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Preview
  • Carbolics

  • A Personal Motoring Disinfectant
  • By: James May
  • Narrated by: James May
  • Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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Carbolics

By: James May
Narrated by: James May
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Summary

Top Gear and Grand Tour legend James May's quirky, entertaining take on cars, trucks and even the bicycle.

Why does a man with a Ferrari and a Porsche drive a Fiat Panda? Is going fast really necessary? Is it your fault if you get run over? Why will electric cars really save the planet (possibly)?

In Carbolics the UK's favourite petrol head (after Clarkson and Hammond) James May answers these questions and more.

Across 80 essays, James gives his quirky, entertaining take on cars, motorbikes, trucks—and explains why the bicycle might just be the best invention of all.

Written with James's characteristic wit and humour, Carbolics is perfect for petrolheads.

©2022 James May (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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What listeners say about Carbolics

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

interesting listen from James May

This is quite a good book for traveling to work, not outstandingly Thrilling but a good listen either way.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Very funny and well thought out

A very funny and well thought out book. I love the personal anecdotes and use of hyperbole. It’s a very classic James May solo piece, a bit bonkers, unique, weird in a good way, dry wit, and just darn right fun. Well worth a read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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It’s good!

A really good book and read by Janes May, he’s actually pretty funny too. He had also written a very throughout book too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

surprisingly good!

took a punt on this and found it surprisingly engaging. a passing interest in cars is probably beneficial, but his writing and reading style is the rather enjoyable .... and surprisingly thought provoking.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen.

This was great just like clarksons farm. But I had to skip the car clichés part you know…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

James May, national treasure.

I've enjoyed all of James' offerings, always well written and well delivered, keep them coming!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Switch your head off and listen…..

Wasn’t sure what to expect but I had a few projects to work on and this book provided the perfect backdrop - frighteningly, I agree with just about everything James says, it was a bit of fresh air about carbolics and most importantly, made me smile. Well read too, he has a great narrating voice. Highly recommended if you fancy a bit of nonsense.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

It’s what you would expect, scrupulous, witty and whimsical. Crisp and cleanly produced and I found it well paced. A thoroughly enjoyable listen, short chapters that keep you interested. A must for fans of Top Gear and The Grand Tour.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love James May

He is a great Author who makes me laugh loads! He is so funny! Good book by the way!

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Quick fire quick witted

Superb presentation and content Thouroughly funny blahvblah blah blah blah blah blah why fifteen words bollox blah blah

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