Richard Porter Books

"For 13 years, 22 series and 175 shows, Richard Porter was script editor of Top Gear, from the first faltering pilot episode in 2022 until the very last show presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May in 2015. This book tells stories from behind the scenes of one of the world's most successful television programmes, taking in driving monkeys, broken bones, flying cars, angry rednecks and Jeremy Clarkson's secret nickname. Along the way they destroyed cars, sparked diplomatic incidents, set fire to caravans, almost killed one of the presenters, and somehow transformed Top Gear from a shabby BBC Two motoring show into an Emmy-winning, record-breaking, planet-straddling behemoth."-- Page [4] of cover

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.

The definitive guide to the birds of Cyprus. Cyprus is a great place for birding, and one of the most popular places for birders to visit in Europe. It holds populations of a number of regional scarcities that are very hard to see elsewhere, plus a number of endemic subspecies, and the two jewels in the crown--two full endemics, Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler, the latter of which graces the jacket of this new Helm field guide to the island. Detailed plates are allied to concise identification text, with accurate maps stemming from Colin Richardson's decades-long programme of population-mapping on the island. Together, these elements make this the definitive guide to Cyprus's birds, one that no visitor to this beautiful island can be without.

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.'

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

The definitive photographic guide to the amazing avifauna of the Middle East.

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.

"Surviving the Shadows" is a gripping zombie novel set in the midst of an apocalyptic outbreak. As a mysterious virus turns the residents of Eastwood Falls into ravenous zombies, a resilient young woman named Sarah Thompson emerges as a beacon of hope. Leading a diverse group of survivors, Sarah must navigate the treacherous streets, confront their own demons, and unravel the secrets behind the devastating infection. Faced with constant danger, heartbreaking losses, and the threat of betrayal, the survivors fight not only for their own survival but also for the future of humanity. With themes of resilience, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of humanity, this thrilling tale takes readers on an emotional journey through a world plagued by darkness, where hope remains the ultimate weapon against the encroaching shadows.

In a world riddled with deception and intrigue, "Tangled Betrayal: Unveiling Secrets" takes readers on a thrilling journey through a web of hidden truths. Set in a sprawling metropolis, the story revolves around a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds, all linked by their tangled pasts and shared secrets. As the plot unfolds, the characters find themselves entangled in a high-stakes game of manipulation, where alliances shift and loyalties are tested. Each person harbors their own deep-seated secrets, desperate to protect their hidden agendas while uncovering the truths that threaten to shatter their carefully constructed facades. Amidst the tangled web of deceit, the protagonists navigate through unexpected twists and turns, unearthing long-buried scandals, and unmasking the culprits behind their tangled lives. Dark pasts, forbidden love affairs, and covert operations intertwine, revealing shocking connections that ripple through their interconnected worlds. Driven by their insatiable curiosity and desire for justice, the characters embark on a dangerous quest to unravel the truth, risking everything they hold dear in the process. With each revelation, the stakes escalate, leading to a climactic showdown where the fates of the characters hang in the balance.

Exploring the concept of the kingdom of God, this book delves into the significance of Jesus' teachings on prayer and the nature of God's reign. It challenges readers to deepen their understanding of what they are truly asking for when they pray, offering insights into the transformative vision of the kingdom and its implications for everyday life. Through thoughtful reflection, it invites a re-examination of faith and the active role individuals can play in manifesting God's kingdom on Earth.

As the first dedicated field guide for the United Arab Emirates, this book offers an in-depth exploration of the region's diverse flora and fauna. It provides detailed descriptions, identification tips, and habitat information for various species, making it an essential resource for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike. The guide emphasizes the unique ecological features of the UAE, promoting awareness and appreciation of its natural heritage.

Set against a haunting winter backdrop, the story unfolds as a series of mysterious events grip a small town. As secrets surface and tensions rise, the protagonist must navigate a web of deception and danger. With unexpected twists and a chilling atmosphere, the narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the haunting power of the past. Readers will be captivated by the intricate plot and the depth of the characters as they race to uncover the truth before it's too late.

The ultimate field guide to the birds of the Middle East, an indispensable companion for any traveller to the region The Middle East – the region stretching from Cyprus and the Levant to Iran, including Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula, plus Socotra – has a wonderfully broad and diverse avifauna, featuring a host of wintering and passage migrants, enigmatic breeders, and even a few endemics that occur nowhere else. This authoritative book covers more than 895 species recorded in the Middle East, including details of all regular visitors and breeding species, from the Purple Sunbird to the Northern Bald Ibis. Featuring 180 stunning colour plates by three of the world's leading bird illustrators, this practical guide also includes concise species accounts describing key identification features, status, range, habitat and voice with fully updated distribution maps for each species. Written by three of the leading lights in regional ornithology and conservation, this fully revised and expanded guide is an essential reference for any birder living in or visiting the Middle East.

Een onthullende blik achter de schermen van Top Gear, het succesvolle autoprogramma dat na een veelbewogen geschiedenis bij de BBC binnenkort in een nieuwe vorm verdergaat bij Amazon Prime. Richard Porter was dertien jaar lang scenarioschrijver voor Top Gear, van de eerste haperende pilot in 2002 tot de laatste aflevering met Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond en James May in 2015. In die tijd vormden ze Top Gear om van een simpel BBC-autoprogramma tot een Emmy Award-winnend, recordbrekend, internationaal fenomeen. Richard Porter geeft een uniek inzicht in hoe Top Gear werd gemaakt, en legt op humoristische wijze uit hoe het was om te werken voor een tv-programma dat per ongeluk een wereldwijd succes werd.

Richard Porter byl po 13 let a 22 sezón dramaturgem nejsledovanější automobilovou televizní show na světě. Od katastrofálního pilotního dílu v roce 2002 až do nečekaného utnutí v roce 2015 se podílel na scénáři, opravoval v něm gramatické chyby, vymýšlel urážky pro Stiga, dumal, jak sérii udělat ještě vtipnější, a propil hektolitry různých nápojů ve společnosti tří chlápků, z nichž se během těch let staly superhvězdy – byli to Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond a James May. O tom, jaké to přímo uvnitř Top Gear bylo, napsal Richard Porter tuto knihu (název Top Gear nesmí z licenčních důvodů být na obálce) a přidal pár povedených historek z natáčení. "Lepšího kronikáře třinácti triumfálních let pořadu Top Gear si lze stěží představit."