Laughter is assured as Harry explores up north - Rated 
It is only natural that Pearson is compared to Bryson (from the front cover to the reviews). Insofar as this encourages you to buy the book, one can only confirm the similarities. I would rather prefer it to the early Bryson, as it concentrates more on people and their foibles (as well as sheep) than on book-learning. Pearson interweaves his research inobtrusively, and the book is clearly written by one who has travelled around the north of Britain's fairs and farms, and then done some homework in the library (and not the other way round like the more recent Brysons). This book will make you laugh out loud, whilst inspiring sympathy and interest in ways of life gone by. This book will age well, and the fact that it was written a few years ago is irrelevant. It is in my view an outstanding book, and it is a shame that probably most of its readers were football fans who have read his other books. This deserves a much wider audience. Buy it from amazon. You will not be disappointed. (and once you have read it, come back to the website and give this review a positive review, because I am right! If you hate the book, then a negative is in order. But you won't)
Prepare to chortle loudly on the train - Rated 
Bill Bryson eat your heart out. Dry, incisive, irreverent and littered with wildly off-topic rants/ancedotes on everything from cinder toffee to psychotic sheep. A bit of history on the origins of English country fairs, mixed with wry observations on regional eccentricities. Please write more Mr pearson!
Funny and well informed - Rated
I first heard excerpts from this on Radio 4 in about 1997. I had to buy it after that, even after what he said about the West Riding. Harry Pearson tells us the history of Northern fairs and describes his visits to a number of them. If you like Bill Bryson you should enjoy this.
A hilarious journey through the northern countryside - Rated
This tape takes the listener across the countryside of northern England, in a journey where present day social commentary is linked back to the historical origins of the country fairs. The author carries the listener along with his unique brand of English humour. The descriptions of people and events strike a chord. At last an audio tape to rival those of Bill Bryson.
Another exceptional Pearson effort, well worth the read. - Rated
After the Far Corner anything else as humorous was expected to be a tall order but Harry has done it again. This book should serve as a ready reference for anyone who is really interested in the northern England people and what makes them tick. Once more Harry has applied his expansive talents to make people laugh to an otherwise mundane subject of the North Country shows. The detailed descriptions of the people the animals the vegetables flowers and food that were experienced coupled with the Pearson anecdotes says it all. Having being asked to leave an international flight due to disturbing other passengers with my constant laughing reading this book, I can say no more. Once more, an excellent volume Harry!! Kevin Windross Canberra Australia
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