January 2006

Library of Wales series book 4

1902638832

Cwmardy and We Live paint a graphic portrait of the casual exploitation, tragedy and violence as well as the political hope and humanity of south Wales industrial workers of the 1920s and 1930s. In Cwmardy, Big Jim, collier and ex-Boer War soldier, and his partner Shân endure and overcome the impact of strikes, riots and war, while their son Len emerges as a sharp thinker and dynamic political organiser. Len’s tale is taken up in We Live, in which he is influenced by Mary, a teacher, and the Communist Party, which becomes central to his work both underground and in union politics, and to his decision to leave and fight in the Spanish Civil War.