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The Man in the White Suit
- The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane and Me
- Narrated by: Ben Collins
- Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Entertainment & Performing Arts
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Summary
The Stig gets his kit off and reveals how he came to be Top Gear's iconic racing driver and so much more - including what it's like to thrash an Aston Martin DBS, train for the Army and face the terror of Jeremy Clarkson's underwear…When the Black Stig disappeared off the end of an aircraft carrier in 2003, we were introduced to The White Stig. Faster. Stranger. Harder to keep clean. And ever since, millions have wondered – who is The Man in the White Suit? They're about to find out.
Ben Collins caught the car the bug young, kicking his dad's boss in the balls for not giving him a company Jag. This was the attitude that eventually led him to spend seven years sharing a cabin with Jeremy Clarkson's underwear, James May's PhD thesis and Richard Hammond's hairspray. Because he is The Stig.
Now he tells all about life inside the iconic white helmet. What it's like to guide a blind ex-RAF officer around the Top Gear track; pit a drug dealer's Mitsubishi Evo against a Trojan tank; set a Vauxhall Monara against Chloe the dancing Ninja; and race double-decker Route masters against bendy buses. Not to mention all the inside stuff on how the show's amazing driving sequences are made.
He also reveals how he got to be there – setting a Dunsfold lap time faster than Michael Schumacher's. Breaking records with the best of the best at Daytona and Le Mans.
It's an awesome story, told by an amazing man.
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What listeners say about The Man in the White Suit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Paul layden
- 13-09-16
6/10
Obviously Ben Collins is now well known but I was expecting more . The book starts off a slow burner with tales of Racing as a child and outlining his families role in his life then his army involvement ( wasn't expecting that ) but I sort of enjoyed the army stories more than the racing stories, the narration is not so great either but 2/3rds of the way through Ben's narration picks up,but still goes a long way short of enjoyable for me, and the anecdotes are a bit jolly japes calling Hammond " Hamo" bugged the hell out of me,but for the slightly younger Top Gear fan,this could be an eye opener and worth a listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- Steven
- 27-05-13
A good listen
I fair enjoyed this audiobook , the bit about his army training was very good , tells how ,why and what he did in the racing world , and how top gear came about , well worth your time
1 person found this helpful
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- Frieda
- 08-06-22
Entertaining.
I was entertained by Collins' autobiography. Not so much the army stuff which really convinced me it would be terrible for me. I enjoyed his racing stories, but adored his Top Gear stuff which I remembered as he was talking. Although I didn't realise how long those clips actually took.
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- Grenglish
- 23-02-22
Great
Great read and great insights into TG. comes highly recommended especially if you like cars and motor racing
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- Fin
- 30-09-21
Bit dull and lumbering
not very well narrated, but in bits it was interesting, just I felt it sometimes just needed a wee bit more insights into TG after all is that not what we know him from
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- Ryan Kirby
- 08-06-21
very interesting
great to hear what happens behind the scenes, and read well by Ben, what a fantastic life
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- Daniel Hall
- 15-02-21
Some say...this book was great but...
I found some of this book very hard going. I drifted in and out of listening at times as Ben's delivery/storytelling is not the best.
There are genuinely good parts to the book though and although it lacks polish I would still recommend it to anyone interested in the backstop of the Stig/Top Gear. 3/5 is probably fair.
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- Setright
- 25-10-20
Addictive
Ben Collins, no doubt the best Stig.
It's clear that his ideal mix of enthusiasm, professionalism and talent is what made the Stig character so great.
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- Belal
- 20-09-20
Informative and entertaining
Very fun and accessible way to learn about performance driving and the reality behind Top Gear
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- GT4Thug
- 19-03-20
didn't know what to expect
Thought this was an error purchase as Bens First contact as he read came across a bit meh! but I was wrong, and then it just got better and better and better the stig the cars the background and events for TG and specials comments. The crash and loss of his dad and the texts as we do and admission of loss.. The balls out and keeping his identity with held and keeping a family whilst making ends meet Narrated well by Ben the orange stretcher moment was described as well as the Ferrari and the blind driver as well as the descriptions of the TG team and that rocket car crash of Hammond Well worth the listen Thanks Think you need another.....
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- vincent
- 26-05-11
Exit Stig Left...
This story is a real buzz. From his early obsession with aircraft, transforming into a junior cart racing and a meteoric rise to Le Mans and beyond Ben Collins tells a great story of overcoming incredible tests of charachter and endurance from special forces training to starring as the clandestine cult icon "The Stig" Lots of laughs, celebrity gossip, unlikely yet verifiably true situations with a touch of humble humanity,True grit and a fair sprinkle of colourful language. No flat spots in this tale, a high octane joyride with chequered flag. All you would expect and more 5 stars Ben
2 people found this helpful
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- Mustapha ALI OUSALAH
- 13-07-21
Boring
Ben went on talking about matters unworthy of making it into a book, chapters 33 to 36 were ok though
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- Glenn
- 11-08-13
The Stig rules!!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
yes!!The untold story of a man of mystery!!
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Man in the White Suit?
The indepth Army training was an revelation!!
What about Ben Collins’s performance did you like?
Read with conviction and humility.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Would The Real Stig Please Stand Up!!
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- Carl
- 09-05-13
BRILLIANT! Captivating from beginning to end.
Where does The Man in the White Suit rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the best books Ive ever read. Only my favourite book ever ranks above this one. Its so good I almost could listen again straight away.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Man in the White Suit?
The 2nd half of the book where you get a deep insight into the mind of The Stig and how production of the show Top Gear is done.
Have you listened to any of Ben Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
First Ben Collins book and obviously his best.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Stig-a-riffic!
Any additional comments?
A must read for any Tog Gear fan. Even if your not, it may yet convert you.