Land of My Fathers: 2000 Years of Welsh History

by Gwynfor Evans

English, Welsh (translation)

Genres: History, Nonfiction

465 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1974

About the author

Gwynfor Richard Evans (1 September 1912 – 21 April 2005) was a Welsh politician, lawyer and author. He was President of the Welsh political party Plaid Cymru for thirty six years and was the first Member of Parliament to represent it at Westminster, which he did twice, from 1966 to 1970, and again from 1974 to 1979.

Reviews

[Judith Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our house are many bookshelves, and books waiting to be read, and included in these are ones that have waited patiently for many years. One of these was Land of My Fathers, the passionate and partisan overview by the late Gwynfor Evans of 2,000 years of Welsh history. Our edition, published in 1974, holds special significance for our family, as my late father-in-law, who worked as a printer at Gwasg John Penry in Swansea, actually typeset both it and its original version in Welsh (Aros Mae). Dycu was a fluent Welsh-speaker who occasionally quoted Welsh poetry to me, (with translation) hoping to convey the beauty and lyricism on his language to me.

Gwynfor Evans was in turn Vice-President, President and Honorary President of Plaid Cymru, the Welsh national party, and the establishment of the Welsh speaking TV channel S4C is attributed to his threat to go on hunger-strike, forcing Margaret Thatcher to make good on the Conservatives’ manifesto promise which they were keen to renege on.

I married a Welshman in 1980, and spent many happy times in the years since visiting family and friends in South Wales, where I have always been received with the warmest hospitality. As a reader, over the years, I’ve read short stories, novels, poems about Wales, the Mabinogion, some 20th century history, seen plays, enjoyed seeing the wonderful Max Boyce live, listening to Welsh music, etc, but Evans’ book has been a real eye-opener for me about the illustrious and unique spiritual, cultural and social history of Wales, its people and its language. I have felt both deeply sad and very angry sometimes at learning of the damage done to them by what Evans terms (and I must say, I can only agree) English imperialism. I have also been moved by the beauty of the poetry quoted.The book consists of 453 pages, and is written accessibly for the lay reader - Evans was not an academic, but a lawyer and MP, so he quotes from Welsh historians whose work has informed him. There’s a great deal of ground covered, and I feel stimulated to go on to read more deeply and widely. I am also hoping to enrol to learn (a long-held ambition) the Welsh language - . It has survived against all odds in Wales, given the onslaught of English policies, and since devolution, efforts have increased to support it, but it sadly has a long way to go to come anywhere near the level in the mid 19th Century (before the advent of the Welsh Not), when 90% of the population was Welsh-speaking.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate and emotive history of Wales from prehistoric times until 1929. It is unashamedly partisan, and covers not just historic events but the rich cultural life of Wales over two millenia.

Much of the focus on the cultural importance of figures throughout history probably makes this a unique book on Welsh history. A fascinating and insightful read.

[Cameron Hook · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly angry read, I feel like as someone who is a totally unabashed English history hater, this was a step to far. Tiring to read

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. It shows the rich character of the Welsh people and actually inspired me to try to learn Welsh (I didn't get very far, but still...). I would love to be able to visit Wales some day. This book is a must read for anyone who like Wales and Welsh history.

[Tonya King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely thorough history of Wales despite being a little tough to wade through, I enjoyed it very much. I wish I spoke Welsh!

[Harry Tomos · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book amazing things I never knew