James May's Magnificent Machines: How Men in Sheds Have Changed Our Lives [Paperback]

James May (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0340950927 | ISBN-13: 978-0340950920 | Publication Date: November 1, 2008

The 20th century was a time of extraordinary change as new technologies and inventions emerged at a bewildering rate. From the amazingly complex to the brilliantly simple, this entertaining and insightful guide investigates mankind's greatest creations and successes, including space travel, television, mechanized war, medicine, video games, skyscrapers, electronic espionage, and much more. Along with the achievements, the hidden stories behind why some inventions—including the Zeppelin and the hovercraft—struggled to make their mark, and why others failed altogether, are also investigated. Packed with surprising statistics and intriguing facts, this is the ideal volume for anyone who wants to know the story behind history's greatest gadgets and ideas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'James May is the best thing ever to come out of Top Gear' -- Radio Times 'Smart, sharply written' -- Guardian 'The most loveable of the Top Gear presenting trio ... there's a sharp and interesting mind under the corduroy. Fascinating.' -- Nottingham Evening Post

About the Author

James May is a writer, broadcaster, and the cohost of Top Gear. His previous books include May on Motors, Notes from the Hard Shoulder, and Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340950927
• ISBN-13: 978-0340950920
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining technology overview, March 22, 2008

By 

Aaron Headly "middle-aged curmudgeon" (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: James May's 20th Century (Paperback)

Fans of James May's work on Top Gear will not be disappointed with this collection of essays on many of the major technological advances of the twentieth century.

There are some obscure (and entertaining) details within, but serious tech geeks won't encounter much they didn't already know. As a serious tech geek myself, that didn't keep me from enjoying it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable reading, May 2, 2008

By 

Philippa - See all my reviews

This review is from: James May's 20th Century (Paperback)

The 20th century summed up as a series of important inventions and developments. It's an interesting and entertaining read, and May writes with wit and charm (full disclosure, I have a bit of a crush going here, so I could be slightly biased! And who knows, maybe the coauthor wrote the best bits). It's not meant to be the definitive work on the century, I imagine, but it's a great look at where lots of our important things came from, and where they went. You'll come away knowing a little more about any number of things, from motorcycles to guitars (and the scourge of the ukelele). One or two of the chapters drag a bit with the recital of purely technical information, but overall, it's pretty engaging.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Men In Sheds Changed Our Lives, May 22, 2009

By 

K. Alphs (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: James May's Magnificent Machines: How Men in Sheds Have Changed Our Lives (Paperback)

"James May's Magnificent Machines: How Men In Sheds Changed Our Lives" is authored by the co-host of the popular BBC television show "Top Gear" and award winning British journalist, James May. May takes the reader on a journey through the 20th Century to explore how "men in sheds" came to pioneer technology in the fields of aviation, cars, television, computers, space travel, architechture, electricity, the horseless carriage, radio, music, motorbikes, fashion, tanks, espionage, and health care. The author also includes "a section for anoraks" and "further reading" which contain facts and further resources for exploring the technological wonders of the 20th Century.
May's book is a great introduction to the study of "men in sheds" and how their inventions definitely changed our lives and shaped the world in which we live.