The Spirit of Starbeck takes in all aspects of Starbeck's history including the industrial heritage; it includes many previously unseen pictures of everything from the original Betty's bakehouse to the modern car showrooms. The book captures the unique atmosphere and spirit of the area, it also includes chapters detailing the ups and downs of the local sporting institutions, community celebrations, and a chapter devoted to the achievements of the late Gordon Beer and the Starbeck Museum. The book also answers many questions, and explanations are given for such things as the stone bull's head at the entrance to the trailer park, the forest enclosure boundary stones, and the many isolated former gateposts that stand in various positions along Knaresborough Road, not forgetting the history of Harrogate's often forgotten spa.