Overview

The gripping, best-selling story of MAC and the Free Wales Army - the men who, during the 1960's, challenged England's rule in the first Welsh armed rebellion since the days of Owain Glyndŵr. New photographs and preface. First published in 1980. Fifth edition. -- Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru

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9780862435868

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Reviews

This is a welcome reissue of Roy Clewes's entertaining and passionate account of the history of the Free Wales Army and Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru. In the 1960s, for the first time since the days of Owen Glyndwr in the 1400s, Welshmen raised arms in anger against their English oppressors. In a series of serious skirmishes across Wales, the Free Wales Army sought to expel the hated conquerors to the proper side of Offa's Dyke. The most obvious targets were the reservoirs and pipelines, which were pumping Welsh water to English cities. Llyn Vyrnwy and Clywedog dams, the pipelines at Hapsford, Stourbridge, the Elan Valley and Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, were all the scenes of explosions. On the mountainsides and in the forests, the FWA postured and practised their military manoeuvres to overthrow the tyrannous system of English dominations. The peace and quietude of rural Wales was shattered by powerful explosions and the clattering of automatic weapon fire. Posterity has not been too kind to the FWA. Not only are they viewed as failures, but they are sometimes regarded as jokes. In part, the movement itself was to blame for this legacy as some of their activities have a tragi-comic aspect to them. The attempt to commandeer the Irish ferry on a return trip from a Dublin international, and sail it to Patagonia, is one such example. But despite the farcical element of some escapades, Roy Clewes presents a well-written and persuasive case that these were disciplined people dedicated to their cause. The book is written with engagement and commitment. This new edition contains a moving tribute to one of the ablest leaders of the FWA, Cayo Evans, by Dafydd Gwyn. To Dream of Freedom is a passionate account of passionate people who were willing to sacrifice all for the cause of Wales. -- Russell Davies @ www.gwales.com

This is a welcome reissue of Roy Clewes’s entertaining and passionate account of the history of the Free Wales Army and Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru. In the 1960s, for the first time since the days of Owen Glyndwr in the 1400s, Welshmen raised arms in anger against their English oppressors. In a series of serious skirmishes across Wales, the Free Wales Army sought to expel the hated conquerors to the proper side of Offa’s Dyke. The most obvious targets were the reservoirs and pipelines, which were pumping Welsh water to English cities. Llyn Vyrnwy and Clywedog dams, the pipelines at Hapsford, Stourbridge, the Elan Valley and Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, were all the scenes of explosions. On the mountainsides and in the forests, the FWA postured and practised their military manoeuvres to overthrow the tyrannous system of English dominations. The peace and quietude of rural Wales was shattered by powerful explosions and the clattering of automatic weapon fire. Posterity has not been too kind to the FWA. Not only are they viewed as failures, but they are sometimes regarded as jokes. In part, the movement itself was to blame for this legacy as some of their activities have a tragi-comic aspect to them. The attempt to commandeer the Irish ferry on a return trip from a Dublin international, and sail it to Patagonia, is one such example. But despite the farcical element of some escapades, Roy Clewes presents a well-written and persuasive case that these were disciplined people dedicated to their cause. The book is written with engagement and commitment. This new edition contains a moving tribute to one of the ablest leaders of the FWA, Cayo Evans, by Dafydd Gwyn. To Dream of Freedom is a passionate account of passionate people who were willing to sacrifice all for the cause of Wales. -- Russell Davies @ www.gwales.com

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