Writing Welsh History

Reviews / Votes

The chronological sweep of this text allows Pryce (emer., Bangor Univ.) to illuminate the ways in which the course of the history of the Welsh people produced changes in interpretations of that history. He also introduces readers to a vast number of writers and histories of Wales written over multiple centuries. * Choice * This book will undoubtedly remain the core account of the historiography of Welsh history for many years to come. It is the first work of its kind to be conceived and written on this scale, and it succeeds in offering a convincing and lucidly contextualised synthesis of a large subject...Pryce's book reveals the historical depth and significance of this subject, and it serves as a timely reminder of its continuing potential in the modern world. * Ben Guy, The Medieval Review * In the substantial volume Writing Welsh History Huw Pryce succeeds in doing something rare, namely discuss research on all periods and deal with all kinds of historical texts, and to do so as a specialist ... I cannot think of any similar volume to this about the history of any country, especially a treatment possessing the breadth and depth of the author's scholarship ... From cover to cover, this volume is a consistent achievement. I urge anyone who is seriously interested in the history of Wales, or who wants to understand Wales better, to read it... It is an essential contribution to the discipline of Welsh history, but beyond that it is also an example for understanding the history of other countries. * Dauvit Broun, Glasgow University, O'r Pedwar Gwynt * This book is a tour de force of intellectual history. * Ralph A. Griffiths, Welsh History Review * This substantial book is a most accomplished investigation of how and why Welsh history has been written over many centuries, from a historian who has consistently produced work of the very highest standard on a wide variety of themes and topics in the history of Wales relating to both the medieval and modern eras. * David Stephenson, Archaeologia Cambrensis * Pryce's execution of the subject goes beyond a simple survey of texts, to draw out themes and narratives across almost a millennium and a half as well as exploring questions of context, significance, and impact. The result is a broad yet insightful overview of the subject which will be of interest and importance not just to professional Welsh historians, but to anyone interested in Welsh history, culture, and identity. * Adam Coward, Morgannwg * It goes without saying that the volume should have pride of place on the bookshelf of every Welsh historian, but Writing Welsh History also has so much to offer those interested in the historical writing of other nations... Writing Welsh History has continuity at its heart. A point that pervades the entire book is the long-lasting influence of ideas first developed in the Middle Ages for the conception of Welsh history. * Rebecca Thomas, Studia Celtica * This is a monumental book, informed by a remarkable grasp of the content of Welsh history writing over the past fifteen hundred years... Huw Pryce is exceptionally well informed not only about Welsh history writing but about history writing and its methods more widely and he brings this knowledge to bear throughout the book, with subtlety, analytical power and energy. * Wendy Davies, Peritia *