Non Fiction
ISBN: 9781781725696
Publication date: December 13, 2021
Price: £12.99
The Slate landscape of Northwest Wales is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This county-wide addition to the Real series explores mainland northwest Wales, an area rich in history from pre-Roman times to the industrial (slate quarrying) and post-industrial (tourism and heritage).
Gwynedd is a fascinating mix of English and Welsh speaking cultures which the author is very well placed to explore.
As a native of the area, Rhys Mwyn recognises the historically unusual in Gwynedd, and has a lightness of touch in exploring its significance. His book is a richly detailed and quirky exploration of a place where history takes in druids, princely medieval power, the Romantic Tour, grinding industrialisation, absentee landlords, religious persecution, the Victorian seaside, and contemporary tourism. Illustrated by offbeat photographs, and drawing on Mwyn’s Welsh language culture, Real Gwynedd is an entertaining and informative exploration of this often mysterious, mountainous country.
Rhys Mwyn
Rhys Mwyn worked for Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust and as a teacher in Llanrwst before becoming a rock musician, record label owner, music publisher, writer, radio and tv presenter. He is currently a heritage adviser, Blue Badge tour guide, lecturer for WEA and adult education lecturer at Bangor University. Bilingual, he is popular on social media and is enjoyed as a hands-on guide to the historically offbeat. He is the author of Cam I’r Gorffennol: Safleoedd Archaeolegol Yng Ngogledd Cymru and Cam o’r Tywyllwch – Hunangofiant Rhys Mwyn. Rhys is the author of Real Gwynedd which was published with Seren in May 2020.
“Mwyn is a genial companion on this Gywnedd tour … a fun read and one that left me eager to hop in the car myself and take a closer look at this singular county.”
Adam Jones, Buzz Mag
“You’d have to be a hard core member of the Gwyneddigion to know everything in this dizzy mix of psychogeography, countercultural reminiscence and oblique travel guide … There is oodles of passion. ‘seeing’ and a great busyness of curiosity on display in the pages of Real Gwynedd.”
Jon Gower, Nation Cymru
