ANTIQUES expert David Harper has published his first book – a lighthearted look at his favourite period in history.
Mr Harper describes A Romp with the Georgians as collection of funny, outrageous and dastardly historical stories at a time when the country was ruled by “the most dysfunctional family in history”.
His book covers the period 1714 to 1830 during which time four King Georges were on the throne.
Mr Harper, a popular face on TV shows such as Bargain Hunt and the Antiques Road Trip, said the book had come about as he worked on a new theatre show.
“I have always had a fascination with the Georgians. I decided to put on a theatre show with stories from the Georgian period,” he said.
“I started writing the show with stories I wanted to include in a 90-minute performance.
“As I was doing this, I was delving deeper and discovering more stories and what began as a programme to accompany the show ended up being a book.”
Mr Harper’s theatre tour is currently on hold due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but the book was published this month.
It covers everything from Georgian health clubs, heavy drinking, odd pets, heroes and villains to smuggling, money laundering and the fashions of the day.
It is Mr Harper’s first venture into publishing.
“I know writers who work two hours on, two hours off for five or six days a week. I could not do it that way, it was when inspiration struck.”
Mr Harper looked to the town when putting the book together – it was designed and typeset by Barnard Castle-based Print Display.
A Romp with the Georgians is available for £11.99. It is on sale at Mr Harper's shop on The Bank, Barnard Castle, via his website www.david-harper.uk, and Amazon.
