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Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything
'During downtime on the pottery throwdown Keith made my hair curl with some of his tales - he's a great raconteur and recounts his story in this book as he does in real life - with joy, charm & mischief.' - Sara Cox
Ballet dancer. Front man in an almost famous band. Judge on The Great Pottery Throwdown . How did all that happen?
By accident mostly. But I always say we make our own luck. What if an art teacher hadn't given me a lump of clay? What if the band had been really successful? What if I hadn't taken a photograph of a bowl to the buyer at Heals in London? What if she'd hated it? Or hadn't seen it... What if I hadn't agreed to dress up as Adele to make a crazy YouTube video?
Every chapter of my book is based around an object (usually a pot) that's been significant in my life. It's just at trigger to let me go off in a lot of different directions and tell a few stories. A lot of stories. Dyslexia. The art teacher who changed my life. My Mother. My Father. A life-changing job interview with a man who lay under his car throughout. That video.
Sifting through half-forgotten memories, trying to pick out the golden nuggets from the stuff that is definitely dross has been a curious, and at times hilarious, sometimes sad, but definitely enlightening process. So here it is - my pottery life with some very loud music and some pretty good dancing. And a lot of throwing, fettling and firing.
Oh ...and a good dose of anxiety.
Ballet dancer. Front man in an almost famous band. Judge on The Great Pottery Throwdown . How did all that happen?
By accident mostly. But I always say we make our own luck. What if an art teacher hadn't given me a lump of clay? What if the band had been really successful? What if I hadn't taken a photograph of a bowl to the buyer at Heals in London? What if she'd hated it? Or hadn't seen it... What if I hadn't agreed to dress up as Adele to make a crazy YouTube video?
Every chapter of my book is based around an object (usually a pot) that's been significant in my life. It's just at trigger to let me go off in a lot of different directions and tell a few stories. A lot of stories. Dyslexia. The art teacher who changed my life. My Mother. My Father. A life-changing job interview with a man who lay under his car throughout. That video.
Sifting through half-forgotten memories, trying to pick out the golden nuggets from the stuff that is definitely dross has been a curious, and at times hilarious, sometimes sad, but definitely enlightening process. So here it is - my pottery life with some very loud music and some pretty good dancing. And a lot of throwing, fettling and firing.
Oh ...and a good dose of anxiety.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2022
81 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 26, 2022
I have never thrown anything. Yet, I love art of pottery and its tactile and emotional powers. There's something deeply fascinating in watching a piece of inanimate clay be turned into something that can be an exquisite and beautiful piece of art.
I love watching The Great Pottery Throw Down. It might be a competition but it's so much more than that. It's about a group of like-minded people who like creating and are just enjoying being in the pottery and turning a lump of clay into something beautiful.
Keith Brymer Jones is one of the judges on that show. He is himself a world- renowned potter and ceramic designer. His warmth, wit and emotional responses to contestants' efforts really make the Throw Down the great show it is.
I was really excited to see that Brymer Jones wrote a memoir and I was not disappointed. His charm and self deprecating humour really shine through. The passion and knowledge he possesses of the art of pottery, the love of music, the work ethic, the little nuggets of his live, unexpected meetings with people who made great impact on his life, it's all told in a joyful and endearing way.
Beautiful, insightful, engaging, joyful, what a beauty of a book.
I love watching The Great Pottery Throw Down. It might be a competition but it's so much more than that. It's about a group of like-minded people who like creating and are just enjoying being in the pottery and turning a lump of clay into something beautiful.
Keith Brymer Jones is one of the judges on that show. He is himself a world- renowned potter and ceramic designer. His warmth, wit and emotional responses to contestants' efforts really make the Throw Down the great show it is.
I was really excited to see that Brymer Jones wrote a memoir and I was not disappointed. His charm and self deprecating humour really shine through. The passion and knowledge he possesses of the art of pottery, the love of music, the work ethic, the little nuggets of his live, unexpected meetings with people who made great impact on his life, it's all told in a joyful and endearing way.
Beautiful, insightful, engaging, joyful, what a beauty of a book.
May 25, 2022
Highlights: Keith's lifelong connection with clay, the realities of life as a full time potter, the woven-in sections on ceramics history.
Lowlight: the focus on the outsourcing and mass production that made Keith his name and money, which stands really awkwardly against his sadness in the penultimate chapter that jobs and craft are being lost to........outsourcing and cheaper mass production methods. Bit weird.
Lowlight: the focus on the outsourcing and mass production that made Keith his name and money, which stands really awkwardly against his sadness in the penultimate chapter that jobs and craft are being lost to........outsourcing and cheaper mass production methods. Bit weird.
April 17, 2022
I love the wholesome, joyful nature of the Great Pottery Throwdown. It's a reality TV competition that celebrates a love of creativity over an desire to win and every episode feels like a warm hug. This autobiography from master potter and main judge Keith Brymer Jones is a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating read, he has had a plethora of unexpected, often odd, experiences in his life and he shares both personal stories and interesting historical details about pottery with gratitude, reverence and a fabulous sense of humour in this book. A definite 'must read' for fans of the show!
July 29, 2023
A really enjoyable, light read. I found myself oddly teary towards the end, though that feels only appropriate considering Keith is proud to be a "man who cries" on national telly. As someone starting out in a freelance, creative career, I find the description of his early years as a self-employed potter the most enjoyable - and inspirational. Funnily enough though, it's a quote from his father that has stuck with me the most: "Whatever you decide to do with your life, don't do what I've done and do it just for the money. Make sure you do something you enjoy. Or your life will be miserable."
They're words to live by, and I fully intend to.
They're words to live by, and I fully intend to.
March 3, 2022
Informative, historical, touching and hysterical.
I haven’t read an autobiography before and I’m so glad Keith was my first.
A lesson that hard work pays and life is to be cherished.
My lifelong love for everything ceramic has blossomed whilst reading this book and I (at the tender age of 52) am going to take my first tentative, long awaited step on to a wheel.
I haven’t read an autobiography before and I’m so glad Keith was my first.
A lesson that hard work pays and life is to be cherished.
My lifelong love for everything ceramic has blossomed whilst reading this book and I (at the tender age of 52) am going to take my first tentative, long awaited step on to a wheel.
July 5, 2022
I discovered The Great Pottery Throwdown on HBO here in the US in January 2022 and binge-watched all five seasons in nothing flat. TGPT was a welcome respite from the seemingly endless procession of depressing news – inflation, Ukraine, mass shootings, Covid, climate change... TGPT was the antidote I needed – a gentle show with gentle people and low stakes (no million-dollar prizes or scheming contestants here). At the helm, some wonderful hosts and judges who encouraged and supported the non-combatants with sensitivity and good humor, and sometimes even tears. That is, judge and master potter Keith Brymer Jones' tears.
When I completed the final Season 5 I felt a void. I raced to my smartphone and searched for Season 6, and indeed another season seems to be in the works. I also discovered that Keith wrote his autobiography. I just finished the Kindle version and it more than filled my post-TGPT void.
Keith is as authentic on the printed page as he is on TGPT. His life and career have been a journey, and he lays it all out in vivid detail. We learn that Keith was a sensitive, gangling kid who loved to dance. He literally outgrew any future he may have had as a dancer and a teacher’s encouragement set him on a course to become a potter. Not one to sit and wait for things to happen, Keith found an apprenticeship and eventual employment in a pottery under the coarse tutelage of a couple journeymen potters who taught him the nuts and bolts of high-production pottery, and discipline he’d need to make a go of it. Outside of his demanding work at the pottery, he discovered another creative calling, forming a punk band called The Wigs. As lead singer, he made up for his lack vocal talent with NSFW performance antics that created a sensation and built loyal following. If only for a break or two, The Wigs might have been the next Sex Pistols.
Meanwhile, back at the pottery, his employers decided to pick up stakes and move north to less expensive climes and Keith decided to set out on his own, opening a small studio in London. His was a hand-to-mouth existence, but he hung in for well over a decade, churning out truckloads of inexpensive tableware and handling all aspects of his business, from deliveries to accounting. Necessity being the mother of invention, Keith branched out into higher-end, stylish products that were soon sold in fashionable London boutiques.
Keith’s big break occurred at a trade show when an entrepreneur walked into his life and offered to go partners on a stylish tableware line Keith called his “Word range," for which he stamped simple, evocative words like “love,” “relax,” and “sexy” into white porcelain china. Keith “handled the pots” and his new business partner “handled the pennies,” and the Word range took off. The Word range is now mass-produced in China and India, a blunt counterpoint to the artistic aspirations of hand-thrown ceramics. Keith shares lots of interesting insights about the history of pottery in those countries, as well as the UK's rich pottery tradition. Between his in-demand products and TGPT notoriety, Keith is living the dream. He doesn’t go into much detail about his TGPT experience – no behind-the-scenes gossip or shocking revelations – and that’s fine. Boy in a China Shop is as soft and smooth as a well-crafted ceramic bowl, just like TGPT.
When I completed the final Season 5 I felt a void. I raced to my smartphone and searched for Season 6, and indeed another season seems to be in the works. I also discovered that Keith wrote his autobiography. I just finished the Kindle version and it more than filled my post-TGPT void.
Keith is as authentic on the printed page as he is on TGPT. His life and career have been a journey, and he lays it all out in vivid detail. We learn that Keith was a sensitive, gangling kid who loved to dance. He literally outgrew any future he may have had as a dancer and a teacher’s encouragement set him on a course to become a potter. Not one to sit and wait for things to happen, Keith found an apprenticeship and eventual employment in a pottery under the coarse tutelage of a couple journeymen potters who taught him the nuts and bolts of high-production pottery, and discipline he’d need to make a go of it. Outside of his demanding work at the pottery, he discovered another creative calling, forming a punk band called The Wigs. As lead singer, he made up for his lack vocal talent with NSFW performance antics that created a sensation and built loyal following. If only for a break or two, The Wigs might have been the next Sex Pistols.
Meanwhile, back at the pottery, his employers decided to pick up stakes and move north to less expensive climes and Keith decided to set out on his own, opening a small studio in London. His was a hand-to-mouth existence, but he hung in for well over a decade, churning out truckloads of inexpensive tableware and handling all aspects of his business, from deliveries to accounting. Necessity being the mother of invention, Keith branched out into higher-end, stylish products that were soon sold in fashionable London boutiques.
Keith’s big break occurred at a trade show when an entrepreneur walked into his life and offered to go partners on a stylish tableware line Keith called his “Word range," for which he stamped simple, evocative words like “love,” “relax,” and “sexy” into white porcelain china. Keith “handled the pots” and his new business partner “handled the pennies,” and the Word range took off. The Word range is now mass-produced in China and India, a blunt counterpoint to the artistic aspirations of hand-thrown ceramics. Keith shares lots of interesting insights about the history of pottery in those countries, as well as the UK's rich pottery tradition. Between his in-demand products and TGPT notoriety, Keith is living the dream. He doesn’t go into much detail about his TGPT experience – no behind-the-scenes gossip or shocking revelations – and that’s fine. Boy in a China Shop is as soft and smooth as a well-crafted ceramic bowl, just like TGPT.
August 28, 2022
A fascinating account of a life lived fully by the master of clay, Keith Brymer Jones.
It's a wonder to me that Brymer Jones ever sits down, except at the potter's wheel. He has lived in one lifetime, what most of us would be unable to achieve in several. A ferocious appetite for life and a driving work ethic have seen him go far and it couldn't happen to a nicer chap.
There is such a lot here, in what is a fairly short book in comparison to what has been crammed into it, there are times when you'd like to know more, but whoosh, and we're off on another tangent. Whether it's fronting a psychobilly punk band or throwing hundreds of pots a day, it's all done at a million miles an hour.
It's a wonder to me that Brymer Jones ever sits down, except at the potter's wheel. He has lived in one lifetime, what most of us would be unable to achieve in several. A ferocious appetite for life and a driving work ethic have seen him go far and it couldn't happen to a nicer chap.
There is such a lot here, in what is a fairly short book in comparison to what has been crammed into it, there are times when you'd like to know more, but whoosh, and we're off on another tangent. Whether it's fronting a psychobilly punk band or throwing hundreds of pots a day, it's all done at a million miles an hour.
April 10, 2024
This was a sweet, easy read. It was so special to get to know the life of this man who has inspired so many with his years of joy and pride in others! Definitely a quick read (I read it over a few plane rides). I empathize with some readers who didn’t like how much he talked about his work being mass-produced. Although I puckered at times, I appreciated his perspective and his willingness to explain the process of making a livelihood from his work prior to his fame. This sweet man had a history I didn’t expect (punk-rocker? Etc) and I’m grateful to know his story.
September 20, 2023
I was SO excited when I saw this at my local library! I love the great pottery throw down and Keith is such a lovely and passionate judge. I liked reading about his passion for music and pottery and thought it was cute!
January 2, 2023
What a life Keith has had and the adventures to get where he is. Really enjoyed this book.
May 15, 2024
A nice little audiobook that Pottery Throw Down fans will enjoy. I learned probably as much about pottery as I did about Keith.
September 14, 2022
I am a sucker for a memoir, finding out more about people's origins, influences and their lives. Always surprising - read with emotion (yes, he does cry!) and real gusto by the man himself.
April 25, 2024
FANTASTIC insert into his life…Beautiful soul! Very genuine guy with a passion
May 26, 2022
I loved this book. Keith comes across so likeable on the Great Pottery Throw Down and even more so after reading his book. He has a great writing style and has had such an interesting life.
December 2, 2023
I love The Great Pottery Throwdown and Keith is a big part of its charm.
March 21, 2022
A lovely engaging, easy read. Very interesting to read about Keith’s life and career, with some profound, funny, and informative parts that were all very interesting and made for a really nice book. I enjoyed the little bits of history of the ceramic industry sprinkled throughout, and it was interesting for me as a ceramics student who takes a fine art approach to the medium to get an idea of what life is like for a domestic ware Potter and learn how they work.
April 25, 2022
I love Keith, and this book makes me love him even more. He's had such an interesting life, and I made so many notes as I read this about museums to visit, music to play, potters to look up. The man is so diverse and interesting. His account of his mothers death made me weep, for him, for my own losses, it was just so touching. He's a legend, and so hardworking. An inspiration.
March 10, 2022
Keith’s generous love of the world and pottery makes this book a joy to read. It often feels like sitting around a campfire, listening to stories from a good friend.
April 6, 2022
A journey through Keith's life, the highs, lows, lucky breaks, heartbreak, hard work and amazing people who shaped his path. Told in his own hilarious way. A great and inspirational book.
March 27, 2023
I have always read non-fiction and fiction books, I love them equally and always will and yet I rarely write reviews for the first! So I wanted to remedy that and put pen to paper about some of the wonderful non-fiction books I read in 2023.
I have been in love with The Great Pottery Throw Down since I went looking for a feel-good programme during the Covid lockdowns. Here is a TV series celebrating the talents of potters across Britain and with a group of wonderful presenters such as Keith Brymer Jones. He comes across as passionate about his craft and that attracted me to the book he has written about his life so far in Boy In A China Shop. I’m glad to say that the book confirms my opinion of him as being sensitive, committed and all round lovely person.
The one thing many autobiographies for me don’t do is convey the personality of the person properly, becoming just a series of events relayed in print, thankfully that is not the case here. The Keith Brymer Jones who prone to crying, has a slightly mischievous sense of humour, speaks from the page and it is a delight to read. We learn about his initial hopes to become a dancer, of how he struggled in school due to his dyslexia and how his art teacher introduced him to the greatest passion of his life, pottery! In doing so he set him on the path to TV and the programme loved by so many, The Great Pottery Throwdown.
What I love about this book is his honesty! It has not all been a bed of roses, this one-time dancer, then front man in a rock band, has faced a life long battle with anxiety. He talks about this and the toll starting his own pottery business took on his life with a practical sense of realism. We all imagine I think, that TV presenters are individuals blessed with trouble free lives, but the persona they project on screen, is not always an accurate reflection of their life experiences or the journey they took before appearing on our TV screens. Boy In A China reflects the truth of his life and how the man beloved by so many arrived at a point in his life where he was invited to be a judge on a wonderful feelgood programme, beloved by so many.
It really is a book that reflects his journey and takes us behind the scenes of his life
I have been in love with The Great Pottery Throw Down since I went looking for a feel-good programme during the Covid lockdowns. Here is a TV series celebrating the talents of potters across Britain and with a group of wonderful presenters such as Keith Brymer Jones. He comes across as passionate about his craft and that attracted me to the book he has written about his life so far in Boy In A China Shop. I’m glad to say that the book confirms my opinion of him as being sensitive, committed and all round lovely person.
The one thing many autobiographies for me don’t do is convey the personality of the person properly, becoming just a series of events relayed in print, thankfully that is not the case here. The Keith Brymer Jones who prone to crying, has a slightly mischievous sense of humour, speaks from the page and it is a delight to read. We learn about his initial hopes to become a dancer, of how he struggled in school due to his dyslexia and how his art teacher introduced him to the greatest passion of his life, pottery! In doing so he set him on the path to TV and the programme loved by so many, The Great Pottery Throwdown.
What I love about this book is his honesty! It has not all been a bed of roses, this one-time dancer, then front man in a rock band, has faced a life long battle with anxiety. He talks about this and the toll starting his own pottery business took on his life with a practical sense of realism. We all imagine I think, that TV presenters are individuals blessed with trouble free lives, but the persona they project on screen, is not always an accurate reflection of their life experiences or the journey they took before appearing on our TV screens. Boy In A China reflects the truth of his life and how the man beloved by so many arrived at a point in his life where he was invited to be a judge on a wonderful feelgood programme, beloved by so many.
It really is a book that reflects his journey and takes us behind the scenes of his life
October 4, 2023
Really enjoyed KBJ’s autobiography. Enjoyed it more than the talk we went to which instigated the purchase of the book because Mandy & I wanted to know more. She felt the book didn’t really tell you any more whereas I felt it gave additional details about some aspects of his life, like his band & their members & what became of them & also more detail about some pottery processes & facts about for example bone china & how Britain came to be a leader in this & so on. Or maybe I just didn’t take as much of it in on the talk as I did with the book. Regardless, even if you don’t follow Pottery Throw Down or necessarily have an interest in the industry or Keith, the book is still informative & written in a fun easy read way. What I like most about KBJ is that, despite his dedication to his craft & expectations of high quality, he still somehow doesn’t seem to take himself or the world too seriously. For all he has achieved he still comes across as genuine, humble, eager to learn & all round nice bloke. Nice blokes don’t often make it in this nasty world we compete in but this nice bloke has & that says a lot more about him than he will say about himself.
February 6, 2024
This book was an absolute joy from beginning to end.
One of my favourite shows is 'The Great Pottery Throw Down. I find it life-affirming in that all of the contestants support each other, and it is hugely relaxing and friendly. This originates from the presenters and judges. In particular Keith Brymer Jones... and this is his story.
If you think you know him from the show, think again. He used to be a ballet dancer! He used to sink on a punk/indie/folk band called The Wigs. He comes over as a brilliant storyteller, and an all round good bloke... though some of the stuff he did as lead singer of the Wigs is a bit strange. One thing came across... he is a VERY hard worker, and loves his job.... OK, that's two. The only negative I found in the book was his bemoaning that pottery is declining in the UK, but he is happy to outsource his work to China. That seemed a bit of a dichotomy to me.
I came away with even more affection for him, despite his faults, and will definitely look at him in a totally different light. If you've never seen or heard about The Great Pottery Throw Down, and immediately think it's a bit too naff, please give it a go... you can thank me afterwards.
One of my favourite shows is 'The Great Pottery Throw Down. I find it life-affirming in that all of the contestants support each other, and it is hugely relaxing and friendly. This originates from the presenters and judges. In particular Keith Brymer Jones... and this is his story.
If you think you know him from the show, think again. He used to be a ballet dancer! He used to sink on a punk/indie/folk band called The Wigs. He comes over as a brilliant storyteller, and an all round good bloke... though some of the stuff he did as lead singer of the Wigs is a bit strange. One thing came across... he is a VERY hard worker, and loves his job.... OK, that's two. The only negative I found in the book was his bemoaning that pottery is declining in the UK, but he is happy to outsource his work to China. That seemed a bit of a dichotomy to me.
I came away with even more affection for him, despite his faults, and will definitely look at him in a totally different light. If you've never seen or heard about The Great Pottery Throw Down, and immediately think it's a bit too naff, please give it a go... you can thank me afterwards.
October 19, 2024
As an avid viewer of The Great British Pottery Throwdown, Keith Brymer Jones, as head judge, is a popular man. He's fun, generous, and well-known for his emotional responses to the potter's finished projects. I wanted to read this book to discover more about the man behind the apron!
Keith is a hard worker. He's built his pottery; grafting and working every day to establish his brand and get to the stage where he's able to bring in an income. His journey has been full of the pressures and strife you'd expect, but then some! It's been interesting to read how he came to be a judge on "Throwdown" and how he's still working in between the filming of the series; flying to China or India, and back again.
If you're a "Throwdown" fan, this is an interesting book of discovery. If you're not, it's still a good read about how a little-known rock star became a successful potter. Definitely one for the biography collection.
Keith is a hard worker. He's built his pottery; grafting and working every day to establish his brand and get to the stage where he's able to bring in an income. His journey has been full of the pressures and strife you'd expect, but then some! It's been interesting to read how he came to be a judge on "Throwdown" and how he's still working in between the filming of the series; flying to China or India, and back again.
If you're a "Throwdown" fan, this is an interesting book of discovery. If you're not, it's still a good read about how a little-known rock star became a successful potter. Definitely one for the biography collection.
December 30, 2024
I love to try new things, in fact, I make a point to try at least one new thing every year. In 2024, that thing was pottery! I am not super intuitive at it, but I do love the feeling of my hands in the clay and the way I can't think about anything else while doing it. I love playing with the glazes and painting my pieces. I have now watched a few seasons of "Great Pottery Show Down" and Keith Brymer Jones is one of the hosts and master potters, and he is just so sweet. He cries when things make him really happy, and it makes me happy, in turn. This book was quite absorbing, writing about his rough upbringing, his almost famous punk band, internshipping at a local pottery and eventually starting his own line. I wasn't super into learning about the business side of things, and how his items got mass produced, but otherwise a lot of touching moments and very interesting characters. Thanks to my pottery instructor (who is also from the UK and awesome) for lending it to me!
May 2, 2025
This was a great read for me. I watched a little of Keith on the Pottery Throwdown and just loved ho emotional he got on the show, and then when I saw that he and his partner Marj made a series documenting their journey after buying a Chapel in Wales, I got so invested in that I absolutely love it.
I love how Keith doesn't hide his emotions, it's so lovely to see someone so passionate about something they work with. It really shows in his book too, the same passion he has for the job he loves and the career he has had. This book documents how Keith came to be a potter, and now a master potter, he is an expert in all things pottery and it really shows when you watch him on TV and also in this book.
What a great read and really interesting. I love his relationship with Marj I think they are just perfect for each other, they bounce off one another when you watch them together and I love that they are both very emotional people, it's really lovely to watch.
I love how Keith doesn't hide his emotions, it's so lovely to see someone so passionate about something they work with. It really shows in his book too, the same passion he has for the job he loves and the career he has had. This book documents how Keith came to be a potter, and now a master potter, he is an expert in all things pottery and it really shows when you watch him on TV and also in this book.
What a great read and really interesting. I love his relationship with Marj I think they are just perfect for each other, they bounce off one another when you watch them together and I love that they are both very emotional people, it's really lovely to watch.
January 30, 2023
“For me, the bowl form is the most satisfying shape to make. I see them as the ceramic equivalent of cupped hands, offering something to a stranger. The embodiment of all that is good in human nature, they are what we use when we want to share food with friends and family. Bowls would have been one of the first shapes thrown by humans; before cutlery they were the most practical object from which to eat. I think the bowl might be the first design classic.”
Biography of the star of the Great Pottery Throwdown, written with the assistance of Michael James.
Jones has an engaging personality and has been a production thrower, designer and musician. The story of how he was head-hunted for the TV show is amusing and led me to another facet of his life.
A gentle tale of a gentle and well-loved man.
Biography of the star of the Great Pottery Throwdown, written with the assistance of Michael James.
Jones has an engaging personality and has been a production thrower, designer and musician. The story of how he was head-hunted for the TV show is amusing and led me to another facet of his life.
A gentle tale of a gentle and well-loved man.
February 2, 2024
I love Keith!!
I didn’t know who Keith was until I started to watch pottery throw down. His enthusiasm towards pottery and creations made with this medium, along with his encouragement to the potters within the competition made me want to read his book.
The book is easy to read and follow. Pottery terms are explained but not overly complicated. There are pictures and links to areas in the book that helped show what was being discussed. I even googled some and saw “the wigs” in action as well as some beautiful pottery pieces. The book goes from school aged Keith and his first time with clay all the way to adult Keith with years of pottery experience. Learning a skill can come in many different forms, and I love how this is shown within the book. Well done Keith, all your time and effort paid off to a successful career. I definitely want to own some of Keith’s pottery, such a positive and beautiful way of seeing useful pottery made with love and hard work.
I didn’t know who Keith was until I started to watch pottery throw down. His enthusiasm towards pottery and creations made with this medium, along with his encouragement to the potters within the competition made me want to read his book.
The book is easy to read and follow. Pottery terms are explained but not overly complicated. There are pictures and links to areas in the book that helped show what was being discussed. I even googled some and saw “the wigs” in action as well as some beautiful pottery pieces. The book goes from school aged Keith and his first time with clay all the way to adult Keith with years of pottery experience. Learning a skill can come in many different forms, and I love how this is shown within the book. Well done Keith, all your time and effort paid off to a successful career. I definitely want to own some of Keith’s pottery, such a positive and beautiful way of seeing useful pottery made with love and hard work.
October 1, 2025
Blimey... where should I start? I was probably living on a different planet for past years. Couple months ago I discovered the Throw Down and I was absolutely touched by Keith and his personality. Then I saw his book. Currently reading numerous books, I couldn't resist to start reading this one immediately when it arrived. And boy... I love him even more now! It is so authentic and it's such a pleasure to watch his journey through life and his ups and downs. Still have so many questions I would love to ask him... Oh, why five stars? Because when you achieve to create feeling in other person that the writer is your friend, you definitely deserve five stars. Keith, thank you for this book, you made me laugh, cry and created all kind of emotions. I am stunned!
June 20, 2023
I have watched The Great Pottery Throwdown from the beginning & it's addictive TV.
When we heard that Keith was doing a road trip, giving talks around the country, we were thrilled to see that he was appearing at a local theatre. We booked our seats and went & had one of the best nights of our lives. What a gorgeous man, Marj was gorgeous too.
I picked up his autobiography in the foyer, it's a slim volume but so full of humour, love & bloody hard work! A superb journal of a busy life well lived.
Can't wait for the next series to start on TV, safe in the knowledge that Keith will give 150% of himself. A sweet, clever & generous man.
When we heard that Keith was doing a road trip, giving talks around the country, we were thrilled to see that he was appearing at a local theatre. We booked our seats and went & had one of the best nights of our lives. What a gorgeous man, Marj was gorgeous too.
I picked up his autobiography in the foyer, it's a slim volume but so full of humour, love & bloody hard work! A superb journal of a busy life well lived.
Can't wait for the next series to start on TV, safe in the knowledge that Keith will give 150% of himself. A sweet, clever & generous man.
March 20, 2023
I loved how this started with a lesson in throwing. I’m an avid potter (not great, just love doing it) the book was informative and fun to read. I’ve always thought it was a real shame Keith made the decision to go outside of the UK with his product, I can see why … but it was ultimately only about the money. GBPT is great, but this insight left me feeling very sad for the British pottery industry - why not invest here. I felt it showed Keith as a hypocrite not a lover of all things ceramic.
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