The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales - Hardcover

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9780708319536: The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 070831953X ISBN 13: 9780708319536

Publisher: University of Wales Press, 2008

What do the Gresford Bells, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Jones, some of the world’s greatest snooker players and Formula One drivers, laverbread, the Manic Street Preachers, the leek, Spencer Davis, and Bertrand Russell have in common?

Answer: They’re all native to Wales!

This definitive work of reference—which reveals the storied histories of all of the above Welsh exports, as well as everything you need to know about this remarkable, fascinating, and iconoclastic principality—will undoubtedly be one of the most important books published in the history of Wales. Running the gamut of in-depth research and thought-provoking knowledge—from folk heroes to rock stars, ancient bards to Dylan Thomas, and all the men and women in between who have excelled in art, culture, politics, commerce, and sport—this thrilling volume provides easily accessible information on any aspect of Wales and Welsh life, past and present, letting you know why this centuries-old nation enjoys the nickname, “Cool Cymru.”

In the 2002 census, 24 million Americans claimed Welsh ancestry—Donny Osmond, Susan Sarandon, and Hilary Clinton among them—and the high-profile Welsh celebrities who occupy the headlines of art and leisure are almost too numerous too list (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Richard Burton, and Naomi Watts, to name a few). This unsurpassed volume, ten years in the making, includes over 3,300 entries on the notable personalities, rich histories, eye-opening etymologies, nationalist revivals, breathtaking geographies, and absorbing cultural, religious, athletic, culinary, and musical traditions that help define this spectacular nation. Accompanied by over 300 full color images, this celebration of the Welsh nation’s past and present is an absolutely essential item for anyone with an interest in the wonderfully diverse heritage of a truly incredible nation.

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About the Author:

John Davies is the author of several volumes on the history of Wales as well as a television and radio broadcaster. Nigel Jenkins is a poet, editor, and broadcaster who won the Arts Council of Wales Book of the Year in 1996 for his volume Gwalia in Khasia. Menna Baines is the former editor of the Welsh-language magazine, Barn. Peredur I. Lynch was formerly head of the Welsh Department at the University of Wales, Bangor and is currently its director of research and postgraduate studies.

Review:

'The appearance of these handsome volumes represents an important achievement, or, more accurately, several important achievements. The standard of the diverse entries is high - meriting praise all around for the editors and contributors. The production quality is high, auguring well for the Press - as does, most especially, the simultaneous appearance of Welsh and English editions. For the weighty and colourful item that it is, GBP65.00 is good value. With the successful products now in hand, the kicking of the publication date ahead into 2008 is vindicated as a triumph of standards and uncut corners over the distortions and compromises to which many at UK universities and university presses succumbed in the race to the 2007 Research Assessment Exercise.'John T. Koch, Planet'The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales is both a validation and a deepening of the Welsh experience. It is not just a dependable and companionable reference tool but it is also a joyous one, celebrating the complexity and extraordinary texture of this small, peninsular country. Its editors and publishers are deserving of our undying thanks for giving us such a marvellous guidebook to treasure, and which can guide us to treasure.'Jon Gower, New Welsh Review, No. 81

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