Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May cover art

Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May

Behind the Scenes of Their "Rock and Roll" World Tour

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Off-Road with Clarkson, Hammond & May

By: Phillipa Sage
Narrated by: Julie Maisey
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About this listen

For over 12 years, Phillipa Sage worked alongside Clarkson, Hammond and May as their PA, gofer and fixer, where she saw the boys at their best and, hilariously, at their worst. A closet petrol head, Phillipa started working in the motor industry on live events over 20 years ago and first worked with Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman (formerly Top Gear and now the Grand Tour’s executive producer) in 1997. She proved to be a loyal, trusted friend and colleague to all the presenters - from back in the beginning with Tiff Needell and Quentin Wilson - to the now infamous trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May, and became a key member of what became known as ‘The Bubble’, the exclusive dysfunctional working family that toured the world.

With an enormous budget, they travelled like rock stars - with super cars, yachts, private jets, helicopters and five-star wining and dining - taking their unique brand of motoring madness to 18 countries, 31 cities and to over two million fans in arenas and at festivals from New Zealand to Norway.

Supported by a large crew and their personal entourage, Clarkson, Hammond and May, when not performing in their extraordinary, high octane, live action, motoring theatre, indulged in extravagant holidays. They and their ‘Bubble’ family relaxed in luxury resorts or private houses entertaining themselves with pool parties, drinking, heli-sightseeing, drinking, private motorboat cruises, drinking, jet skiing, sailing, drinking and eating, and drinking.

©2020 Phillipa Sage (P)2021 Boldwood Books
Entertainment & Celebrities Motor Sports Celebrity Sports
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I enjoyed the behind the scenes story of how these guys worked and played. Hard working, but harassed by paperatzi wherever they went. Jeremy is a bit of a diva, but he knows what he likes, what he wants and how to get it. These 3 guys and the team entertained millions for over 20 years. I've listened to this book twice, and it is kept in my library and I will listen again. Thanks Pippa

Great Incite

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She must say bubble and Range Rover about 300 times per hour.

Very little actual insight and I’m looking to bail with 2 hours left.

Bubble, bubble, Range Rover, bubble, Range Rover

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I'm a massive fan of Top Gear, or at least I was until I listened to this audiobook.

It's a tale of how a production crew indulges the demanding, vain, self-important alcoholic that is Jeremy Clarkson at lots of locations around the world. The formula of the chapters is always the same- there is a great struggle to find enough luxury and treats for Clarkson; eventually spectacular acommodation, tranport and food are found (he has to go everywhere in either his own special kind of Range Rover or a helicopter), ludicrous amounts of alcohol are consumed, and the "team" congratulate themselves on being highly paid to have fun while holding down hangovers that are entirely of their own making. I wonder if Clarkson's parents ever told him he could have or do anything- clearly the adults around him in middle age did not.

It is a bit formulaic but a fascinating window into an absurdly entitled lifestyle. Highly recommended if you want to give up alcohol or watching Top Gear (and derivatives).

Interesting insights

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Julie Maisey does her best to make this an interesting listen despite having to actually list the content of someone’s handbag!
Gave up on it. Total tosh.

Gave up in the first hour, unentertaining, reminiscent of a shipping report.

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Interesting for about the first 10 pages and then repeat!
If you’re expecting all the dirty washing to be hung out… You’ll be sadly disappointed!
Just a bunch of overgrown schoolboys!

Benign mulch!

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