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Рожденный разрушать

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Новая книга Джереми Кларксона разрушает стереотипы. Все, что вы знали о жизни и об автомобилях, лучше забыть. Просто прочитайте книгу и окажется, что вы ничего не знали о Lexus IS 25, Mercedes ML 320, BMW M3 CS, Lamborghini Gallardo да и о Ford Focus. Да что там Ford Focus! Вы ничего не знали о Британии и ее нравах, о лондонской кухне и албанских эмигрантах, о войне в Ираке и московских миллионерах, об автомате AK-47, Стивене Фрае и изменении климата. Более того, выяснится, что вы ничего не знали и о самом Джереми.

480 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

65 people are currently reading
697 people want to read

About the author

Jeremy Clarkson

60 books1,087 followers
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson (born April 11, 1960) is an English broadcaster and writer who specialises in motoring.

He writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun, but is better known for his role on the BBC television programme Top Gear.

From a career as a local journalist in the north of England, he rose to public prominence as a presenter of the original format of Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s Clarkson has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows and appearing as a guest on other shows. As well as motoring, Clarkson has produced programmes and books on subjects such as history and engineering. From 1998 to 2000 he also hosted his own chat show, Clarkson.

His opinionated but humorous tongue-in-cheek writing and presenting style has often generated much public reaction to his viewpoints. His actions both privately and as a Top Gear presenter have also sometimes resulted in criticism from the media, politicians, pressure groups and the public.

As well as the criticism levelled against him, Clarkson also generated a significant following in the public at large, being credited as a factor in the resurgence of Top Gear to the most popular show on BBC Two, and calls for him to be made Prime Minister. Clarkson himself was keen to downplay his perceived influence on the British public, stating he regularly contradicts himself, and would make a "rubbish" Prime Minister.

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5 stars
264 (20%)
4 stars
434 (33%)
3 stars
434 (33%)
2 stars
123 (9%)
1 star
39 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for 15LonghurstW.
3 reviews
May 5, 2018
Really funny book, great for people who want a good laugh and aren't easily offended. I find the funniest bit to be the part about how the people of Norfolk haven't reached the twentieth century yet.
Really funny, but not for the easily offended.
Profile Image for AndrewP.
1,659 reviews47 followers
March 8, 2025
Another book collecting Clarkson's weekly columns from newspapers and magazines. All of these are some 3 or 4 pages in length, so this is the ideal book to have laying around the house to read when you have a spare minute or two.
Almost all of the articles relate to cars and other aspects of motoring and as this was written in the 90's some knowledge of British cars and social issues from that era is useful but not essential. I did look up a couple that sounded interesting but for the most part I got what he was talking about from the description.
Of course, everything is presented in the unique politically incorrect Clarkson style and he makes fun of just about everybody and everything. Obviously, easily offended lightweights should avoid this book. For me I got a laugh out of most of it, even though he makes fun of my home county of Norfolk on the cover:)
Profile Image for Sourav Dutta.
6 reviews27 followers
March 24, 2012
I've been a fan of Jeremy Clarkson since I saw my first episode of Top Gear some years back. I've read a few of his books since, and have absolutely loved every page. Born to be Riled is essentially a collection of Sunday newspaper articles written by Clarkson. Every single one of them is essentially the review of a car but they end up being so much more.
This book will earn you a few strange looks from those in the vicinity as you will undoubtedly break down into fits of giggling from time to time. I read the entire book with a big smile and as such have been labelled a nut by my friends. This book is a heady mix of hyperbole, sarcasm, madness, cars, England and the ravings of an opinionated motor journalist with a humorous take on every subject on the planet.
Clarkson's writing is fabulous and undeniably poised, it really is a hard book to put down. Best thing though, you don't have to read the thing in one go, though I have a feeling you probably will...
Profile Image for Ben Gillam.
28 reviews
February 5, 2013
Despite being quite an old book now this is another great example of Clarkson's controversial and as a result hilariously funny wit. Not for everyone I know and he has his enemies but if you are in any way a fan I think you'll enjoy this book. Missed out on 5 stars only because it felt a little bit long.
Profile Image for Rupak Banerjee.
24 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2014
The book is a compilation of his weekly articles. This is before the era of the new BBC Top Gear. But that does not mean Clarkson is any less shrewd. He tears into manufacturers. But even more than that, his target falls on society and the British govt. Ideal for light reading and simply enjoying. No serious content. Enjoyed reading it thoroughly.
Profile Image for Shawna.
288 reviews15 followers
March 16, 2010
Jeremy Clarkson is a co-host of the car show Top Gear, so it's no surprise that this book is all about cars, roads, and driving. He has a great sense of humor and parts of it are funny, but all the car details just go right over my head.
Profile Image for Nada  Abandah.
116 reviews26 followers
February 8, 2011
I was expecting a good read, fun & informative or interesting! But actually, it was a bit boring, he talks about things from a prespective that makes you question why did you like a person with that dark and twisted psyche. Never finished it.
Profile Image for Henri Moreaux.
1,001 reviews33 followers
January 18, 2013
Started off good, few hearty laughs but became a little repetitious by the last quarter.

That's not to say it is poorly written, the articles on their own are good, but condensed together is when the problem arose.
Profile Image for Nick.
67 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2014
Brilliantly written. One of the few books I've literally laughed out loud to. On the other hand, very dull when taken by itself; it's like cabbage- good for you though only to accompany other mains :)
Profile Image for Beverly Gardner.
11 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2014
A compilation of his columns from The Sunday Times, and a wicked observation on just about everything. Love this mans critical eye and acerbic wit. Particularly the four stages of man;- Buying washing up bowls, Tuning the car radio to radio 2, The School Run, and finally, Gardening. How true.
Profile Image for David.
401 reviews
July 12, 2018
Ok. The author was humorous-but the book was over 15 years old, and as an American-I had issues with some of the British wording/humor. But it was an easy read. I did gain some insight into British life.
Profile Image for Annie.
81 reviews11 followers
June 8, 2010
Brilliantly Clarkson, as usual. Unfortunately, repeatedly reading about bus lanes is, I imagine, rather akin to sitting in heavy traffic looking at them. . .
Profile Image for Ross Firth.
41 reviews
December 11, 2018
A great book to dip into, with some genuinely funny moments. But not one you can read long-term: you'll end up either hating cars, hating Clarkson, or inevitably both.
60 reviews
May 16, 2023
Funny, but a bit dated now, and very UK-centric.
I've put it in our street library.
423 reviews3 followers
May 30, 2024
Typical JC. Would have been better edited to 300 pages. Too much repetition.
30 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2017
Мне не понравилась обложка серии "Чтения дюаристов", особенно когда я увидел оригинал, изданный в Англии. И это единственный недостаток книги. Издание качественное, бумага отличная. Но главное — КАКИЕ ЖЕ ОТЛИЧНЫЕ ТЕКСТЫ!

Вообще это подборка колонок Кларксона для воскресной (развлекательной) газеты The Sunday Times. Большая часть колонок состоит из двух частей. В первой блистательный английский журналист говорит о каком-то факте или явлении обыденной жизни. О жизни в Норвегии, о налогах, об отношениях с PR-службами автопроизводителей, или о том, что собирается проводить мотоциклетное шоу гомосексуалистов под кокаином в Южной Америке, чтобы стать нескучным для желтогазетных писателей его биографии. Во второй он пишет про какую-нибудь машину. Удивительно то, что обе части стыкуются между собой без проблем. Просто Кларксон соблюдает единство места и времени, или сводит к нему рассказ хотя бы несколькими фразами.

Перевод — один из лучших в 2011 году. Я бы даже настаивал на какой-нибудь премии для переводчиков. В то время как делающие русскую версию передачи Top Gear просто выкидывают половину текста, и не могут донести две трети шуток, здесь люди выложились на 100%.
82 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2019
I didn't read most of this book. I skipped around among the articles that seemed promising, meaning the most likely to interest or amuse me. I was almost universally disappointed. I have long been a fan of Clarkson's television appearances. But what is best about him is his inherent and unplanned humor. This book just tries too hard to be amusing. But it's not. I bought this book used at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore retail center, and at $0.99, I overpaid
Profile Image for Gary.
351 reviews
August 15, 2020
I generally find Clarkson quite entertaining, although his views and derogatory comments have always been a little outdated. Reading this collection of articles 20 years after initial publication means that some of the comments have not aged well and, obviously, the cars that he talks about are no longer in production (at least not the same versions).
I didn't dislike the book, but it wasn't great either, and it's too dated to be able to recommend.
Profile Image for Shantesh.
66 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2018
Though it may be a book that will appeal a bit more to car enthusiasts it’s something that everyone should try read. One of the funniest books I have read in a while. Not for the easily offended though. It’s also a nice insight into various aspects of Britain from more than a decade ago
Profile Image for ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ.
1,113 reviews17 followers
March 12, 2019
I've been reading this for years. (Ten, in fact!) It's got Clarkson's wit but it's 100% about cars. It's a collection of his news columns on automobiles. For Petrolheads only. I prefer his World According to Clarkson.
Profile Image for Metalfist.
383 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2023
Ik moet toegeven, het was een gok toen ik zowat anderhalf jaar geleden deze bundel van Jeremy Clarkson aanschafte. Een trouwe kijker van Top Gear kun je me niet noemen, maar het was wel het enige autoprogramma waarbij ik altijd wel bleef hangen wanneer ik het zag passeren. Niet omdat auto's me zo interesseren, het was eerder voor de leuke dynamiek tussen de drie gastheren. Normaal gezien blijft een nieuw boek wel een tijdje liggen vooraleer ik er aan begin, maar ik begon Born to be Riled te lezen ergens begin augustus 2017.

Dat is geen typfout trouwens, die 2017. Ongetwijfeld is dit het boek waar ik het langst over heb gedaan maar dat is vooral te wijten aan het feit dat dit een droge verzameling van columns is die Clarkson door de jaren bij elkaar pende. Sommige zijn goed en sommige zijn ronduit saai, sommige zijn technisch en sommige zijn gewoon persoonlijke frustraties. Interessant leesvoer in ieder geval, maar wel in de zin dat je het na zo'n column of 3 à 4 (zo'n column is ongeveer 1 tot 1.5 pagina lang) wel weer hebt gehad. Born to be Riled is dan ook het perfecte boek dat je als tussendoortje kunt lezen. Ik heb het in ieder geval 's avonds vaak gebruikt als een afleiding voor een minuutje of 10 voor het slapen gaan. Op literair vlak stelt het echter allemaal niet veel voor en vraag ik me af of dit echt een meerwaarde heeft. Naar het schijnt bestaan er nog zo'n talloze andere verzamelingen van Clarkson maar die ga ik in ieder geval links laten liggen.

Veel gaat dus over auto's maar een beetje kennis van het Groot Brittanië uit de jaren '90 is ook wel meegenomen trouwens, anders gaan de columns over politiek een beetje aan je voorbij. Vooral voor de liefhebbers van Top Gear (en dan misschien eerder nog Clarkson in het algemeen omdat er hier geen James May of Richard Hammond zijn als klankbord) lijkt me dit de moeite waard te zijn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tom Elliott.
2 reviews
November 18, 2013
Some of the articles are dated by their focus on politicians, policies and issues of the era (mid-90s) but most is still interesting at the very least and the car stuff is pretty timeless. An excellent read.
Profile Image for Alicia Mikolajczyk.
13 reviews
May 25, 2016
Hilariously funny - for every motor fan - is a must lecture and for non-motorist - it's still great deal of humour:)
Jeremy has a talent for good story telling. Highly recommended. I literally LMAO :))
Profile Image for D..
Author 14 books91 followers
Read
October 2, 2009
Born to Be Riled by Jeremy Clarkson (2007)
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