North Wales Miners: A Fragile Unity, 1945-1996 (Studies in Welsh History)

Labour History Review
"Thoroughly researched, consistently authoritative and highly readable."

History
"[E]xtremely well researched . . . an outstanding work, which it is hard to imagine will be superseded for many years."

Welsh History Review
"[A] major contribution to its subject and, more broadly, to Welsh history and it deserves a very wide readership."

Book Description
Oral history and archival sources are used to provide a groundbreaking account of social, political, and industrial change in postwar Wales. Examined is the period between the nationalization of the coal industry in 1947 and its privatization in 1994. Through a detailed study of groups, individuals, and communities, the complex nature of work and politics during a period of momentous change in the British coalfield history is demonstrated. Particular attention is given to the politics of the National Union of Mineworkers, the role of the Labour Party, and the impact of pit closures on miners and their localities.

About the Author
Keith Gildart is a research fellow in politics at the University of York and an editor of the Dictionary of Labour Biography. He was formerly a North Wales miner.


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"The inter-relationship of coal, community and politics is central to the history of modern Wales and, for many, the south Wales valleys symbolize the culture of coalfield communities. North Wales Minors: A Fragile Unity, 1945-1996 offers a new insight into mining history. It moves away from the industrial south and examines the recent history of the north Wales coalfield and its place in working-class history." Keith Gildart concentrates on the period between the nationalization of the coal industry in 1947 and its privatization in 1994 and, through a detailed study of groups, individuals and communities, demonstrates the complex nature of work and politics during a period of momentous change in British coalfield history. He pays particular attention to the politics of the National Union of Mineworkers, the role of the Labour Party, and the impact of pit closures on miners and their localities. North Wales Miners combines oral history and archival sources to provide a ground-breaking account of social, political and industrial change in post-war Wales.


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