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On The Edge

Author: Richard Hammond
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson General
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

88 reviews
Sales Rank: 2909

Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 310
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4

ISBN: 0297853279
Dewey Decimal Number: 796
EAN: 9780297853275
ASIN: 0297853279

Publication Date: September 20, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days

Also Available In:

•	Audio CD - On The Edge (CD): My Story
•	Paperback - On The Edge: My Story
•	Paperback - On The Edge (abridged): My Story

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Customer Reviews: Read 83 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Survival of the Fittest July 17, 2008
Richard Hammond covers the daredevil stunts of his childhood with a humour that he obviously took into his adult life. But the book isn't so much about his life as about the aftermath of his horrendous crash in a jet car whilst filming for the Top Gear television programme. The fact that Top Gear pushes the boundaries of acceptable motoring or that at times it can be irresponsible and purely for entertainment is probably not for discussion here. Hammond is part of that set-up and the fact that he drove a jet car could smack of commerciality gone too far.

As we all know he suffered severe brain damage from the crash. This book deals primarily with the build-up to the crash and the aftermath seen both through Hammond's eyes and those of his wife Mindy. Whilst Hammond was trying to pick up the pieces of his life and dealing with the problems of recuperating from brain damage, Mindy was trying to carry the burden of the family whilst giving him a solid base for his recovery. This is an overwhelming story of survival and return to fitness that at one point didn't seem possible. It is about the triumph of the human spirit. It is well written and an enjoyable read although I found the almost pathological need to avoid the Media slightly surprising given that Hammond himself operates within that field.

5 out of 5 stars

An excellent read June 24, 2008
What a fantastic book. I really couldn't put it down. It had me laughing and crying, sometimes on the same page. Whovever said they couldn't decide whether it was good or not obviously missed the point completely. Maybe there were too many big words and not enough pictures. A real story about real people and it still has a happy ending. Excellent

5 out of 5 stars

Not what i was expecting... and all the better for it.... June 12, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

When i bought this book, I was, i am ashamed to say, expecting a rushed to be published 'celebrity' style 'cash in' following Richard's horrific Jet Car crash in 2006. The title itself was almost enough to put me off. I thought it would be a 'look at all the great stuff i have done on Top Gear' account. But instead, what i found was one of the most frank, open and honest accounts of life, love and recovery that I have ever read.

The more i read, the more i realised that the title was not about his 'On the edge' exploits with Jeremy and James, but his recovery from the accident and being literally on the edge of existing and knowing who he was, not as a TV presenter, but as himself, as Richard Hammond, the family man who loves his wife and family and the long road back from that edge.

As somebody who also enjoys sport and takes part in what some would consider 'risk' activities, the part where Richard describes his realisation that despite his best efforts the car was out of control, and he had calmly resigned himself that would be it, the end of his life touched me deeply. It found me questioning myself if that is how it would be for me, if i were in a similar situation.

Richard goes into detail about the guilt he felt, and still feels to have survived, when others haven't from lesser accidents. The book recalls the re-programming of him as a person, the re-understanding of his life, his apologies and the support he received are all detailed here. This is not a rose tinted story with a happily ever after ending. This is a warts and all account shared between Richard and his wife, of his behaviour, habits and feelings after the accident. It is all here, right down to the toilet trips and the cigarette breaks.

Ignore the cynics, this is a good read, an enjoyable behind the mask account of a road to recovery, and one that i hope will inspire and provide hope to many others.

1 out of 5 stars

Couldn't tell if it was interesting or not... March 31, 2008
1 out of 13 found this review helpful

There may be an interesting story here, but I couldn't find it. This is perhaps the worst-written book I've ever (tried to) read in my life -- and that's saying something. I finally put it down after about 80 pages. The writing is hackneyed, cliche-ridden and completely predicable. It's breathless and self-important. Hammond's editor should be ashamed of himself (or herself). Stick to watching him on Top Gear.

5 out of 5 stars

Fanbloodytastic February 17, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I couldn't put it down, and was rather sad when I knew I was coming to the end. But still, iv never read an auto-biography, iv just never seen the interest, but this was far more than anything iv ever read. I was sad alot of the time because i could connect with alot of what Mindy said, but even though you know now hes alive and kicking and seems ok, the story of what he went through was incredible. My hat goes off to him.