The Long Unwinding Road
A Journey Through the Heart of Wales
Author(s) Marc P. Jones
Language: English
Genre(s): Calon, History, Tourism, Welsh Interest
- April 2024 · 240 pages ·216x135mm
- · Hardback - 9781915279583
- · eBook - epub - 9781915279606
- · eBook - pdf - 9781915279613
About The Book
If you want to see the whole of Wales, from cosmopolitan Cardiff in the south to the historic Victorian resorts of the north, there’s one road that will take you all the way: the A470. This route, which traverses the country from end to end, winds its way through post-industrial valleys, agricultural landscapes and stunning mountains – and it offers a chance to see Wales for what it is in the twenty-first century, in all its diversity.
In the company of Gwendoline, his trusty but ancient scooter, travel writer Marc P. Jones follows the long unwinding road of the A470 on a quest to discover what makes his homeland tick. Taking in the splendour, beauty and history of the communities he travels through, Marc explores what unites and divides the different regions of this varied nation, and how can they learn to understand each other better. And one question, above all others, remains to be answered: will Gwendoline make it to the end of the road in one piece?
Endorsements
‘Marc P. Jones takes us on a journey through an ancient country in a very modern way. His love for his native Wales is deep, but not uncritical. And from the valleys in the south to the mountains of the north, he always allows local voices to come to the fore. Thoroughly enjoyable. What’s the Welsh for “Bravo”?’
Steve Silk, BBC journalist and author of The Great North Road
Contents
Author’s Note vii
PART ONE: THE SOUTH
Chapter 1: The Road to Somewhere
Chapter 2: A World City?
Chapter 3: Ancient Waters
Chapter 4: Work and Play
Chapter 5: How Green is the Valley?
Chapter 6: Rebels and Martyrs
PART TWO: THE GREEN MIDDLE
Chapter 7: Through the Wardrobe
Chapter 8: Soldiers, Scouts and Saxophonists
Chapter 9: Cow Town
Chapter 10: The Devil and the Kite
Chapter 11: Recipes, Roads and Rebecca
Chapter 12: Hippies, Gangsters and Textile Millionaires
Chapter 13: Wales at Last?
PART THREE: THE NORTH
Chapter 14: A Land of Kings and a Town of Disappointment
Chapter 15: The Great Outdoors
Chapter 16: Llanrwst, Language and Llywelyn
Chapter 17: The Castle and the Fab Four
Chapter 18: Tiddly-Om-Pom-Prom
Suggested Reading
Acknowledgements
About the Author