The Strangeness That Is Wales

Jack's Strange Tales #3

by Jack Strange

This book looks at the strange legends, tales and ghosts of Wales. Although the stories are intended to entertain as much as educate, the historical facts are accurate.

Did the Welsh sail across the Atlantic in the 12th century?
Was King Arthur Welsh?

Included are stories on ghosts - both real and fake - and the legend of King Arthur. Welsh animal lore, customs, monsters and music are also examined.

One of the strangest villages in the world gets a chapter to itself, as do witches, miners and druids.

The book is written in a personal, light-hearted style, with geographical references to help identify the places. Hopefully, you will come away with a different view on Wales - and a smile on your face.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2018

Reviews

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wales, land of song and strange goings on

I enjoyed this book very much. My Mum was half-Welsh so I have an ancestral connection to the place. I was also stationed at a small RAF camp on Cardigan Bay for a time and completed my RAF survival training in the Brecon Beacons, mentioned in the book. I'm glad I didn't know of some of the stories related in this book at the time, or I might have made a run for civilisation before my training was completed. Jack Strange has put together a wonderful collection of some of the best and least known myths, legends and simply weird happenings in this small but diverse country, where even here there is a North/South divide, with those in the north more prone to perpetuating the ancient Welsh language, less so in the south. From ghosts to goblins, fairies and strange monsters, it's all here in the pages of this book, together with some of the history of the people of this strange land that has so much to offer the traveller and the serious historian alike. As one with some connection to Wales, and some experience of a couple of its wilder places, I found this to be an enjoyable and informative read, which pays due homage to the people and the history of Wales, Land of Song, and weird goings-on.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is everything strange from red dragons to ghostly ladies dressed in green instead of white. It seems the men of Wales are fighters, poets, and singers that continue long after their life spans as the ghostly music greets you in caves, by the lakes, and in the graveyard. Of course, the ghostly ladies sing also. Everything, however, seemed nebulous. Even their answer to Nessie in Lake Ness is so infrequent that it is just tales passed down. The creature seems to be camera shy. The author visits lakes, caves, graveyards, old houses, and tells different versions of the same phenomena. It seems one can even disappear when trying to solve a ghostly visitation. The author does credit the fighting spirit of the Welsh. It seems they were the first to wear the red jacket for their marching armies. Their renown was so great that Britain retained the red color for all of their troops. Who would have thought?

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're a guy named Strange, i guess you're destined to write books like this. At least it seems he thinks so. So this guy goes around collecting odd little facts and stories about different places and turns them into books like this. This one picks on Wales. The problem is, not all strange little stories are interesting, or at least they aren't when told by Mr Strange. So getting through this book takes some discipline and there's really no pay-off. So skip this book and go listen to the tales of old folks in your own neighborhood. They're probably more interesting.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in a brilliant series, this one is just as fascinating as the others with tales of dragons, ghosts & unusual customs. Wales is a nation steeped in history and legend and the author has done a great job of thoroughly researching each topic, even going so far as to get first hand accounts from the locals as he travelled the country in his quest to uncover the ‘strangeness’ of Wales. This book is another ‘keeper’ that I’ll be going back to many times as Jack Strange weaves the best of tales.

[Melissa Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book, learned a lot of things. Would recommend it to others.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some very strange tales from the history and folk tales from this country. This story makes for a very entertaining read. I would love to see some of these places.

[Maryteresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disapppointed in this book. I found it tedious.

[Mary Jo Bellersheim]

I have a good friend that was born in Newtown at the start of WWIi. We will share a few pints0