It is a strange story and one that has been told elsewhere rather more fully than Gerald McMillan was able to in 1954 I think, but the book - stamped ‘Dowlais Library’ has been sitting on the windowsill in our Assembly office for as long as I’ve worked there and curiosity finally got the better of me. Maundy … More ‘Honours for Sale: The Strange Story of Maundy Gregory’ by Gerald McMillan
If you have the slightest interest in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, this book is essential reading. It explains how the coalition came about (and how much secret preparation had been made in the run-up to the 2010 election despite public disavowals) and how it continued to exist despite some severe internal and external … More ‘In It Together’ by Matthew D’Ancona
My review of Peter Hain’s book ‘Ad and Wal’ is in the latest edition of Wales Arts Review. You can read it here and my interview with the author here. While you’re there have a look at the rest of the goodies on offer; there are plenty of them.
If you’ve ever read the Mid Wife Crisis blog you’ll know what to expect from this book because it’s based on that blog although it’s much more than a collection of unconnected posts. One of the things the blog did well was present this story as if it were happening in real time. Events were … More ‘Diary of an Unsmug Married’ by Polly James
I recently re-read Patrick Hannan’s ‘Wales Off Message’. Published in 2000 the events and misadventures in Welsh politics it recounts are all familiar to me although he always managed to find a new angle from which to view those events or a undiscovered nugget of fascination, such as Rhodri Morgan’s unprecedented tidying of his sock … More Patrick Hannan, ‘Wales Off Message’
Robert Shepherd’s ‘Westminster: a Biography’ covers the whole lifespan of the marshy island which became the centre of power and government in Britain. For me, Westminster has become a workplace and I often forget the history behind the buildings which have shaped the form of government operating in Britain. As a result of this book, … More Groom of the Stool: Robert Shepherd, ‘Westminster: A Biography’
Caerleon is an interesting little village on the outskirts of Newport in South Wales. It’s steeped in history and stories wrap themselves around it from Arthurian legend to another type of Arthur, Arthur Machen who was born here and drew inspiration from the countryside. It also has a vibrant Arts Festival which celebrated its tenth … More Caerleon Arts Festival: Author’s Day
Bobby Friedman’s book is for anyone who could do with understanding the man who, against the odds, now sits at the heart of British parliamentary democracy. Most of us know that John Bercow has been on a political journey, but this maps that journey for the first time. While occasionally it seems too light that means … More Bercow - Mr Speaker by Bobby Friedman
A bit more about Chinua Achebe. I followed straight on from ‘A Man of the People’ to ‘Anthills of the Savannah’, in which after a twenty-year break from writing novels, Achebe returned to the same questions of power and government but with an altogether more profound vision of what it means to be human. He … More Achebe: ‘whatever you are is never enough’
Paul Flynn’s autobiography the Unusual Suspect has already generated headlines and controversy and even an Early Day Motion. All good publicity I’m sure, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it is, as you’d expect, a good read. And away from the newsy bits, there are plenty of interesting titbits. For instance, I didn’t … More The Unusual Suspect
Adrian Masters 