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When You Dead, You Dead
'The maddest 12 months of my life. The journey starts with an oddball race up an American mountain and ends with me checking myself out of hospital with a broken back. Again …'As Guy’s Latvian grandfather frequently reminded him, ‘When you dead, you dead’. So before it’s all over, Guy Martin is making the most of the time he’s got. In this past year alone, Guy has raced the Isle of Man TT and finished on the podium; bike trekked through India; competed in solo 24-hour bicycles races; flown a stunt plane; broken a go-kart speed record down a French mountain and attempted to break the motorcycle land-speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats. And he’s done all this around his day job as a truck mechanic. But let Guy tell you about it ‘This book starts in a Transit, ends in a Transit, and in between I’ve raced a few pushbikes, raced a few motorbikes and got a fair few stories to tell you.’ Spot on.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2015
67 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Guy Martin
50 books85 followersGuy Martin is publicly known primarily as an English motorcycle racer, who also works as a lorry mechanic and TV presenter. He has mainly competed in road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and North West 200. Since 2011, Martin has also found success as the front man of several television programmes focusing on his passions of engineering, motor vehicles and speed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 26, 2015
An enjoyable book, written as a brain dump, typical Guy Martin.
I think to enjoy it you have to like, or at least be a fan of the IoM TT and of Guy. I realise he is not to everyone's taste, but as a fan this was an interesting glimpse into his hectic but fun packed life.
SEMI - SPOILER FOLLOWING
If what he says in the last chapter is true then, the TT will not be as exciting ☹☹
I think to enjoy it you have to like, or at least be a fan of the IoM TT and of Guy. I realise he is not to everyone's taste, but as a fan this was an interesting glimpse into his hectic but fun packed life.
SEMI - SPOILER FOLLOWING
If what he says in the last chapter is true then, the TT will not be as exciting ☹☹
January 30, 2016
It were right good! Loved it, now I know it's about motor bikes, and racing, etc,, but it's Guy Martin ! It's funny, mad, entertaining, interesting, and you come away, feeling as if you actually know Guy! He's a man's man, not snotty, or the big I am, he's down to earth, a proper Yorkshire lad, like I said " It's right good" " A grand book"
January 9, 2016
Very much what you would expect from Guy: quirky and to the point. Proper job.
September 5, 2021
Enjoyed it much more than I'd expected. Rather 'earthy' as should be expected and no great literary masterpiece, but a riveting read.
July 23, 2022
I can't believe I'm reading books written by a TV celeb, but Guy Martin is different, his merits from the Isle of Man TT are spectacular. So I'm reading him for the motorbike stories. And to be honest I like reading about all the other silly things he does too.
After reading this for a while I realised I'd read it already, at least I think so. Either that or he talks about the same things in different books. It is a bit repetetive, so only a four for this one.
After reading this for a while I realised I'd read it already, at least I think so. Either that or he talks about the same things in different books. It is a bit repetetive, so only a four for this one.
January 10, 2016
I personally really enjoyed this book,its a very easy read and enjoyable,quick read.I don't have that daredevil in myself so being able to read about Guys experiences was an interesting take on that side of things.Guy has a very hands on approach to life and this appealed to this reader. Enjoyable,quick read
January 2, 2017
Eye opening honesty
Guy is totally honest about the way he see's the world. To a fan of Guy it makes you reassess how you view him. I now see him as insensitive and self centred with little acknowledges of his fan base and how it has positioned him.
Guy is totally honest about the way he see's the world. To a fan of Guy it makes you reassess how you view him. I now see him as insensitive and self centred with little acknowledges of his fan base and how it has positioned him.
May 13, 2018
With his trademark honesty and ‘everyman’ delivery, Guy Martin follows on from his highly successful autobiography with more amusing, quirky and adrenaline-fuelled antics from around the globe. I received the hardback edition of this title as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and I’m very pleased with it. The illustrations and maps by Ryan Quickfall are superbly done and there are plenty of photographs from Guy’s adventures as well.
The book picks up where the autobiography left off, condensing a hectic year into one 300+ page volume. Whereas the previous book was a recollection of Guy’s childhood and career up to that point, this has been written as events transpired. The title comes from the wise words of Guy’s grandfather, stressing that once it’s over, it’s over, and you should pack as much into this short life as possible.
Several notable events are covered that will be familiar to those who have watched Guy’s Speed series of programmes and the one-off specials that have been filmed for Channel 4 here in the UK. Despite vehemently stressing that he’s ‘just a truck fitter from Grimsby’, Guy has been afforded once in a lifetime opportunities by his TV work and in my opinion these shows are always very well put together. For example, his participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on a Martek-framed turbo bike and travelling around India on a Royal Enfield were both hugely entertaining. The preparations for the Wall of Death attempt were left on a cliffhanger, which is unfortunate, but this and other loose ends have been finished up in another book Guy has since published called Worms to Catch and I’ll be ordering it at some point. Guy was also able to ride the Britten V1000, a legendary bike handmade by John Britten and others in New Zealand, and this was certainly a ‘bucket list’ moment for him.
On top of all these excursions, and alongside his day job, Guy has continued to compete in road races (at least at the time of writing) in Ireland and at the Isle of Man, chasing the elusive Senior TT win. Those who have read the previous book will be aware of Guy’s attitude to racing and he evokes the same frankness and honesty when describing his brutal crash in 2015 at the Ulster Grand Prix.
It’s clear that Guy is uncomfortable with the fame and attention that the television work has brought him. However, it’s also evident that he has done a lot of self-analysis and understands the situations that cause him problems. He seems like a person that just wants to get on with things and be left alone, away from the trappings of celebrity, and this outlook is rather refreshing in this day and age. He has a wide range of interests and pursuits but is constantly grounded by the fact that the ‘tail doesn’t wag the dog’. For instance, he doesn’t need the television work to sustain him because of his job as a truck mechanic, and this was a principal reason for his turning down of the coveted Top Gear role. He values autonomy and will only do things he is interested in – a situation few of us can relate to – but he is well aware that his day job has made this possible.
WYDYD is another quirky, riveting and funny account, filled with unique humour and anecdotes, that will be a great read not just for the road racing and motorbike enthusiast, but also those that have followed Guy’s exploits over the past few years on television and elsewhere.
The book picks up where the autobiography left off, condensing a hectic year into one 300+ page volume. Whereas the previous book was a recollection of Guy’s childhood and career up to that point, this has been written as events transpired. The title comes from the wise words of Guy’s grandfather, stressing that once it’s over, it’s over, and you should pack as much into this short life as possible.
Several notable events are covered that will be familiar to those who have watched Guy’s Speed series of programmes and the one-off specials that have been filmed for Channel 4 here in the UK. Despite vehemently stressing that he’s ‘just a truck fitter from Grimsby’, Guy has been afforded once in a lifetime opportunities by his TV work and in my opinion these shows are always very well put together. For example, his participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on a Martek-framed turbo bike and travelling around India on a Royal Enfield were both hugely entertaining. The preparations for the Wall of Death attempt were left on a cliffhanger, which is unfortunate, but this and other loose ends have been finished up in another book Guy has since published called Worms to Catch and I’ll be ordering it at some point. Guy was also able to ride the Britten V1000, a legendary bike handmade by John Britten and others in New Zealand, and this was certainly a ‘bucket list’ moment for him.
On top of all these excursions, and alongside his day job, Guy has continued to compete in road races (at least at the time of writing) in Ireland and at the Isle of Man, chasing the elusive Senior TT win. Those who have read the previous book will be aware of Guy’s attitude to racing and he evokes the same frankness and honesty when describing his brutal crash in 2015 at the Ulster Grand Prix.
It’s clear that Guy is uncomfortable with the fame and attention that the television work has brought him. However, it’s also evident that he has done a lot of self-analysis and understands the situations that cause him problems. He seems like a person that just wants to get on with things and be left alone, away from the trappings of celebrity, and this outlook is rather refreshing in this day and age. He has a wide range of interests and pursuits but is constantly grounded by the fact that the ‘tail doesn’t wag the dog’. For instance, he doesn’t need the television work to sustain him because of his job as a truck mechanic, and this was a principal reason for his turning down of the coveted Top Gear role. He values autonomy and will only do things he is interested in – a situation few of us can relate to – but he is well aware that his day job has made this possible.
WYDYD is another quirky, riveting and funny account, filled with unique humour and anecdotes, that will be a great read not just for the road racing and motorbike enthusiast, but also those that have followed Guy’s exploits over the past few years on television and elsewhere.
October 5, 2017
This is a continuation of Guy Martins autobiography and starts in July 2014 and ends with the infamous Ulster GP in August 2015, so it is highly recommended to read his first autobiography: Guy Martin: My Autobiography covering from 1981 to 2014, even though this book covers only 1 year and his last covered 33 they are actually the same length (this one being around 10 pages longer) with this book going further in depth into his life with him obviously keeping a diary with an autobiography in mind rather than having to remember what he has done
This book is more about the television work that he does with the first few chapters documenting his 2nd series of the ‘Speed’ TV program and you clearly begin to see that he is getting tired with road racing (well what comes with road racing) and he states numerous times that he feels like retiring, which to me as a casual motorbike rider who has done nothing more than ride on public roads and the odd track day here and there, this did become a little irksome as many people (myself included) would give almost anything for the skill and opportunity that Guy Martin has, but after over 15 years of road racing his disdain is probably within reason and is easier to take from someone like him who still works a normal job (a truck fitter) and isn’t a professional racer. The fact that he is recognised often is now even starting to diminish his love of mountain bike racing as well
This is similar to his previous autobiography with the main difference to me being that in the first book he is infatuated with motorbike and motorbike racing whereas in this one he seems to hate it (maybe a bit strong), even stating when Ryan Farquhar returned to road racing from a 2 year absence that he quit while he was ahead and should have found something else to do, I think as this book was written as everything happened, he didn’t quite realise how whenever motorbike racing was mentioned how negative he was, with him saying its not his bread and butter and how he thinks he should retire. Also as previously said in his first autobiography his television work was an afterthought and didn't have much of a mention whereas it makes up the majority of biography, but as his television work was more ambitious for this year with him trying to break the land speed record for a hovercraft and a motorbike and riding a wall of death, It was rather interesting reading about it
I feel it would be pertinent to mention that Guy Martin's next book Guy Martin: Worms to Catch is kind of required reading after this as some things are not taken to their conclusion in this book such as his wall of death ride and his motorbike land-speed record, the training takes place in this book, in 2014-2015, but the actual record attempt doesn't take place until 2015-2016
This book is more about the television work that he does with the first few chapters documenting his 2nd series of the ‘Speed’ TV program and you clearly begin to see that he is getting tired with road racing (well what comes with road racing) and he states numerous times that he feels like retiring, which to me as a casual motorbike rider who has done nothing more than ride on public roads and the odd track day here and there, this did become a little irksome as many people (myself included) would give almost anything for the skill and opportunity that Guy Martin has, but after over 15 years of road racing his disdain is probably within reason and is easier to take from someone like him who still works a normal job (a truck fitter) and isn’t a professional racer. The fact that he is recognised often is now even starting to diminish his love of mountain bike racing as well
This is similar to his previous autobiography with the main difference to me being that in the first book he is infatuated with motorbike and motorbike racing whereas in this one he seems to hate it (maybe a bit strong), even stating when Ryan Farquhar returned to road racing from a 2 year absence that he quit while he was ahead and should have found something else to do, I think as this book was written as everything happened, he didn’t quite realise how whenever motorbike racing was mentioned how negative he was, with him saying its not his bread and butter and how he thinks he should retire. Also as previously said in his first autobiography his television work was an afterthought and didn't have much of a mention whereas it makes up the majority of biography, but as his television work was more ambitious for this year with him trying to break the land speed record for a hovercraft and a motorbike and riding a wall of death, It was rather interesting reading about it
I feel it would be pertinent to mention that Guy Martin's next book Guy Martin: Worms to Catch is kind of required reading after this as some things are not taken to their conclusion in this book such as his wall of death ride and his motorbike land-speed record, the training takes place in this book, in 2014-2015, but the actual record attempt doesn't take place until 2015-2016
June 21, 2025
Bought from the library withdrawn section for 50p. This book broke my heart. Guy “easy on the eye” Martin, was someone I thought was just a lovely bloke. My heart was broken a bit because although I loved his honesty, he did at times come across as a bit of a Neanderthal, but as someone who doesn’t like big crowds, has a set way to focus before a race but is able to have the life he does because of his fans, I felt like he disliked that aspect of his life so much that he couldn’t see when he had to engage with it and when he had to flex because he’s part of a much bigger team. So I felt he came across as a bit self-centred.
It came as no surprise that he was later diagnosed with Asperger’s and may explain some of the things I found a bit annoying above. Yet, it’s also what makes him so compelling: he’s curious and committed to his interests (the photo of the parts washer made me laugh). And I do love someone who has specialist interests even if they are wildly different to my own.
However, I felt he was quite judgemental of people who don’t have his same level of energy. But then I did read this when I was struggling to sleep and feeling wrecked all the time.
It’s an interesting book though, very niche with its forensic explanations of bike engines and races. Still, I got something out of it, despite the broken heart! 🤣
It came as no surprise that he was later diagnosed with Asperger’s and may explain some of the things I found a bit annoying above. Yet, it’s also what makes him so compelling: he’s curious and committed to his interests (the photo of the parts washer made me laugh). And I do love someone who has specialist interests even if they are wildly different to my own.
However, I felt he was quite judgemental of people who don’t have his same level of energy. But then I did read this when I was struggling to sleep and feeling wrecked all the time.
It’s an interesting book though, very niche with its forensic explanations of bike engines and races. Still, I got something out of it, despite the broken heart! 🤣
June 2, 2017
"It's time for the next job, because, as my grandad Voldemars Kidals always said, 'When you dead, you dead..'"
This is the second book by Guy that I've read and I an say that I much preferred the first. Okay, so this one was better in a few ways, like being able to have seen the programs he discussed, I'm not sure I could do that in the first, but it didn't feel as interesting as the autobiography in 2014. However, this book was really interesting. I really enjoyed reading it, and I wished I hadn't picked up other books whilst I was reading it. I stopped when the book began to get really good. I feel like this book also shows his problematic side a lot more than the first one did, and I was grateful for the honesty he shared whilst writing this. He said from the start that he has wrote this book as he goes, and hasn't gone back to change how his feelings were at that time, and it was noticable near the end when he said that he no longer wanted to do the pedal bike races. It felt real, somehow.
I was shocked to read at the end that he's giving up motorbike racing, I honestly thought that would be how he died, but I understand where he's coming from. If he's no longer getting enjoyment out of it, quit. There's no point risking your life just to make others happy.
This is the second book by Guy that I've read and I an say that I much preferred the first. Okay, so this one was better in a few ways, like being able to have seen the programs he discussed, I'm not sure I could do that in the first, but it didn't feel as interesting as the autobiography in 2014. However, this book was really interesting. I really enjoyed reading it, and I wished I hadn't picked up other books whilst I was reading it. I stopped when the book began to get really good. I feel like this book also shows his problematic side a lot more than the first one did, and I was grateful for the honesty he shared whilst writing this. He said from the start that he has wrote this book as he goes, and hasn't gone back to change how his feelings were at that time, and it was noticable near the end when he said that he no longer wanted to do the pedal bike races. It felt real, somehow.
I was shocked to read at the end that he's giving up motorbike racing, I honestly thought that would be how he died, but I understand where he's coming from. If he's no longer getting enjoyment out of it, quit. There's no point risking your life just to make others happy.
February 10, 2018
Like sitting down with the otherwise private and difficult to approach Guy Martin and listening to his deepest thoughts. Compared to his biography, the narrative flow in this one is much smoother. If you've watched him on TV, this is an interesting look at what happened behind the scenes.
In an age of celebrity Guy's approach to it (ranging from general disdain to outright anger) is a refreshing change. When he's trying to get his head on for a race, having a bunch of people getting in his face and demanding his attention is more than he, or I suspect most people, can handle. Being a celebrity is work, and doing it well is a skill. This book shines a light on that.
If you like Guy, you'll enjoy this read. If you're interested in modern celebrity culture, this book shines a light on it from a not often seen angle.
In an age of celebrity Guy's approach to it (ranging from general disdain to outright anger) is a refreshing change. When he's trying to get his head on for a race, having a bunch of people getting in his face and demanding his attention is more than he, or I suspect most people, can handle. Being a celebrity is work, and doing it well is a skill. This book shines a light on that.
If you like Guy, you'll enjoy this read. If you're interested in modern celebrity culture, this book shines a light on it from a not often seen angle.
January 3, 2018
What a brilliant read , I love this Guy (no pun intended!) he is soo down to earth he's almost permanently horizontal !. You can easily imagine him sitting down with a mug of tea telling you these stories as you read this book !. the things he has done is amazing and you really will him on in his accomplishments !, No Bullshit from Guy which is a nice change , he is what he is, like him or not he doesn't care and I like him and respect him all the more for it !, I've missed his autobiography which I should have read before this but never mind its on my to read list and I shall no doubt read that soon !.
June 6, 2018
The reluctant celebrity tells stories of the events in his life, many of them connected with the Channel 4 TV series on Speed. A particularly funny recounting of the background details of the attempt on the world speed record for the soap box that was filmed for Speed.
Guy tells it as it is all the way through the book and makes it obvious that he is the reluctant celebrity who spurns fan attention when he can otherwise "Brian the Chimp" gets out. He's first and foremost a lorry fitter, something that seems to be lost in all the TV shows that he appears in.
Worth a read on your public transport journeys into work.
Guy tells it as it is all the way through the book and makes it obvious that he is the reluctant celebrity who spurns fan attention when he can otherwise "Brian the Chimp" gets out. He's first and foremost a lorry fitter, something that seems to be lost in all the TV shows that he appears in.
Worth a read on your public transport journeys into work.
February 14, 2017
Mint book. If I ever met Guy Martin, or saw him, my Brian would want to say 'Holy Shit I love you!!!!'But my adult brain would nod and say, well nothing, I would just nod. I might risk a hello if I was walking my dog and he had Nige. Top book, curious now to find out more about TT. Definitely off to Truckfest, been on the list for too long. Love his outlook on life and his loyalty to himself and those that matter, both people and things. A cracking good read!
December 10, 2017
I admit reading his words is way more easier to me than to listen to him. He speaks the way he rides motorbikes. Darn fast.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book from the first page to the last. Every word of it. Content of the book is well put together and Guy's train of thoughts caught in words is clear and interesting.
From my point of view no previous knowledge of Guy Martin is required. Just sit down, make a tea (no coffee!) and enjoy this peek into his life.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book from the first page to the last. Every word of it. Content of the book is well put together and Guy's train of thoughts caught in words is clear and interesting.
From my point of view no previous knowledge of Guy Martin is required. Just sit down, make a tea (no coffee!) and enjoy this peek into his life.
November 24, 2018
Enjoyed that, and felt like I’d learned bits and pieces along the way. Very easy read - even easier if you read it in Guy’s voice - and it kept me interested from cover to cover. I understood from others that he was down to earth; I hadn’t realised just how grounded. For someone people regard as a “celebrity” it was heartening to see the humanity, humility and normality of a truck fitter from Grimsby who gets to do some off the wall stuff from time to time.
June 5, 2020
An entertaining, quick and easy read. I have had this on the bookshelf for a while, so I know what he has gone on to do in the years following his UGP crash but good to read his thoughts in the moment back then.
You know what you are getting with a GM book and you get it here again! Just amazed that with his crazy busy schedule he found a spare minute to do the writing.
You know what you are getting with a GM book and you get it here again! Just amazed that with his crazy busy schedule he found a spare minute to do the writing.
November 7, 2018
Guy Martin Legend
Read from cover to cover in one go. The man is simply a machine in whatever he can turn his hand to. Just a year of his life is a fascinating in site to how he ticks. A must for all Martin fans.
Read from cover to cover in one go. The man is simply a machine in whatever he can turn his hand to. Just a year of his life is a fascinating in site to how he ticks. A must for all Martin fans.
August 17, 2024
A proper decent read. I've now bought the box set of Guys TV shows ,bought the chimp book and ordered the Hitler book! I do believe he is having a great influence on me. Cheers Guy ,now let's get that kettle on for a proper brew! 😁
May 20, 2017
This is an entertaining read follows the sane line and style of the other books
September 19, 2017
Nice piece of kit.
July 6, 2018
I'm glad someone else narrated the audio book. Good and entertaining read.
November 28, 2018
Excellent read😁.
January 25, 2019
Mapped out an unbelievable year in his life. Even the mundane is made intriguing by his writing.
April 9, 2019
Love this guy
May 10, 2019
Seriously to the point
Such a great read with the insight of what he Is thinking or experiencing at that particular moment
Such a great read with the insight of what he Is thinking or experiencing at that particular moment
June 11, 2019
Fast paced...well, would you expect any less :) written very well, entertaining and educational, well done Guy.
January 29, 2020
Very funny and entertaining
May 19, 2020
What I liked about the book is it's written very much as Guy speaks. On the whole it is written as though it would be in a diary. I could only read so much at a time though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews