PART OF PARTHIAN'S MODERN WALES SERIES
SERIES EDITOR: DAI SMITH
Merthyr Tydfil was the town where the future of a country was forged: a thriving, struggling surge of people, industry, democracy and ideas. It was the iron making capital of the world, and would become the crucible of modern Wales.
The major figures among the ruling class: Anthony Bacon, the Crawshays, the Guests are all portrayed; as are the Chartist leaders Morgan Williams and Matthew John, and the MPs Henry Bruce, Henry Richard, D.A. Thomas and Keir Hardie. But the heroes are the men and women of Merthyr who, with extraordinary resilience, passed through the crucible of harsh experience, and out of their communities of self-help created
their own culture and an extraordinary town.
Merthyr, The Crucible of Modern Wales assesses an epic history of Merthyr from 1760 to 1912 through the focus of a fresh and thoroughly convincing perspective.
“A fantastic piece of work. Highly impressive and just what is needed.
An historical argument that takes in the complete sweep of industrial
Merthyr’s experience from the Poor Law to popular politics, from
industrial developments to urbanisation – the book is all the stronger
for it.” Andy Croll, University of South Wales
“This enjoyable and revealing book written in a clear and vigorous style
illuminates Merthyr society but populates it with vivid character sketches
of real breathing people. It shows how Merthyr was South Wales in the era
of iron and then became a vital part of it in the coal age. A book accessible
for those who don’t know the story and fruitful for those who think they
do. It contains much original research as well as a masterly pulling together
of what others have written.” Neil Evans, Cardiff University.
“A must-read for anyone interested in Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais and
their extraordinary impact upon the wider world.” Huw Williams
“A full sweep of Merthyr’s industrial history.” Gwyn Griffiths, The
Morning Star