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ineffablebooks's review against another edition
5.0
An inspiring and amazing read, Hammond's way of writing is unique and worthy of reading by more than just the Top Gear fans.
"On many occasions, I am told, I woke, but i cannot distinguish those times from the distant memories of dreams and fantasy. Two worlds become blurred; the world in your head and the world that recently hurt you so badly. And so it was not a long, uninterrupted sleep, but a long time spent living between two worlds."
Mindy's story was moving and relatable and I hope she one day publishes her novels because she's great!
I couldn't put this book down, and really leaves you truly appreciating the function your brain is capable of in every second of every day.
"On many occasions, I am told, I woke, but i cannot distinguish those times from the distant memories of dreams and fantasy. Two worlds become blurred; the world in your head and the world that recently hurt you so badly. And so it was not a long, uninterrupted sleep, but a long time spent living between two worlds."
Mindy's story was moving and relatable and I hope she one day publishes her novels because she's great!
I couldn't put this book down, and really leaves you truly appreciating the function your brain is capable of in every second of every day.
mahalar's review
4.0
Three years before my dad died, he suffered a major stroke. Although a stroke and a traumatic injury are different, it affected him in many of the same ways that Hammond describes his brain injury affected him. I'm familiar with the confusion, the intensified emotions, the dependency on some kind of familiar face, the panic when that face is gone, the child-like behavior, the repeated questions. Those were all a major part of my life as my dad walked the road to recovery. Unlike Hammond, though, he never recovered fully. In many ways, with that stroke, I lost the dad I known my whole life. But I loved the one I still had. I teared up several times reading this book and, halfway through, started wondering if I'd made a mistake to pick it up and read it. That maybe my dad's death only a few months ago was still too raw to be reading things that reminded me so much of him. But I finished, and I'm glad I did.
olapat's review
5.0
When I picked up this book I didnt know what to expect apart from some stuff about cars. However, what I didnt realise is that at parts it would be tear-jerking as it tells his wife Mindy's story of how she felt sitting by him in the hospital whilst he was comatose. The recounting of his accident and recovery after shows what affect it had on him and his emotions as well as the effect it had on his family. Even if you don't have an interest in Top Gear or The Grand Tour I would recommend reading.
malibu_alex's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
liedora's review
4.0
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 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-hammond/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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 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-hammond/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
rose508's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
action's review
4.0
An incredible story about such a serious accident and the hardships that followed. It was interesting to be able to follow two perspectives of such a devastating event and the effects it can have on a person's life. All the way through, it is an emotional book to read and it truly managed to affect me. In the end, I finished the book feeling beyond impressed with both Richard and Mindy Hammond.
mjdolce's review
5.0
What a beautiful, touching, and powerful story. I'm partial, because I am a fan of Top Gear. But I love what this book has to say about family, friends, and overcoming a terrible accident.