Synopsis: In When I Was a Nipper Alan Titchmarsh goes on a personal and nostalgic journey through post-War Britain in search of treasured values and traditions that were once the soul of society. With characteristic wit, warmth and humour he draws on the experience of his own childhood, and also takes a broader perspective, creating a wonderfully detailed and evocative portrait of a way of life that is fast disappearing, and asks what can we learn from this era of austerity to make our lives better today?

Born in Yorkshire in 1949 and brought up in a Britain still recovering from the Second World War, Alan remembers a time of relative calm, when it was enough to return home at night knowing that the house would still be standing. We were known throughout the world for our patience, resourcefulness and resilience. ‘Mustn’t grumble’ was almost a national catchphrase, and queuing was second nature. Peppered with wonderful archive photographs and advertisements, When I Was a Nipper takes us back to those days, down high streets and through farmyards, on to trolley buses and into local pubs.

As we move towards a global economy, as communities fragment and customs are lost, When I Was a Nipper captures a world that is fast receding into history. It’s powerfully nostalgic for those who remember those days, but it’s also Alan’s timely call to all recession-hit Brits to heed the lessons of austerity Britain: ‘make do and mend’; ‘look on the bright side’ and ‘take the knocks on the chin’.

http://www.amazon.co.uk

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict

This is a very gentle and nostalgic book from Alan Titchmarsh, as well as his own personal memories it is full of evocative descriptions of the post-war era. Divided up into The Way We Were chapters….in the village, at the seaside, on the move, on the farm, at school, at work, on the high street, everyday life, at home, and as loyal subjects and with historical photographs this is an absolute delight. Interesting to all generations, it will have particular resonance to those born in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. It will also be a perfect gift for Father’s Day. Highly Recommended!