On the Edge

I am a big fan of Top Gear and the Grand Tour. I just recently found out about this book and got it for Christmas. I really enjoyed it and appreciated getting his wife’s side.My wife spent 16 days unconscious on a ventilator (she fine now). I could very much relate to what Mindy was going through as she sat next to Richards bed after his crash.Definitely worth getting if you like Hamster, Capt Slow and Jezza.

If you are a Top Gear fan, and know about Hammond's multiple challenges of death, this is a must read!An easy read, well written. An excellent addition to every automotive library.

I've recently become a fan of Top Gear, and when I found out about this biography, I had to read it. It's even better than I expected it to be. This story has some information about Hammond's life from childhood onward, but most of it is about his high speed accident and recovery. There's little mention of the other presenters, but when they're mentioned, it's always positive and heartwarming. Clarkson was a rock of encouragement and May's thoughtful gift helped in a tangible way during Richard's recovery.But the real treasure of this book is Mindy, Richard's wife. She wrote part of the book, and her scenes are, frankly, the best. She writes with such love and devotion. I really felt for her and her family with every scene that passed. The recovery and love were very special, and I felt honored to get to read about it.This story would probably be helpful to anyone who'd suffered from an accident and was dealing with the aftermath physically, emotionally, and mentally. Despite many dark days, Hammond's road to recovery is very so hopeful. It makes you feel like anything's possible.Hammond is completely honest about things that many people might be tempted to hide. He talks about being accident-prone and a daredevil as a kid. He talks about reverting to a "selfish" childlike state during one part of his recovery, bouts with fear and panic, and how difficult it was to be alone. Mindy shares the pain and agony of the family as well as hope and commitment and love. The book is written in an understated, honest way that shows emotion very clearly.I think it's wonderful. Honestly, you probably don't even need to watch Top Gear to enjoy this show, because they don't talk about the show very much. It's mostly about the family, and I felt very glad to get a glimpse into this difficult time in their lives.

On the Edge: My StoryBy Richard & Mindy HammondIn September 2006 British Radio and TV personality Richard Hammond suffered a devastating crash while filming a segment for Top Gear. During his final run in a Jet Powered car at speeds approaching 290 miles an hour. The car experienced a failure of the front right tire causing it to roll. Leading to a serious lift threating brain injury.This is the story of his life and recovery co-authored by Richard and his wife, Mindy. The two viewpoints presented his before the crash, hers during the early days of his recovery and then the two as Richard’s recovery progressed add much to the overall story.My wife and I took turns reading his story. Err should I say on the day this book arrived my wife grabbed it and allowed me to view it only after she was through. Then pushed me to read it so we could discuss what had happened.I’ll be honest we both enjoy Richard in the programs he has done. My wife has become quite a fan of Top Gear and now Crash Course another of his programs.His story is well written and riveting. His recovery was quick yet devastating and seeing it from the two sides just adds to the overall content. As he points out those who suffer injuries such as his may look fine on the outside while not even close to being fine on the inside.This story was made personal from the fact that in 2012 I suffered a major stroke. As I read Mindy’s account of Richard’s hospitalization and recovery it brought new insight into what my own loving wife went through in the hours, days, weeks, and even months of our own journey.This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. I encourage everyone to read it and learn from Richard and Mindy’s experience.

Sometimes a life can get a little too exciting. Richard Hammond is widely regarded as someone who has far more fun in his job than any several dozen people ought to be permitted, but it comes at the price of endless hours spent in preparation for many of the things that get seen on camera, and with the knowledge that if something goes wrong, it can do so dramatically. Such was the case when he made the second afterburner-boosted run in the jet-propelled car that would take him briefly past 300mph. A failed front tire sent the vehicle out of control spectacularly, and Hammond's mere survival was regarded as remarkable all by itself. However, his injury wasn't trivial, and the account of the long and very trying road back to full capability is a study in the fragility and resilience of humans who test limits and manage to exceed them. It was also a study in the dedication of his wife and the medical staff that treated him, each of which was essential to his full recovery. And the fact that he had the full support of his workday mates from Top Gear should not be discounted; they were as determined to ensure that he stepped back into the program no sooner than he was truly ready, as he was to return before that. Even if you have never seen the show, this is an account of adversity overcome that is well worth reading.

I bought this book because my husband recently suffered a head injury. The description of Richard's recovery and Mindy's experience has been invaluable to me in understanding the strange recovery process from such and injury. Many many thanks for authoring this book, it has helped me enormously.

At times it felt a little uncomfortable reading such intimate thoughts, both Richard's and Mindy's, as it felt a bit like I'd sneaked a look at someone's personal diary. However, the courage shown by this wonderful couple in opening up to the world and sharing their story of this terribly difficult time in their lives is inspiring. I was already a huge fan of Top Gear and all three of its presenters, but having read this entire book in one session, I feel a little bit of extra love for Richard - not that kind of love, but the kind of love where I wish I could just give him a hug and reassure him of what a wonderful man he is :-)

I bought this for a friend of mine, whose partner suffered a brain injury and is going through the same problems as Richard Hammond suffered following his accident. Although her partner is showing signs of improvement, he is still having the same kind of extreme mood swings that Richard describes, yet my friend feels the book has given much hope for the future, especially as Richard has made excellent recovery. His wife also co-wrote the book and gives her side of the story and how she coped. Worth reading if you know of anyone who has had a brain injury (whether traumatic as in having an accident, or through infection).

A brilliantly open book about recovering from a traumatic brain injury . It gives me hope forms father who has been on hospital for 5 weeks

I am not a top gear fan. But this was recommended to.me by an ex racer friend of mine who had suffered a brain injury. I read it in 3 sittings. Couldn't put it down. It explains the lead up to the accident and the aftermath and importantly for me, the recovery. When I raced (on 3 wheels),yes I crashed, I was lucky, nothing more than bumps , bruises and concussion. I can't imagine what it is like to see your partner in a coma, wired to machines, Mindy's share of the book explains the helplessness,realisation and inner strength to help that recovery.Superb book, glad I read it.