Harvey is a published author and historian, with several books to his name, starting with "Hey Dad" in 1983. Others include "Rolling Thunder" the history of Karekare which won the Montana Books Award's environmental category, "Untamed Coast" which was a Montana Book Award finalist (3 editions), "Wild Beast" about painter Dean Buchanan, "White Cloud Silver Screen" a collection of film scene locations, "Spirit of the West" with Ted Scott, "Iron Bound Coast" the memoir of Wally Badham, "Westies" and (2014) "Wild Westie – the incredible life of Bob Harvey", a biography by Hazel Phillips and published by Penguin. Bob is currently working on the history of the Kakekare Surf Lifesaving Club, of which he is a life member, for its 80th birthday celebration called "The Boys of Summer". He is also a regular contributor to Metro magazine.