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Richard Hammond is internationally famous for co-presenting Top Gear over the last 4 years with Jeremy Clarkson; he also presented Brainiac: Science Abuse on Sky 1, Should I Worry About...? on BBC 1 and Time Commanders on BBC 2. His Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show was shown every weekday on ITV1 during January and February 2006, and he is a team captain on the BBC2 quiz show, Petrolheads. He writes a weekly column in The Daily Mirror. His crash whilst filming for Top Gear in September 2006 made him a household name.
Author photo © Joseph Sinclair
ON THE ROAD: GROWING UP IN EIGHT JOURNEYS - MY EARLY YEARS is a new form of autobiography, in which TOP GEAR presenter Richard Hammond tells the story of his early life through a series of significant driving episodes. He's a child in the back seat of Dad's car on the way to the seaside in Weston-Super-Mare. He's on his first bike, a red one, in Solihull, then on his first motorcycle, a Honda MTX50. He's at the wheel of his first car (and in the back with his first girlfriend). He is driving a furniture delivery van as part of his first job in and around Ripon. Now he is showing off with a friend, risking everything. ON THE ROAD is an emotional road map in which each chapter has its own registration number, and its own distinctive interior. Most importantly, each chapter sets off and arrives. ON THE ROAD surges on to its destination, reversing or moving quickly through the gears, reliving the central episodes and conflicts of Richard's life. Every chapter is a stage in a longer journey. Although there are precious few road-rage monologues against four-wheel drivers and men in vests in white vans, Richard Hammond's readers will quickly recognise the funny self-deprecating and balanced ease that has made him one of Britain's best-loved writers and television presenters.
From passenger in his Dad’s car, the first bike, the first motorbike and car and then the delivery van, a first job delivering furniture, each journey recalls a chapter in Richard Hammond’s life, a clever way of recalling his early life in vivid snapshots of journeys undertaken - progressing from passenger to driver and from boy to man. Like for Like Reading On Roads: A Hidden History, Joe Moran Are We Nearly There Yet? A Family's 8,000 Mile car Journey around Britain, Ben Hatch
More anecdotes and tales from the Top Gear presenter. Hammond writes in an easy humorous style much like his television persona so all Top Gear fans will find this an entertaining read.
More anecdotes and tales from the Top Gear presenter. Hammond writes in an easy humorous style much like his television persona so all Top Gear fans will want this in their Christmas pile.
More tales from the ‘Hamster’ following his exploits on Top Gear as well as other various adventures. The perfect book to dip in and out of for amusing anecdotes. Hammond is an articulate, funny and interesting writer giving some great insights in to the behind the scenes of his TV accomplishments. A great gift for anyone.
A great book not just for fans of the Top Gear presenter. This is a very moving story about the terrible effects of brain injuries and also a story of great courage and strength and above all a reflection of the love that Richard and his family share. Interesting in that the first half of the book is written from Richard’s perspective and the second from his wife, Mindy’s, after the accident. A very moving and interesting read.
This business book is great for leaders, middle managers and entrepreneurs interested in the following categories; Small Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Strategy Branding Customer Experience Make it easy for customers to choose you; whatever your business, product or service. With customers now subconsciously weighing up their massively expanded options in terms of purchase friction (how easy it is to spend) and shopping reward (the extras inherent to the buying experience); your job is to make it easy for them to choose you When is high friction bad? Friction includes frustrations like putting a coin in a supermarket trolley lock, too many clicks, and hidden frictions from awkward presentation, process and offer. Reward includes quality of business support, amazing retail environments, even emotional issues such as trust and belonging. When is high friction good? What value do different customers place on friction and reward across different buying scenarios? How can I benchmark against competitors? And, where are the big opportunities and where should we focus effort and resource? How do I market improved experiences to win customers? Friction Reward teaches you how to understand, measure and improve every single possible customer interaction by applying techniques outlined in the book to your customer experiences and organisations. Readers will: Create easier, faster and improved customer experiences by reducing friction and increasing reward. Discover how reducing friction attracts new customers, increases spend from existing ones and gives you a competitive advantage. Understand how the world's leading retailers, B2B sellers and public service providers are winning using these insights. Learn how to apply practical tools and technologies to their own customer and user scenarios both online and in the physical world.
What is it about bikes that leaves so many of us powerless to resist? This entertaining guide charts the history of the bike from its origin as a cheap means of transport to its modern incarnations: a symbol of rebellion, a high-tech racing machine and the rich kid's plaything. Richard Hammond, passionate biker and collector of bikes, looks at the machines that have propelled people across the world to work, to school - and occasionally to their doom. With his trademark expertise and wit, Hammond examines bikers of every type, from the happy farmer trundling through fields on his Honda Cub to the Hells Angel terrorising towns on their hog.
It's cold, wet and dangerous, so why do we do it? Richard Hammond's A SHORT HISTORY OF THE MOTORCYCLE attempts to explain what it is about bikes and biking that calls to some people, leaving them powerless to resist. This entertaining guide charts the history of the bike from its origins as a cheap and modest means of transport for the masses to its modern incarnations: a terrifying symbol of rebellion and menace, a high-tech racing machine and the rich kid's plaything. We look at the bikes that have propelled people across the world to work, to school and to their doom. As for the bikers ... Edwardian ladies did it, though not in large numbers. Young bucks desperate to prove their manhood did it, because it was the cheapest speed available. Hammond examines bikers of every type, from the happy farmer trundling through fields on their Honda Cub to the Hell's Angel terrorising Californian towns on their hog. Wittily written and lavishly illustrated, A SHORT HISTORY OF THE MOTORCYCLE is a thrilling ride for bikers and non-bikers alike.
SMART RETAIL IS THE HOW-TO RETAIL BIBLE. Smart Retail reveals what the most successful retailers in the world know and how you can apply their secrets to your own business. Fully revised and updated, this new edition includes the latest success stories, new ideas and strategic and tactical thinking to help grow your sales. Based on one simple question, which Richard Hammond posed to the world's leading retailers: 'What makes you so good?', Smart Retail shows you how to use some of the best winning ideas, strategies and tactical thinking. Discover the secrets of great retailing Boost sales with practical advice from the best retailers in the world Learn how to delight customers and keep them coming back for more Covering everything from creating the ultimate retail experience to understanding your customer and the importance of a motivated team, this is the book that will equip managers, ambitious team-workers, retail entrepreneurs and indeed anybody who sells direct to customers, with practical winning ideas and strategies. 'The heart of every retail success is the delivery of a great customer experience. In mapping out how to do that, this book is worth its weight in gold' Ian Shepherd, Chief Commercial Officer, Odeon & UCI 'I highly recommend Smart Retail as part of any retailer's essential toolkit.' Rowan Gormley, CEO Majestic Wine PLC 'A really practical and helpful guide, essential reading for anyone involved in retailing.' Charles Dunstone, Founder and Chairman - The Carphone Warehouse 'The heart of every retail success is the delivery of a great customer experience. In mapping out how to do that, this book is worth its weight in gold.' Ian Shepherd, Chief Commercial Officer, Odeon & UCI 'Clear thinking with practical retail insight to get to innovative yet pragmatic ideas.' Alex Windle - Marketing Director BP 'A toolkit of retailing skills to take you beyond survival, to super-performance.' Angus Thirlwell, Founder - Hotel Chocolat 'Congratulations on pulling together such a comprehensive list of essential learnings.' Cliff Burrows, Group President USA & Americas - Starbucks 'This book is full of practical good things to make running stores that bit easier to get right.' Julian Richer, Chairman and Founder - Richer Sounds 'A wonderful insight into the world of retailing. A fun and inspiring read.' Vittorio Radice, Saviour of Selfridges
Richard Hammond explains physics in this popular, award-winning series, from the discoveries of ancient Greece to Einstein via Galileo and Newton. Physics doesn't just happen in a lab - it happens in the kitchen, in your bath, in a car! All About Physics shows you how science affects everything, from roller-coasters to fighter pilots. Join a thrilling high-energy journey through time, space and beyond and find out about the physical forces that make our world what it is. Experience some light reading about waves and the electromagnetic spectrum; get stuck into friction; and feel the heat with temperature. You can also find out the answers to age-old scientific questions such why the sky is blue, and to more obscure conundrums, such as why golf balls have dimples. Crammed with fascinating facts and interactive experiments, this book is a totally cool look at physics!
Richard Hammond - TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict - is on a quest to uncover the truth behind the rumours and whispers around some of the world's strangest alien encounters. Have you ever spotted a UFO? Are you in danger of alien abduction? And what did happen at Roswell? Don't miss this instalment in the incredible series by Britain's best-loved TV personality. Explore the world's greatest mysteries - all from the comfort of your armchair!
Richard Hammond - TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict - is on a quest to uncover the truth behind the rumours and whispers around events in the world's waters. Was the lost city of Atlantis real? Do mermaids exist outside stories? And where is everybody who was on the Marie Celeste? Don't miss this instalment in the incredible series by Britain's best-loved TV personality. Explore the world's greatest mysteries - all from the comfort of your armchair!
Richard Hammond - TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict - is on a quest to uncover the truth behind the rumours and whispers around some of the world's strangest ancient mysteries. Don't miss this instalment in the incredible series by Britain's best-loved TV personality. Explore the world's greatest mysteries - all from the comfort of your armchair!
ON THE ROAD: GROWING UP IN EIGHT JOURNEYS - MY EARLY YEARS is a new form of autobiography, in which TOP GEAR presenter Richard Hammond tells the story of his early life through a series of significant driving episodes. He's a child in the back seat of Dad's car on the way to the seaside in Weston-Super-Mare. He's on his first bike, a red one, in Solihull, then on his first motorcycle, a Honda MTX50. He's at the wheel of his first car (and in the back with his first girlfriend). He is driving a furniture delivery van as part of his first job in and around Ripon. Now he is showing off with a friend, risking everything. ON THE ROAD is an emotional road map in which each chapter has its own registration number, and its own distinctive interior. Most importantly, each chapter sets off and arrives. ON THE ROAD surges on to its destination, reversing or moving quickly through the gears, reliving the central episodes and conflicts of Richard's life. Every chapter is a stage in a longer journey. Although there are precious few road-rage monologues against four-wheel drivers and men in vests in white vans, Richard Hammond's readers will quickly recognise the funny self-deprecating and balanced ease that has made him one of Britain's best-loved writers and television presenters.
The much-loved TOP GEAR host, and No.1 bestselling author of ON THE EDGE, on learning to love your caravan - includes advice on how to blow it up when you have finished with it. This is the essential guide for any owner or prospective owner, or indeed anyone with even a passing interest in caravans, of whatever sex, age, race or inclination. Or anyone with an interest in seeing them blown to bits on the telly. From the history of the caravan and their role in preventing World War Three to caravan racing and what the future might hold for the mobile home we all love (or love to hate), Richard Hammond leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive account of the enduring appeal of a road pest ... I mean, motoring icon.
Richard Hammond - TV presenter and self-confessed mystery addict - invites you to journey with him to the planet's most puzzling places . . . Explore the ancient pyramids, Stonehenge and the Bermuda Triangle. Hunt for werewolves, vampires, aliens and the Abominable Snowman. You can gather clues, facts and interesting tales as you go (just try not to get too distracted by Richard's unbelievable jokes). Then it's up to you decide what's really going on. Don't miss this incredible, fully illustrated gift book from Britain's best-loved TV personality. Explore the world's greatest mysteries - all from the comfort of your armchair!
Top Gear's Richard Hammond peers under the bonnet of the world's top supercars to find out how cars work in this turbo-charged children's science book. Discover the fast and furious physics going on inside every car, from G-force and horsepower to acceleration, inertia, and friction. Help your child discover all about the science in this explosive tour of their favourite dream cars. Find out how cars revolutionised the world, see how a car functions with jaw-dropping diagrams, cutaway drawings and cool graphics. Steer to the fundamental science behind the mechanics and then sit back for an exciting look into the future of minimal emissions, maximum fun. PLUS, find great things your child will love to make and do!
More anecdotes and tales from the Top Gear presenter. Hammond writes in an easy humorous style much like his television persona so all Top Gear fans will find this an entertaining read.
Born in China in 1912, Chien-shiung Wu came to the United States to study physics at the University of California at Berkeley. A meticulous researcher, she joined her former professor, Dr. Oppenheimer, on the Manhattan Project to find ways to produce radioactive uranium for the atomic bomb and improve radioactive detectors. Establishing herself as a world-renowned experimentalist in nuclear physics, Wu was asked by two top theoretical physicists, Tsung-dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang, to see if a 'fundamental truth' of physics was wrong. Her confirmation of nonparity in weak forces - that is, that right and left symmetry do not exist when atoms are in a weakened, less stable state - rocked the physics world. Until that point, physicists had assumed that parity - equality between the left and right sides of an atom - existed in all states. Madame Wu, as she was called, was one of the most distinguished women physicists of her time, and served as the first female president of the American Physical Society in the 1970s.
More tales from the ‘Hamster’ following his exploits on Top Gear as well as other various adventures. The perfect book to dip in and out of for amusing anecdotes. Hammond is an articulate, funny and interesting writer giving some great insights in to the behind the scenes of his TV accomplishments. A great gift for anyone.
Top Gear's Richard Hammond is in the driving seat for this turbo-charged tour through the nuts and bolts of car technology. Underneath the bonnet of every car there's a lot of fast, furious, and spectacular science going on. G-force, combustion, power, you name it, a car's got it. Help your child discover all about the science of cars in this explosive tour. Find out how cars revolutionised the world, see how a car functions with jaw-dropping diagrams, cutaway drawings and cool graphics. Steer to the fundamental science behind the mechanics and then sit back for an exciting look into the future of minimal emissions, maximum fun. PLUS, find great things your child will love to make and do!