Carbolics cover art

Carbolics

A Personal Motoring Disinfectant

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Carbolics

By: James May
Narrated by: James May
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About this listen

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
Engineering Motor Sports Transportation Comedy

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What listeners say about Carbolics

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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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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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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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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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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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James May, national treasure.

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

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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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A lively little read

Mr May always on form, delivers a truly funny and fact laden monologue. Short and to the point which is no point whatsoever yet entertaining

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Entertaining

I like James may audio books, he’s funny and informative. I even bought “the reassembler”.

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Excellent

Great gear head yarn’s and off piste observations from a James May point of view a very listenable and entertaining

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