Overview

The autobiography of Glyn Mathias, the political editor of ITN News (1981-86) and of BBC Wales (1994-99) in the run-up to the referendum in 1997.

Full Product Details

9781847718204

Table of Contents

Reviews

Glyn Mathias is among the last of his breed. I have always believed that any proper journalist should have spent at least a year or two working on a local or provincial newspaper. Without such a qualification, no hacks CV can be complete. Mathias broke his journalistic teeth on the South Wales Echo before rising to the dizzy heights of working as Political Editor for ITN and the BBC. The result is a fascinating insight into political intrigues, from the Falklands conflict to the formation of the Welsh National Assembly. Mathiass story, both moving and humorous, is one of contrasts. From the very beginning, as a developing youth he was caught between the beliefs of a grandfather who was a minister of religion and army chaplain, and his poet father, who did time as a conscientious objector. Mathias is a chip off both blocks, believing in the need to fight the war against Hitler but against such conflicts as the Suez crisis and the more recent invasion of Iraq. And I cant fault him on either stance. Mathias had a privileged education, not because it was at Llandovery College but because his Welsh and rugby teacher was the late great Carwyn James. I particularly enjoyed his account of his early stint of journalism with the Echo. There, he realised that a university degree would not be adequate for working on a local newspaper. He started in 1967, at the exact time I started working as Welsh correspondent for the Cambrian News. There the comparison ends. His weekly wage was 84 1s 4d while my first weeks wage was 50 less! Raising an Echo reveals details of various major events Mathias was involved in covering. The Aberfan Fund scandal and George Thomass involvement is rightly resurrected. His stint as Merthyr correspondent brought him into contact with legends like Harri Webb and S. O. Davies, both of them among the last true Welsh socialists. The investiture is given an airing, as well as the order from above to spike Gwynfor Evanss accusation that exploding bombs in Wales and elsewhere was the work of Whitehall agents provocateurs. Mathiass journalistic path climbs ever higher, reaching ITN at Westminster and the BBC in Cardiff, and subsequently his appointment as an Electoral Commissioner. It is all here, thoroughly fascinating, revealing and honest. It is, indeed, a fearless and resonating echo. Lyn Ebenezer It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available