Jeremy Clarkson

"Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you."

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 program 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

What genres does Jeremy Clarkson write in?

He primarily writes non-fiction focused on motoring and automotive topics, often as humorous, opinionated essays. He has also produced books touching on history and engineering.

Which book is a good place to start with his work?

The World According to Clarkson Volume One is a strong introduction to his opinionated, tongue-in-cheek column style. For a motoring-centered read, How Hard Can It Be? is another accessible choice.

Are The World According to Clarkson books a series and must they be read in order?

They are published as multiple volumes compiling his columns and essays. Each volume is largely standalone, so you can read them in any order.

Do his books tie into his Top Gear work?

Many of his books draw on motoring themes and some are Top Gear tie-ins, but others are collections of his newspaper columns or stand-alone books on related subjects.

What tone and themes should readers expect from his writing?

Expect an opinionated, humorous, tongue-in-cheek voice with a focus on cars and motoring, plus frequent asides into history, engineering and popular culture.