Would It Surprise You To Know…?

Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Janet Gleeson

$35

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Penguin (Cornerstone)
16 April 2023

Film, TV & Radio; Autobiography: general; Autobiography: arts & entertainment; Antiques & collectables

A rich and moving memoir telling the rags to riches story of Ronnie Archer-Morgan, expert on beloved TV show Antiques Roadshow

'Ronnie has overcome a heart-breaking start in life to achieve great success and no one deserves it more. What a dude, what a life!' - Fiona Bruce

'Brilliant...a mercurial memoir of a meritorious life.' - Lemn Sissay

For decades, Ronnie Archer-Morgan has brought to life the fascinating, often surprising backstories behind our most cherished heirlooms and household objects on the Antiques Roadshow. Now, he tells his own unlikely story.

Born in the fifties to a Sierra Leonean mother battling mental health problems, Ronnie spent his childhood in and out of care. After difficult beginnings, marked by abuse, racism and brushes with both criminals and the police, he got into music, managing to get DJ gigs and, later, worked as a celebrity hairdresser for Vidal Sassoon and Smile in the height of seventies London. A flair for spotting antiques led him to start his own Knightsbridge gallery, ultimately becoming one of the most respected figures in the industry, culminating in a regular spot as an expert on the nation's Sunday favourite, Antiques Roadshow.

Told with rich warmth, this is an extraordinary journey from deprivation and abuse to adventure and success against the odds - with stories of the incredible objects which shaped the way.

'A surprising story, like many of the objects he appraises on the Antiques Roadshow' - Kate Adie, broadcaster and bestselling author

'A fascinating, rollercoaster read, very well told.' - Times

By: Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Janet Gleeson
Imprint: Penguin (Cornerstone)
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 235g
ISBN: 9781529158939
ISBN 10: 1529158931
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 16 April 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Ronnie Archer-Morgan (Author) Ronnie Archer-Morgan has worked in the antiques business for over 30 years. He learned the tricks of the antiques trade by exploring local shops and markets whilst working a variety of jobs including technical model maker, DJ, a boutique manager and celebrity hairdresser. This eventually led him to work as consultant to Sotheby's wristwatch department and to start his own renowned Knightsbridge gallery. Today, Ronnie is best known for his regular appearances on the TV favourite Antiques Roadshow where his exciting finds have included a Fijian war club, and he remains a fixture at London's flea markets and the prestigious Masterpiece Art Fair Janet Gleeson (Author) Janet Gleeson is the author of works of fiction and nonfiction which have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Her books include The Arcanum, which was Radio 4 Book of the Week and a Sunday Times bestseller, The Money Maker, An Aristocratic Affair and The Lifeboat Baronet, as well as three historical crime novels. She has a BA Hons in English and Art History from Nottingham University and an MA from Birkbeck College, University of London. She worked at Sotheby's and Bonhams where she specialised in old master paintings before starting her writing career as a columnist for House & Garden and an editor for Reed Books. She lives in a medieval barn in Dorset.

Reviews for Would It Surprise You To Know…?

Life as a pinball [. . .] all the time absorbing history and art and adventurous travel. A black man pursuing culture and pursued by prejudice, pinging against the glamour and the pitfalls of the antiques trade. A surprising story, like many of the objects he appraises on the Antiques Roadshow. -- Kate Adie, broadcaster and bestselling author Ronnie has told me stories from his past over our years together on the Antiques Roadshow. But, reading his autobiography, all I can say is, yes, I am surprised. Is there anything he hasn't done? Ronnie has overcome a heart-breaking start in life to achieve great success and no one deserves it more. What a dude, what a life! -- Fiona Bruce A gripping memoir about overcoming an abusive childhood...A fascinating rollercoaster read, very well told..full of devastating cruelty and remarkable strokes of luck * Times *