Trowel and Error

Trowel and Error is described as a "touch of the memoirs" by the author. Alan Titchmarsh is now a national institution; with his characteristic good humour and charm, he is unquestionably the country's number-one television gardener and presenter with even an unlikely reputation as a sex symbol (a reputation that started as a joke). Apart from his considerable gardening acumen, of course, he has also proved to be a novelist of genuine ability, with such books as Mr MacGregor and Animal Instincts.

Communication is, needles to say, his special skill, and it was to be expected that Trowel and Error (the groan-inducing pun is all part of the Titchmarsh armoury), would be revealing and evocative. Titchmarsh announced to school friends of the age of 10 that he would be the next Percy Thrower, although those ambitions were, he tells us, fudged in some uncomfortable encounters with the opposite sex (Titchmarsh always picked girls who were taller than him, and the relationships didn't last). In fact his Yorkshire childhood in the 1950s is one of the most purely enjoyable parts of the book, with his stamping ground of Ilkley Moor the seat of his passionate love for nature. His first experiences as a gardener at the Royal Botanical Garden at Kew are full of the kind of quirky incident that makes his writing appealing. As his fame grew, Titchmarsh began rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nelson Mandela Julia Roberts and the Queen, and such encounters are highly diverting.

Many a book conceals a rampant ego behind an "aw, shucks" manner, but Titchmarsh comes across as a genuinely nice guy--one who is self-deprecating. This is a truly engaging (and often very funny) autobiography. --Barry Forshaw

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This book is disappointing - Rated
I have enjoyed Titchmarsh's books...fluff, mind you, but charming fluff, but he really should stick to fiction or gardening. The unending listing of people he has known, as well as their names (!) is just plain boring. I love to see him on TV, he is great fun, and invokes a dear friend from Batley, but writing anything autobiographical is dangerous. One can so easily sound pompous or self-absorbed. I don't think Titchmarsh is either, but he wavers on the edge.
I could not finish this book, I found it so lacking in charm and movement.

Trowel but little Error - Rated
I could not put the book down. Coming from the West Riding myself - just up the road at Silsden - I found it especially entertaining and very nostalgic. I know the pubs in Addingham - my Dad used to live there too. I could relate to so much in this book and I felt as if I had a kindred spirit in Alan. As a Yorkshire woman who has lived in various parts of the country - now settled in Suffolk - I knew exactly where he was coming from in so many ways. It was a real pleasure to lose myself in the pages - I can't wait to go on to his novels as soon as possible.
Alan Titchmarsh and Geoffrey Smith - my favourite men!

Never a Trial and certainly not any errors! - Rated
I am not really interested in gardening programmes but do love Ground Force. I vaguely remember Percy Thrower, but Alan Titchmarsh will always be the TV gardener in my lifetime! From the very beginning the book kept enthralled, enchanted and entertained. The funny little anecdotes, are good as he takes you from the very beginning up until present day. All the characters he has met in his life have made an impact on him, and he has learnt so much! So did I. Especially on how long he had been in TV and the work, on books and magazines! He even mentions all of his fans, that follow him, have all his books and even stitch them for him! It was nice to have read these in separate articles and then see some references to them in the book. I wish he could have added a few more little anecdotes to the section about Ground Force, I bet there are some tales to tell there! Nevertheless the book has everything, the main ingredient being warm Yorkshire humour!!!

Reader from Solihull, West Midlands - Rated
I found this autobiography an excellent read with wonderful photos including some of his family which he likes to keep away from the media. The book starting with his childhood in Yorkshire and his progression into a career in gardening and finally TV where he also took part in programmes such as Songs of Praise proves to be very interesting. The whole of it including the headings to the chapters brings out a sensitive side to his nature. Added to this is the usual wit which if you watch his gardening programmes is part of him. A worthwhile buy and it kept me occupied in hospital.

Excellent Reading - Rated
Enjoyable,easy reading, informative, humourous and interesting, I am now looking to purchase some more of Mr Titchmarshs books.