Nigel: my family and other dogs

by Monty Don

NIGEL - One of Britain's favourite dogs! When Monty Don's golden retriever Nigel became the surprise star of BBC Gardeners' World inspiring huge interest, fan mail and his own social media accounts, Monty Don wanted to explore what makes us connect with animals quite so deeply. In many respects Nigel is a very ordinary dog; charming, handsome and obedient, as so many are. He is also a much loved family pet. He is also a star. By telling Nigel's story, Monty relates his relationships with the other special dogs in his life in a memoir of his dogs past and very much present.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

Published March 9, 2017

About the author

Montagu Denis Wyatt Don OBE VMH (born George Montagu Don) has been gardening on TV for over 25 years for ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC, and since 2003 has been the lead presenter on BBC TV's Gardeners' World which from 2011 has been filmed in his own garden in Herefordshire - Longmeadow.
He is a longstanding organic gardener and was President of the Soil Association from 2008 to 2017.
A prolific journalist and author, he was gardening correspondent for the Observer from 1994 to 2006 and has written a weekly gardening column for the Daily Mail since 2004. He has published 18 books, including his recent Sunday Times bestseller, Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs.

Reviews

[Paul Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* because it’s Nigel!

[Ninaminacat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever loved a pet, be it a dog or any other creature, I cannot see how you could fail to be moved by Monty Don's account of his relationship with Nigel - and the various other dogs who have shared his life. Monty's delight in the uniqueness of each dog's character and the differing relationship each has had with him and his family shines through his eloquent writing, but Nigel clearly held a special place in his heart. I loved discovering what possible canine joys each part of the garden held for particular dogs. Overall the book is a delight - and a very moving one - filled with honesty and humour. For an additional treat, listen to the audiobook, read by the author himself.

[Dawn With-whippet · Rating 4 out of 5]

My antidote to the concentration needed to read Hillary Mantel's Wolf hall trilogy .
Lovely book .Monty is an excellent writer and brought me to tears 3 times ( but who wouldnt cry when he describes his heartbreak burying his beloved dogs in the orchard )
Poor Monty has not had an easy life despite appearing to have idyllic existence at longmeadow now .
Sent to boarding school at 7 years old .
Bankrupt with 2 young children , when his jewellery business failed , meaning he had to sell his home and most of his possessions to pay off debts
Periods of depression
But overall this is a book sharing his love of dogs and plants
A soothing read

[freyabaldwin_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monty Don writes of his love for dogs and the experience and love he shared with each and every companion he has had over his lifetime. Monty truly portrays the sentiment of a dog being a man’s best friend. He speaks of the dogs’ mannerisms and their personality in a way so similar to that of which you would speak about a friend of family member, you can tell he is truly attentive to his doggy companions.

He also explores his home and garden and the journey on which he has taken to change and improve it over time. Linking this back to the dogs and their favourite places to laze.

[Patricia Hutchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly lovely book about Monty’s life with dogs and Nigel, the Golden Retriever. It tells the life of Monty in his early years and how the family ended up at Longmeadow.

A must read for any dog lover and viewer of Gardeners World.

The short chapters and easy read is ideal for this returning to reading, new readers and those who read before sleep.

[Elizabeth Choi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favourite Monty Don book so far! I mean, I've only read two, but still! Genuinely almost had me crying at some points, but I guess when you've grown up around dogs there's a lot to relate to! A great bonus was some dog training tips too!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nigel always feels as much everyone’s dog as just Monty and Sarah’s dog. He’s wormed his way into our hearts. This is a beautiful narrative that anyone who loves Monty and Gardener’s world would love!

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book

[Toni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish, just couldn’t get into it.

[Stacey Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook, narrated by the author, Monty Don

A short book read by Monty, about his garden, dogs, and particularly Nigel, his golden retriever. What’s not to love?