Richard Porter Knihy

For 13 years, I served as the script editor for Top Gear, overseeing all 22 series. My role involved checking spelling and crafting silly gags about The Stig, while enjoying the company of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. It was a surreal experience that felt more like fun than work. From the chaotic pilot in 2002 to the show's abrupt conclusion in 2015, my time on Top Gear was a wild journey. We traveled the globe, built space ships, and traversed busy shipping lanes in a pick-up truck. Along the way, we faced an angry mob, stirred controversy in the press, and even had a close call with one of our presenters' safety. I realized I had numerous behind-the-scenes stories to share, recalling the absurd decision to adopt a dog and the ridiculous decoration of our dismal office. I vividly remembered a threatening encounter with a Bolivian drug lord. Inspired, I decided to document these tales. I hope you enjoy them. To quote James May: 'Richard Porter has asked me to "write a quote" for his new book about the ancient history of Top Gear. But this is a ridiculous request... Porter, like Athens, has lost his marbles.'

The brand spanking new edition of the nation's favourite annual for grown up kids -- The Big Book of Top Gear is back! There'll be something to satisfy every Top Gear fan in The Big Book of Top Gear 2012. It's overflowing with Top Gear genius, geeky automotive facts, photographs of the slickest, fastest cars on the planet (and a few old bangers). With all this, and much, much more, it's literally the loudest, most ambitious, most powerful and explosive book in the world.

Featuring all the best bits from the 2009 annual plus tonnes of new features, this one will be a powerful force to match that of the TV show.

When you were a kid your Dad might have seemed like a man of simple pleasures. But like the rest of us, your Dad had dreams. Yes, he loved your Mum, but if Diana Dors came knocking with a trampoline and two drums of baby oil he'd have been out of his armchair in a flash. And don't think he was content with that Cortina or Cavalier either, because Dad was quietly dreaming of Ferraris, Astons and other shiny wedges that in truth he could never afford. This book celebrates those exotic fantasies that gave your Dad a faraway look in his eyes. If you're looking for more details on the Diana Dors thing you might have to find a more specialist publication. THIS IS JUST ABOUT CARS

Happily, this handy book will solve all of these problems by applying the unique brand of Top Gear logic to a range of everyday situatons, such as making a ham sandwich, designing a supercar, receiving directions and, of course, how to parachute into a moving car.

Designing and making cars is an expensive thing to do. So is racing them. All told, the car business spends billions every year and with such vast sums at stake you'd think the people involved wouldn't give desk space to Captain Cockup. Sadly, you would be wrong.

Over 250 species are included in this compact and easy-to-use guide to the birds of Egypt and the Middle East, with clear colour photographs, a regional distribution map, and thumbnail silhouettes to help readers identify each species.