The History of Wales

by History Nerds

Wales has a long and storied history, filled with heroic deeds, legendary figures, and pivotal moments. In this concise history book, you will discover the fascinating story of Wales, from its ancient Celtic origins to the modern-day nation. From the reign of King Arthur and the battles of the Welsh princes to the industrial revolution and the rise of Welsh nationalism, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the key moments and figures that have shaped Wales over the centuries. With colorful details and engaging storytelling, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Welsh culture and history.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, History

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2022

Reviews

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those seeking a comprehensive yet accessible overview of Welsh history, this book serves as an excellent starting point, particularly for readers with limited prior knowledge on the subject. Spanning from the distant reaches of prehistory to the modern era, the narrative offers a condensed yet informative journey through the annals of Welsh history.

As someone relatively new to the topic, I found the wealth of information provided to be both enlightening and extensive. The inclusion of intriguing tidbits in the "Did You Know" sections added an extra layer of engagement, while the exploration of pivotal periods such as the Iron Age and the Celtic Age brought the history to life in vivid detail.

From the earliest traces of civilization to encounters with figures like Julius Caesar, each chapter unfolds with a wealth of fascinating historical insights. I was particularly impressed by the author's ability to distill such complex subject matter into a format that is both accessible and engaging.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the rich tapestry of Welsh history presented in this book. It is evident that considerable care and attention to detail went into its composition, resulting in a well-written and compelling read that left me eager to learn more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did get some interesting facts out of this but it was a poor experience on audio. It's just hard with Welsh because I never know if.im supposed to say bless you and hand someone a Kleenex, or offer them salt water to gargle when they say place and/or names of someone 🤣

It's no fault of the narrator.

Text wise, a lot of this went in one eye and out the other when I tried reading on Kindle. Part of the issue is that I just don't know much about early European history, at all, and tend to get more interested during the medieval period. What even existed before then? Tribes and cultural diffusion and Roman conquest.

I think the most interesting thing I learned is that modern day Welsh rugby stemmed from some game involving up to 1500 naked men on a field. What were they even doing? Who knows. I also picked up some details about the geography and castles along the borders that speak of a nation that was hard to suppress.

I'm trying to learn more history of the area but just even attention span wise, I do better with stories than straight historical text when I'm not familiar with something already.

I would read more history nerd books though!

[Matthew Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The History of Wales” by History Nerds is an absolute treasure, the kind of book that manages to be both deeply informative and wonderfully accessible. As someone who’s always been fascinated by British history but never knew much about Wales, I found this to be the perfect starting point. It gently eases beginners into the story of Wales with clear explanations and engaging storytelling, but just when you think you’ve got the basics down, it surprises you with advanced insights and little known details that even seasoned history buffs would appreciate.

What really sets this book apart is how it highlights Wales as its own distinct nation, not just a side chapter of England’s story. The authors make a point of celebrating the unique culture, struggles, and triumphs of the Welsh people, and by the end, you come away with a genuine appreciation for how different and special this corner of the world truly is.

It’s rare to find a history book that feels both educational and exciting, but “The History of Wales” manages it effortlessly. Whether you’re brand new to the topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this book is perfect.

[William O. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever wondered how the country of Wales fits within the United Kingdom, this book will give you the details. Previously, my understanding of Wales was lacking for sure so I wanted to become familiar with this area of the United Kingdom. The one thing that I gained from the book, was that of all the countries that comprise the UK, Wales is the country that is the most surprising among Scotland and Ireland. I say surprising since I think most people (Americans) have a general idea of Irish and Scottish cultures but when it comes to Wales, I think most believe the Welsh are just “regular English” not having their own history, culture and language. For the most part (at least it appears to me after reading this book) Wales appears more integrated with England more so than Scotland or even Northern Ireland, but still maintaining their staunch uniqueness and independence within Britain.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this audiobook to be extremely informative and detailed. I was impressed by the narrator's ability to pronounce all of this difficult Welsh names of both people and places.
This audiobook expressed the pride of the Welsh people. I enjoyed listening to this book, and it's made me want to know more about the people and the land.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't known much about Welsh history, so it was interesting to learn a bit more about it. However, I don't know how much I will actually remember since I learn more through stories instead of by facts and dates. I would like to continue to learn more about this interesting country. I loved the narrator's accent, so a bonus point for that!

[Jodie Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The History of Wales. What a great book to read and learn from. I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the 'Did You Know" parts as well as the Iron Age and the Celtic Age, Julius Caesar, to name a few. Wow, so much great history. I loved it! Well written.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and entertaining look at the history of Wales. The narrator did a great job of making this a fun listen.

I received a copy of this audio book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook covers the history of Wales. It is an interesting book and the narrator worked well with the text. I enjoyed listening to it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and easily digestible history! I appreciate the audiobook for hearing the pronunciations of the welsh language, because otherwise I would have been lost!

This is one I’ll probably relisten to a few more times in the future to really remember the history!

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even understanding the limits of a brief overview I still don't feel like I know much more than when I started.

[Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled me with the spirit of Owain Glyndŵr

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick overview of the history of Wales. I enjoyed it.

[Katy Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

my favourite part was when the audio narrator quoted a Welsh person in a Scottish accent.