| Product: |
The World According to Clarkson - Jeremy Clarkson |
| Date: |
29/09/06 (83 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Witty, entertaining and an all round good read
Disadvantages: None that I noticed
Jeremy Clarkson is probably most known for presenting 'Top Gear'. Also a writer and broadcaster, he has written columns for both the Sunday Times and The Sun.
'The World According To Clarkson' is a collection of his columns from 2001 to 2003. Written for the Sunday Times the book follows Jeremy as he writes from various countries across Europe and the world on subjects that range from the British weather, to why he'd like to be a German, to why he shouldn't be allowed to look after his kids. Clarkson's style of writing is easy to read, at the same time being witty, tongue-in-cheek and entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion.
There's a few moments in the book that some people may find controversial. For example, some people may completely disagree with his views of Mandela, but you've got to hand it to the man, he knows what he's talking about and he puts his point across very well without being offensive. Clearly an intelligent man with what I would call a lot of common sense, I found myself agreeing with a lot of the opinions and ideas he presents. I don't know whether he specifically researched his subjects before writing his columns, or if he already had an interest, but he certainly comes across as someone who is well informed and is therefore able to make his point clearly. His experience as a journalist seems to help him to be objective, yet his role as a columnist let's him give more of his own point of view than a journalist is allowed to.
Some of his topics are a little off the wall, (such as the notion of saving Leatherback turtles by using them as slow moving advertising boards along the beach), but this appeals to me and my sense of humour. What I particularly enjoyed about this book is that Clarkson comes across as just a normal bloke that you'd possibly meet down at your local pub. Although he is often joking about his ideas, they do make sense and you have to wonder whether or not they might actually work.
As I've said, I found this book easy to read and actually finished it in a few days. This isn't an uncommon experience for me, especially if I'm enjoying the book. I didn't find any of it boring or predictable. Although there isn't a plot, (this being a newspaper column after all) there is a certain continuity to the book which helps it to flow well, as the 'chapters' are printed in the order they appeared in the Sunday Times. At the end of every chapter the date of the original date they were printed and I found this interesting as you could tie certain things into what was then current news.
I was given it as a Christmas present and I think it makes an excellent gift. There was nothing I disliked about this book and I would thoroughly recommend it, though perhaps anyone who dislikes Clarkson's presenting on 'Top Gear' may not appreciate his style of writing or his opinions. I'm of the opinion that you'd really have to not like Clarkson himself to not enjoy this book, at least on some level.
I myself found it both entertaining and, at times, thought provoking and I feel 'The World According To Clarkson' certainly deserves its place on my bookshelf.
Summary: Clarkson's unique and very entertaining view on the world around him.
|
|
