Hammond's book "On the Edge"

[twomix9900]

Anyone here read the book yet?

I read it and loved it! Share your thoughts if you've read the book

I'll give my own review if I see enough responses :p

bleh, I just noticed I misspelled his name :\

[Kukelikki]

Not available as ebook yet? (*coughtorrentcough*). Loved the video though: "hard-ish work"

[iongerm]

I have read it- it was very emotional! I absolutely loved it. Hearing how hard it must have been for him just to come to terms with his illness and all the confusion in his head + the desperation of his family and the love and all the heartache... it made me cry a few times. Not at all an act of pure moneymaking, but an eyeopener to how difficult it is to have a brain injury.

[kitty1943]

Have read it too. I liked it. It's well written and very honest but sometimes also quite sad.

[TJP]

Originally Posted by iongerm

it made me cry a few times. Not at all an act of pure moneymaking, but an eyeopener to how difficult it is to have a brain injury.

I'm glad you made mention of "money making" & dismiss this as a motive for releasing the book.

From reading reviews on this book, it appears some people see the book as an exercise in "cashing in" which I found rather a tasteless accusation. One moron on Amazon UK even wrote "he crashed...big deal" and gave the book 1 star. FFS, I don't know of to many people who crash at the speeds Hammond did & survive!

Thanks to all posting feedback on the book. I think I may be making a purchase real soon..

Cheers.

[watto]

I bought the book yesterday. Unfortunately with my Uni workload the way it is at the moment, I won't be reading it until after exams... Nevermind, something to look forward to!

Actually, I have had a look at the pictures throughout it. Brilliant!

[jellykitten26]

The book will of course attract the posse of people who slam it as a cashing-in exercise, mainly because of the timing.

It's unfair to do so, but we can't do a lot about it. Fortunately, it seems to be only a tiny minority of people who think negatively of this, while the rest are praising it.

Good to know of the positive notes here, I'll put it on my ever growing list of things to buy!

[Duell]

I have bought and read the book. And I must say I was pretty impressed by how his wife cooped with Richard's crash and recovery.

The book was easy to read, but it sure gives you something to think about.
I have completely different picture about Hammond now. Not bad just ... different.

It's a book worth buying.

[GreenBadger]

I thought that it was very well done, especially when you consider that the events and their consequences are still very fresh on both Richard and Mindy's minds. I see the book as a part of the recovery process for both of them. It was interesting to learn some of Richard's background, and his views up to the "so this is it" moment. Overall, the book had me laughing and near tears at times. And, I have to agree with Richard, Mindy is a much better writer.

I have been through something similar with my wife over the past 3 years (she is recovering from 7.5 hours of brain surgery during which a large, benign brain tumor was removed), so much of the recovery twists and turns ring painfully familiar. I hope that Mindy can continue to provide Richard with the support he is going to still need as he continues down that slow road to recovery.

To all of you who were involved in this, from the YAA crew, to the staff at the various hospitals, and the "retired Special Forces types", and especially Mindy, all I can say is "Thank You!". And to all of us who donated to the YAA fund, or to fund the Hamster Helmet, we can be proud that we helped as well.

And to those of you who will be crying that this was nothing more than crass commercialism, an attempt to cash in on the crash publicity ... I would suggest that you actually read the book before you condemn it.

[twomix9900]

Yeah I was bit bummed out to see cynics and their poor allegations of book being a money-making scheme

I just wanted to have a bit more faith in humanity--I've seen forum threads of Richard acting like a gentleman to his fans and such, so I didn't really think his book was a money-making scheme.

Also, I would've thought he was already rich enough...besides, he knows his book will most likely only interest his fans, so he already had limited audience (translation: limited opportunity to make money)

[nannocrob]

I tried to read it while driving. Didn't turn out so good. But, I can relate better now with some of the stuff I was reading. Haven't finished yet though. I might need another car for that.

[DaShowstoppa]

One of the most thought provoking and amazing books I've ever read. It's not supposed to be a full autobiography by the way.

At least I hope he writes a full one someday, I'd love to hear more about Braniac.

[Ottobon]

Originally Posted by Kukelikki

Not available as ebook yet? (*coughtorrentcough*). Loved the video though: "hard-ish work"

boooooooooooooooooooooo


common, don't torrent for torrents sake, the only reason i think Torrents are acceptable in the case of topgear is because its impossible to get in full length outside Britain.

Although part of my disrespect may stem from the fact i also hate reading anything (including these forums) on a computer, nomatter what screen or font size i have i always get headaches!

[Jacobi]

Hi All,

Newbie to the forum. I actually joined predominantly so I could respond to this thread.

I work in a bookstore, and after my boss read this book, I (already tempted but short on cash) bought it and read it. I devoured it really and then two days later re-read it. I thought it was terrific: sad, funny, horrific (especially the details of the crash...the dirt in his face), confront and inspiring. Everytime I see a customer looking at it, I go over and tell them how wonderful it is and how they have to read it. I even wrote a little review and am doing my bit to make sure we sell out...
It really is one of the best books I have read all year. What I especially liked about it was that you could really 'hear' his and Mindy's voice; you could tell they wrote it.

As my work is a stockist for TG-related stuff in Oz, we have all the DVDs etc anyway, but I wouldn't really classify his book as "Top Gear" especially, or a 'stars' biography along the same line as say (heaven forbid) Tom Cruise, but more than that.
And I agree, anyone who says he is 'cashing in' is a cold, heartless b***tard!!!!!

What was odd for me though, was reconciling what he wrote about his recovery with what you see on TG. It was so different in a way. As a co-worker said after she borrowed and read my copy, you really have to wonder how 'presented' the Richard Hammond we see onscreen is...like how Mindy said when in hospital, Richard was trying to be the Richard everyone wanted him to be...

So anyway, hi and please excuse my loving book related ranting. In an obsessive Top Gear phase...

Jacobi

[alfaholic]

I've added this book to my Christmas list (a long with the latest Clarkson and May efforts). Looking forward to reading.

[Momo63]

It is a very good read. Quite hard to read at times. Mindy's desription of what they went through in the hospital is heartbreaking. That woman is amazingly strong.
It does give us some insights into Hammond's personality and his relationship with the rest of the TG team too. They really do care for each other - even though they would never admit it. There is a lot of humour in it too.
There is an abridged (I assume) audio version too - with Mindy and him reading it. I'm told she sounds very warm and soothing on it.

[chay007]

I got this book for my birthday and just thought it was an excellent read. I am not usually a book reader and take a long time to read books but i finished this book in under a week as i just got so pulled into it.

The book pulls on all your emotions and is fantastically written with real emotion and at many times it does become hard to read. Mindy was unbelivable to Richard and deserves all the credit she gets.

Having somebody close to you in such a situation is something i have been lucky to not have expirienced in my life but in this book, and particularly the bits written by Mindy i felt i could understand how bad the situation was which i just didnt expect

It also gives you such an insight into how close everybody involved with Top Gear care for each other which not only goes someway to showing how Top Gear have created such a good show but was a vital part in Richards recovery.

I would recommend to anybody who has not read this whether they are a fan of Richard or Top Gear or neither to read this book. and to those who say this is a moneymaking scheme i do not believe that any book could be made with such emotion if that was the aim, and any money made from this book is truly deserved.

[upyourego]

I got this the other week as an audiobook - I have it as an actual book but I didn't have time to read it.

Anyway - the audiobook is a great listen, read part by Richard and part by Mindy - it works well and really feels like writing the book was part of Richards recovery process.

[teeb]

It's on iTunes UK for £10.95, the audiobook. Wish I could afford that. Or have the patience to buy it off Amazon.

[Kukelikki]

Originally Posted by Ottobon

boooooooooooooooooooooo


common, don't torrent for torrents sake, the only reason i think Torrents are acceptable in the case of topgear is because its impossible to get in full length outside Britain.

Although part of my disrespect may stem from the fact i also hate reading anything (including these forums) on a computer, nomatter what screen or font size i have i always get headaches!

sorry, i do torrent for torrent's sake also book shops here don't have the book, and can't bother to order it from amazon germany in euros. course i'd perfer the actual book, and i'd buy it(reasonable price). or download, whichever i find first.