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The Merthyr rising
Used book
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
237 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1979
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Gwyn Alfred Williams
27 books4 followersGwyn Alfred "Alf" Williams was a Welsh historian particularly known for his work on Antonio Gramsci and Francisco Goya as well as on Welsh history.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 25, 2009
"I can still remember the day when I encountered my first Conservative, a shock all the greater in that it coincided with the crisis of puberty".
Thus Gwyn Williams, introducing his home town of Merthyr Tydfil, famously a socialist town in the Welsh valleys, as Williams himself was famously a socialist. Gwyn Williams, known to some as "Gwyn Alf", was for many the 20th century historian of popular culture. At the very least, he stood as a diminutive giant as the equal of other giants in the same field, men such as E P Thompson, Eric Hobsbawm and Christopher Hill. His undergraduate lectures, which I myself witnessed, were delivered as though from a soap box, bowling his students along with good humour, intelligence and insight.
This inspirational scholarly account tells of the Merthyr Rising of 1831, a self-consciously working class revolt set against the Reform Bill campaign, in which some two dozen revolutionaries were killed and seventy wounded. The narrative moves effortlessly between accounts of day to day events to analysis of the local class structure, the place of religion and music, and the price of food. Melbourne the Prime Minister, with his characteristic guile and wisdom had only one individual hanged. Even so, this man, Dic Penderyn, lived on in local legend, as martyr and hero, into recent times.
Williams account of the Merthyr Rising is full of his characteristic wit, energy and spirit. It is a splendid book.
Thus Gwyn Williams, introducing his home town of Merthyr Tydfil, famously a socialist town in the Welsh valleys, as Williams himself was famously a socialist. Gwyn Williams, known to some as "Gwyn Alf", was for many the 20th century historian of popular culture. At the very least, he stood as a diminutive giant as the equal of other giants in the same field, men such as E P Thompson, Eric Hobsbawm and Christopher Hill. His undergraduate lectures, which I myself witnessed, were delivered as though from a soap box, bowling his students along with good humour, intelligence and insight.
This inspirational scholarly account tells of the Merthyr Rising of 1831, a self-consciously working class revolt set against the Reform Bill campaign, in which some two dozen revolutionaries were killed and seventy wounded. The narrative moves effortlessly between accounts of day to day events to analysis of the local class structure, the place of religion and music, and the price of food. Melbourne the Prime Minister, with his characteristic guile and wisdom had only one individual hanged. Even so, this man, Dic Penderyn, lived on in local legend, as martyr and hero, into recent times.
Williams account of the Merthyr Rising is full of his characteristic wit, energy and spirit. It is a splendid book.
July 18, 2020
Moved to Wales last year with my returning Welsh husband, learning Welsh at the Soar in Merthyr with a group of warm, witty and friendly Merthyr people.
Very glad to have read this informative history of the Merthyr Rising and fascinating early union activity. I must ask our Welsh teacher if this subject is taught to schoolchildren in Merthyr.
Very glad to have read this informative history of the Merthyr Rising and fascinating early union activity. I must ask our Welsh teacher if this subject is taught to schoolchildren in Merthyr.
April 2, 2019
Merthyr Tydfil is a beautiful town. It is all warm and friendly now with green spaces filling in over the industrial ravages of the past. While much industry has gone and the good people struggle with their economic challenges, I have found them to be open-hearted and welcoming.
For a solid history, this book is highly readable. The author knows his subject and in a couple of prefaces in the edition that I read, he explains his roots in the town and the social and socialist history that he knew. I am proud to say that I am a relation by marriage of one Abednego Jones who carried a flag of reform. See, https://johnelinorvaughan.blogspot.co...
Williams provides an excellent background on the history and social conditions leading to the rising. Then the events roll forward and carry through the tragedy and sacrifices leading to some reforms. Dic Penderyn and all those he represents should be everyone's heroes.
For a solid history, this book is highly readable. The author knows his subject and in a couple of prefaces in the edition that I read, he explains his roots in the town and the social and socialist history that he knew. I am proud to say that I am a relation by marriage of one Abednego Jones who carried a flag of reform. See, https://johnelinorvaughan.blogspot.co...
Williams provides an excellent background on the history and social conditions leading to the rising. Then the events roll forward and carry through the tragedy and sacrifices leading to some reforms. Dic Penderyn and all those he represents should be everyone's heroes.
February 10, 2008
Gwyn Williams brilliantly explores one of Wales most important spontaneous social justice actions.
January 2, 2016
Possibly the best study available on the subject of the Merthyr Rising.
June 26, 2018
The absolute best book about the Merthyr Rising. Gwyn Alf’s perspective is incredible as always.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews