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Welcome to my blog, where I share my fascination with the history of Swansea and Gower, reflections on the art of writing historical fiction, and recommendations for novels that bring the past vividly to life.
Whether you’re drawn by the region’s industrial heritage, curious about the creative process behind historical storytelling, or simply looking for your next great read, I hope you’ll find something here to inspire you.
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In the middle of the 19th century, nine-tenths of the world’s copper was smelted in Swansea. How did this come about, and why was the copper trade such a powerful force for the industrial development of Swansea and its rural hinterland Gower?
In the 1700s, copper was the preferred...
Even today, sailors consider Cape Horn the Everest of sailing. “The ocean is always trying to kill you” is the famous quote from Maiden skipper Tracey Edwards. How much more intimidating was it back in the 19th century with a square rigger, limited provisions and nobody to rescue you?
Yet hundreds of...
What role did women play in the economy, family and community in the second half of the nineteenth century in Swansea and Gower?
Under common law, on marriage, a woman’s assets went to her husband. However, widows who remained unmarried could hold assets in their own right,...
Copper built industrial Swansea in the nineteenth century, and powered economic opportunities for smelters, shipowners and many workers. How did the industry work, who made money, and what were the impacts of the trade on the local community?
One tonne of ore takes several tonnes of coal to smelt, so...
The Land in Winter is one of my top ten historical novels for 2025. Here’s the full review, with one section for readers deciding what to read next, and a more technical section for writers looking for comparison titles or inspiration.
The headline: A doctor, a farmer plus their expectant wives are ...