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There have been many books written on Welsh history over the years, but for a concise overview of the subject, A Brief History of Wales will be hard to beat. Author Gerald Morgan says he appreciated “the impossibility of the task… a history of Wales in twenty thousand words! But fools rush in…”

However, Morgan has proved himself more than equal to the challenge by writing a gripping narrative of conquest, resistance and survival. This should come as no great surprise, since he is a respected historian and teacher who admits he has “been in love with the history of Wales since I was ten years old…” This book will be a boon to those who have long-sought after the ‘holy grail’ of an easily digestible, pocketable and, above all, affordable introduction to the history of Wales. It may be brief, but all the most important characters and dates are there, from the Night of the Long Knives to the 1905 victory over the All Blacks, from Welsh Indians to the 1904 Revival.

Amateur historians, tourists, schoolchildren and those merely wishing to brush up on their history will all enjoy reading this book. As Morgan himself says: “I have tried to gain some small grasp of the complexities of history, and have tried to grasp the extraordinary changes which have taken place in Wales during my lifetime.” He has succeeded admirably in these ambitions, despite the inherent difficulties involved.

A Brief History of Wales is the third book by this prolific historian to be published in as many months, following Ceredigion Coast Path – From the Teifi to the Dyfi (Cyngor Ceredigion) and Castles In Wales (Y Lolfa) – both of which were published in July.

Gerald Morgan lives in Aberystwyth and likes to describe himself as a teacher and historian in that order. After teaching English at Ysgol Maes Garmon, Mold, and at Ysgol Gyfun Aberteifi, he served 22 years as head teacher of Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, then of Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, Aberystwyth. A second career saw him teaching Welsh and local history in the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He has published books and articles on a wide range of subjects, including Ceredigion: A Wealth of History and Nanteos – A Welsh House and Its Families.

REVIEWS OF GERALD MORGAN TITLES

''A well-organised, articulate and stimulating work... beautifully illustrated'' – Richard Moore-Colyer on Ceredigion: A Wealth of History.

''A splendid study, balanced, sensitive and nicely setting local events and trends within the wider Welsh and British context.'' David W. Howell on Nanteos – A Welsh House and Its Families.