Russell Davies was formerly Head of Marketing at Aberystwyth University; he is the author of Secret Sins: Sex, Violence and Society in Carmarthenshire 1870–1920 and Hope and Heartbreak: A Social History of Wales and the Welsh 1776–1870.

• ContentsPrologue: Sources for a ‘sullen art’Introduction: Private Lives: the individual and society1 The structures of everyday life: endurance and endeavour2 ‘Lead us into temptation’: consumerism, creativity and change3 ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’: Ambition, Aspirations and Education.4 ‘Ffair Wagedd’ - Vanity Fair: people, class and hierarchy5 Hiraeth and Heartbreak - Wales and the World: curiosity, boldness and zest6 ‘The Blood never dried’ - the Welsh in Empire: envy, greed and zeal7 Ha! Ha! among the trumpets - a century of warfare : cowardice, courage and hatred8 ‘Once more into the breach’: Wales and the Welsh go to war, again’: fear, terror and tragedyL’Heure Bleue (The Blue Hour): a brief conclusionNotes

Russell Davies was formerly Head of Marketing at Aberystwyth University; he is the author of Secret Sins: Sex, Violence and Society in Carmarthenshire 1870–1920 and Hope and Heartbreak: A Social History of Wales and the Welsh 1776–1870.

• ContentsPrologue: Sources for a ‘sullen art’Introduction: Private Lives: the individual and society1 The structures of everyday life: endurance and endeavour2 ‘Lead us into temptation’: consumerism, creativity and change3 ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’: Ambition, Aspirations and Education.4 ‘Ffair Wagedd’ - Vanity Fair: people, class and hierarchy5 Hiraeth and Heartbreak - Wales and the World: curiosity, boldness and zest6 ‘The Blood never dried’ - the Welsh in Empire: envy, greed and zeal7 Ha! Ha! among the trumpets - a century of warfare : cowardice, courage and hatred8 ‘Once more into the breach’: Wales and the Welsh go to war, again’: fear, terror and tragedyL’Heure Bleue (The Blue Hour): a brief conclusionNotes