Got Soul?

I Know You Got Soul - Jeremy Clarkson

Recommended by my Cash Source, this is the first non-fiction book I've read in some time. Standing ninth of eleven books written by Jeremy Clarkson, it proved to be something a bit different to the style that I normally read; but putting a bit of extra knowledge in the ol' noggin never hurt anyone. As a history student, I was particularly drawn to looking at the development of machines through the ages, which is only a little of what this book does.

Naturally, it's Clarkson and his beloved machines. However, this time, instead of the general gobbledy gook, horse power, mumbo jumbo car piffle, he focuses on a few of the 'greatest' machines made by man. As the title suggests, he then gives us a report that ultimately tells us why they "got soul". Each chapter is dedicated to a different machine, from the AK-47 to the Hoover Dam and it is a very interesting read; you get the typical random 'little boy' facts that Jeremy Clarkson so famously loves alongside the unique history of each machine's life.

Although, cleverly written with wit and humour, it is a book of opinion and not just fact. Even if a certain machine has got soul, Clarkson doesn't hesitate to tell us how crap it might have been from time to time - like the futility of the zeppelin. I had already thought that the zeppelin was a slightly stupid idea - having done history, I know it did pretty poorly in the First World War - but I didn't know it was quite such a chore to make it. In fact, Clarkson makes the 17 or so attempts to fly the thing a very amusing read; over several pages he reviews the effort and the stupidity involved and the sheer length of his writing gives you a sense of the length of time and the frustration it took to create. And yet, the German taxpayers kept forking out their money for some dipstick to keep it going.

Clarkson is notorious for his opinions, and doesn't hold back in this book either but I wouldn't say it makes an uninteresting or annoying read. It can be very funny if you can relate to what he says, but if you don't agree that all teenagers are spotty and slow amongst other things, you might not have much time for him. However, I agreed to sit down with this book knowing that the man evokes a little giggle in me from time to time on his hit show Top Gear. I was not disappointed in that this book made me giggle too; his writing style is clearly very similar to his style of speech. So if you find his voice annoying, you won't enjoy his books.

However, I did enjoy this book, but when I did a bit of research on it I saw one man described each chapter as an "essay" and I realised he was right. Further reading showed that many people felt that his style became quite repetitive and I realised both these opinions go hand in hand. I read the book very quickly, in about two days, and in reading chapter after chapter after chapter, you start to feel that his style is very samey and the title he had in mind for each chapter is obviously: "In what ways is the [name of amazing machine] full of soul and what reasons can you give for this?" Nevertheless, he gives very valid reasons for why each machine has soul, except for perhaps the aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which he just seems to find noisy and big. As well as this, he does present his argument with humour and even with a little imagination - there's even a scene involving Nicole Kidman and some serious muscular strength.

So, to conclude, is I Know You Got Soul worth the attention of your own soul? I'd say yes. It's not a challenging read and you can bump up your IQ whilst still having a little giggle. Stay away if you groan and grunt when you see him on the telly and know him as "that tall bloke who won't shut up about his hot wheels." If you like the classic machines and bit of their valuable history, it's a good informative and interesting read. If you like Clarkson, you'll love that his unique style continues to shine through. However, of all the books I've read, I don't think I'd say that this has quite "got soul", a bit of brains, a bit of wit, but no non-fiction for me can really have a heart.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "I Know You Got Soul".