On the Edge: My Story (text only)

I seem to be starting a collection of 'brain injury biographies' - first Martin Kemp, and now Richard Hammond - but the personal battles and bravery of famous men and women never ceases to amaze and inspire.

And just as Shirlie Kemp's devotion and strength was incredible during her husband's illness, I found the constancy, love and sheer patience of Mindy Hammond to be the strongest thread of Richard's story about his recovery. She deserves her fair share of recognition for holding onto the man she married, even when he was barely recognisable to his closest family.

Richard is just as brave - firstly, for struggling back to life and then normality, and secondly, for telling this intensely intimate account of those lost and dark weeks show more after his crash. No, he didn't have to get into that jet car, and then take a final run after three successful drives - to paraphrase what Jeremy Clarkson said on Top Gear, that's when he 'fell out of his tree' - but what happened was hardly his fault. I was shocked to read just how close to death he came, not being interested in the show or its stars at the time of the accident - his and Mindy's honesty is very emotional and scary at times, exposing just how fragile he was and how strained poor Mindy's nerves became in trying to look after him. It is reassuring to be able to watch him back on Top Gear again, his wit and enthusiasm restored.

The real voice of this biography, though, really does belong to Mindy, and it's great that she is also able to write how she was feeling about what was going on - after all, Richard was out of it, in one way or another, for most of the time, but she was always at his side. The places where their versions overlap reveal much more than what is actually said - Richard's guilt and sadness, Mindy's loyalty and capacity for forgiveness - that at times, this simple but captivating journal is almost embarrassing to read. I admire both of them for telling their story, with relief that such a vibrant personality as Richard is still alive and strong enough to share the uncomfortable truth. show less

If you, or anyone in your life is suffering from the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), this autobiography written by one of the UK’s most loved auto show presenters is a must read for you. Hammond is one of the trio that presents the UK version of Top Gear and for those who have seen the show they will automatically know to what incident in his life this book centres on. For those who haven’t, but are still looking for an informative and moving read, this maybe the book you are looking for.

This book is so much more than a narrative of what life is like as a TBI sufferer and, as can be read through the words of the Author’s Wife, living with someone affected; this book takes the reader right back to the very beginning and show more lays the groundwork for what is to come later in life. It is written with a sense of humour only to be expected from the ‘Hamster’, whilst at the same time being very frank and honest as to how life radically changed for him and his family. At times, as he describes his recovery, the words become almost heart wrenching as he tries to come to terms with life as it is now.

Those who read this and understand how hard living with TBI can be, will thoroughly agree with the Author as he writes about his frustrations at having to relearn his life, and also be there with his Wife as she goes through the waiting phase after the injury. I am being very vague here with regard to the incident that resulted in TBI, as I don’t want to take the impact of that section of the book away from anyone who might pick this up and read it.

It is a very easy read, and felt at times as if I were sat with the Author talking about this over a cup of something hot. There are moments in the book where it feels as if the Author were in two minds as to whether he was going to share a particular item with the reader as it was too painful to relive, but share he does so as to make anyone, and their Families, feel like they are not alone whilst going through this kind of thing.

This is a very important book in the world of TBI; it gives hope and encouragement to all parties involved when none may have been promised by medical staff. I would highly recommend this book to anyone going through this, and those who want to know more.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/08/review-on-the-edge-richard-hammond-mindy-h...




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. show less

On the Edge This is an excellent book, I listen to it a couple of years ago as an audiobook, but bought it now because 1.) It was so good I want to read it again and 2.) It will look smashing on my bookshelf 3.) I have a bit of a Top Gear obsession (and I’m not even a car fan.

But anyway, if you are after a great autobiographical book, then this is one I wholeheartedly recommend! I do btw recommend the audio book because both Richard and his wife Mindy is narrating the book, with Mindy taking over the story when Richard is inured. It's a very gripping story and you could really feel Mindy's anxiety when she learned about the accident and not knowing if he would survive.

If you, or anyone in your life is suffering from the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), this autobiography written by one of the UK’s most loved auto show presenters is a must read for you. Hammond is one of the trio that presents the UK version of Top Gear and for those who have seen the show they will automatically know to what incident in his life this book centres on. For those who haven’t, but are still looking for an informative and moving read, this maybe the book you are looking for.

This book is so much more than a narrative of what life is like as a TBI sufferer and, as can be read through the words of the Author’s Wife, living with someone affected; this book takes the reader right back to the very beginning and show more lays the groundwork for what is to come later in life. It is written with a sense of humour only to be expected from the ‘Hamster’, whilst at the same time being very frank and honest as to how life radically changed for him and his family. At times, as he describes his recovery, the words become almost heart wrenching as he tries to come to terms with life as it is now.

Those who read this and understand how hard living with TBI can be, will thoroughly agree with the Author as he writes about his frustrations at having to relearn his life, and also be there with his Wife as she goes through the waiting phase after the injury. I am being very vague here with regard to the incident that resulted in TBI, as I don’t want to take the impact of that section of the book away from anyone who might pick this up and read it.

It is a very easy read, and felt at times as if I were sat with the Author talking about this over a cup of something hot. There are moments in the book where it feels as if the Author were in two minds as to whether he was going to share a particular item with the reader as it was too painful to relive, but share he does so as to make anyone, and their Families, feel like they are not alone whilst going through this kind of thing.

This is a very important book in the world of TBI; it gives hope and encouragement to all parties involved when none may have been promised by medical staff. I would highly recommend this book to anyone going through this, and those who want to know more.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/04/08/review-on-the-edge-richard-hammond-mindy-h...




This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. show less

I initially started this book with the aim to read it on my daily commute- I’ve read Richard Hammond’s other books and while I find them funny and entertaining, I’m sure his keyboard needs frequent replacement keys for the comma- he uses them that much. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book has just enough commas (maybe it’s his wife’s influence- if so, Mindy, can you please co-write with him in the future)?

The book starts innocently enough- a short trip through Richard’s childhood and how he became one of the hosts of Top Gear. We then move to Richard filming driving a jet car- which he then crashes and is seriously injured.

Mindy (his wife) then takes over- her shock and horror (including hearing on the radio show more how her husband was in a critical condition- she wasn’t aware at the time) and coping with two children and a menagerie of pets on top of a husband in ICU. She writes very well and I immediately transferred this to my ‘main’ book to read. I simply couldn’t wait for Monday to roll around to find out what happened next!

Richard has brain damage and eventually comes out of ICU to a HDA-type area (high dependency) - he looks fine apart from a smashed eye and will talk dime a dozen to anyone. Unfortunately, he has a goldfish type memory and repeatedly asks for a cigarette or beer or to join the party. He just can’t remember that he’s had a crash and is in hospital.

Gradually though, his memory starts to return (I found the part where Mindy gives Richard the newspaper report of the crash to read very teary) and he is released from hospital. The problem is, how do you find somewhere for a Top Gear host to recover- in peace? Military precision allows the family to escape to seclusion to Scotland where Richard slowly recovers.

I’m glad the Hamster has recovered, Top Gear wouldn’t have been the same without him. This is a great book to read from a patient/family perspective of hospitals and yes, you will get references to Jezza and Captain Slow.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com show less

As a fan of Top Gear (though a new fan), I'd read articles about Richard Hammond's accident, but I had no idea of the details or his recovery. I picked up his biography on a whim, I haven't read a lot of bios, but I do tend to enjoy them. Hammon's biography was no exception. It was a fantastic, easy to read book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Written after the crash, the book is in three parts, though not really divided as such). The first takes place as Richard is a child, then growing up and working odd jobs and eventually Top Gear. The middle section is about the accident. It starts with the idea of driving a jet-powered car, the execution of said experiment, and then the accident itself. In the middle, we get a new point of view, that show more of Hammond's love and articulate wife, Mindy. The third part details the recovery and some life after the crash. It's a highly enjoyable and strong biography and you don't really need to be a fan of Top Gear to enjoy it. show less

Purchased this book for my husband an avid fan of 'Top Gear' and therefor Richard Hammond to read, but as he isn't a book lover he wasn't interested in it, so I read it instead. So glad I did it was a truly inspirational and heartwarming read. The battle faced by Richard, his wife Mindy and their children after his horrific high speed car accident hit close to home. I too was involved, not in a high speed accident, but one bad enough to close the Hume Highway, requiring me to be cut out of the wreckage and airlifted to the Alfred Hospital's spinal unit. All the emotions, up's and down's and 'What If's' you go through during your recovery was talked about in his story. Thankfully like myself Richard came through his ordeal fully show more recovered. As I could relate completely with his story, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who has/is facing a similar fate, as it's a book about faith, courage and love. show less