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  • And on That Bombshell

  • Inside the Madness and Genius of TOP GEAR
  • Written by: Richard Porter
  • Narrated by: Richard Porter, Ben Elliot
  • Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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And on That Bombshell

Written by: Richard Porter
Narrated by: Richard Porter,Ben Elliot
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Publisher's Summary

For 13 years, 22 series and 175 shows, Richard Porter was script editor of Top Gear, from the first faltering pilot episode in 2002 until the very last show presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2015.

Along the way they destroyed cars, sparked diplomatic incidents, set fire to caravans, almost killed one of the presenters, and somehow transformed Top Gear from a shabby BBC Two motoring show into an Emmy-winning, record-breaking, planet-straddling behemoth.

And on That Bombshell tells stories from behind the scenes of one of the world's most successful television programmes, taking in driving monkeys, broken bones, flying cars, angry rednecks and Jeremy Clarkson's secret nickname.

Richard Porter provides a unique insight into how the programmes were made, revealing behind-the-scenes disasters more comical than anything seen on screen and explaining what it was like to work inside the self-professed 'poky motoring show' that accidentally became a global phenomenon.

Read by Ben Elliot and with an introduction read by the author.

©2015 Richard Porter (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group

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absolutely brilliant

as a avid top gear fan, this book was really enjoyable. I loved Ben Elliotts performance as a narrator, it really helped express the story. 11/10 would read again

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not exactly the truth but what do i know

not exactly the truth but what do i know

but i loved it i loved it

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  • Zack
  • 2016-10-08

two pauses

I downloaded this program at just before 4 pm on a friday. I finished packing my car and was almost ready to go.
I began the program, shifted to drive and then set off across I-90 across South Dakota.

I paused the program the first time just long enough to order a sandwich at Arhy's, then it went right back on.

The final time I paused it was when I arrived at my Granother's house and made about 90 minutes of conversation before it was time for bed. Then it went right back on.

Eleven hours after hitting play (12 if you believe in time zones) I'm extremely sad this book has ended, but massively excited at Top Gear as a show bravely soldering on, The Grand Tour seeing the Trio embark on a massively entertaining new chapter in broadcasting, and so, so grateful for this awesome look at a show I love so much to be available as an audio book for one of the more dreary drives on planet earth.

And I am certain I will listen to it again on my return trip on Monday.

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  • Lars C.
  • 2020-01-14

Doesn't get bogged down

I finished it over the course of two marathon sessions, it's a fantastic look within the rise and fall of Top Gear, that quirky motoring show from across the pond.

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  • Jeremy clarkson
  • 2018-01-24

great book

loved it, gave me the behind the scene look of my favorite show. goodbye top gear

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  • Johanna Karlsson
  • 2023-09-20

Every man’s favorite TV show

Great book into the humble beginnings to the total and utter destruction of our beloved TopGear TV Show - such a pity that BBC allowed it to get so bad, still the best version of the show it was like lightning in a bottle

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  • James
  • 2023-03-26

Great story

Very good listen. Have a go; you will enjoy it. Meanwhile... Good night all

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  • Porbob
  • 2023-01-18

A long time favorite show!

I watched you before the Internet and now have numerous YouTube boomarked segments. Good stuff!

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  • Sharon M. Fitzgerald, MA
  • 2022-10-15

A must listen for any Top Gear fan 🤘

This is kinda amazing because this author was with Top Gear from season one, in 2002, all the way to its end in 2015 - what a perspective! If you are a fan of Top Gear or The Grand Tour, you're going to dig it.

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  • Timothy
  • 2022-08-17

If you hated the show, you're going to hate this.

If you ever wished to find yourself next to a member of the crew on a long haul flight or discover, over several pints, that the gentleman sitting next to you at the pub was capable of delivering earnest and funny tales of the show with informed authority then this is absolutely the title for you. I hope you enjoy it as I did, considering I restarted it the moment I finished this review. Cheers to Mr. Porter and Mr. Elliot, and my thanks.

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  • Interncat
  • 2022-04-14

Just an exceptionally biased topgear fan

By pengame alone, the book is probably a 3-4 stars. But I'm a topgear fan, hence the 5.

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  • NEW GAME+
  • 2022-03-22

Ambitious and not rubbish!

A funny and, at times, heartwarming look behind the scenes at the BBC show Top Gear.

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