A solitary reference in correspondence from the Victorian age informs us of 'The Chester Book Club, 1824' and a single meeting that took place that year. It contains names and cryptic allusions to members and to reading matter.
This book, and the in-depth research that sits behind it, seeks to establish who these forgotten people were and how their lives played out. The result is a rich kaleidoscope of biographies, set against the events and upheavals of the era. In it, we encounter towering figures who have left an indelible mark on history and others who changed the world but whose light has dimmed with the passage of time. At its heart is the club and a tight social network that nourished and inspired those who were involved in it. Powerful themes emerge, such as social inequality, racial injustice and the role of women in society, which resonate strongly in the modern day.
From start to finish, revelations unfold in the manner of the best detective story, and the period detail is unsparing. The book is anchored in Chester, but its scope is universal. It will appeal to anyone interested in history, biography and great stories about real people and places from the past. Readers keen to learn more about Regency society, with all its quirks and foibles, will find it a particular delight.