Customer Reviews
A great read - James May at his best - By: -J-D-, 16 Sep 2008 
James May's 20th Century really is a fantastic book, & I couldn't think of a better book to read.
It's simply staggering for anyone who likes awe-inspiring machines, like the Saturn V rocket, the Spitfire, or even Concorde.
James May, with his usual wit, digs deep into the 20th century, & covers what was so good about Saturn V, why the Lunar Rover was such a rip off, & why no-one ever said "there goes a Concorde", & how the world was severely shrunkin such a short period of time. He explains why the Reginald Mitchell's Supermarine Spitfire was such an amazing invention, & tells us, with great style & humour, why some stuff just didn't make it.
Allin all, then, James May's 20th Century is a fantastic book, & makes great reading material.
A fabulous read for anyone who likes James May, likes awesome machines, & wants to dig deeper into the Five W's: who, what, where, why & when.
Strongly recommended.
One of the best books Ive read - By: Ms. Joanna Barker, 26 Jan 2008 James May - is a excellent man , his work inspired my work , because he is him self & write carefree almost Diary like.
James is exstreamly Intellegent , eccentric & British his work is 5 star .
Fascinating and Fun - By: Lymaze, 04 Oct 2007 What a wonderful book. Full of interesting facts & glorious photographs. Anyone who watched the programmes will be surprised to learn the book is even better, for it is morein depth & covers subjects which weren't really touched uponin the programme. James May has a beautiful way with words & makes the science & invention of the 20th Century both exciting & fascinating.
A great Christmas book - put it on your lists now.
A fascinating read - By: Josh, 16 Sep 2007 James May's 20th Century, publishedin hardback on the 6th September 2007, accompanies the fabulous TV series broadcasted on Channel 2.
The book of the TV series is ever more fascinating than the TV series itself, mainly because there's more 'pukka-arity' to it - simply meaning there's more information, & wacky facts about the 20th century.
And being James May, he doesn't describe itin any way humble, or without great lumps of humour stirred into the mixture of interest, funniness, & even some facts that you don't need, or want, to know (!)
So,in conclusion of my review for this fantastic novel (and novelist), this book is one that you can't really put down if you can help it. It comprises qualities, & quantities, which other books don't have -
More than deserves 5 Star +
