Welsh Academic Press – serie

The first published history of the Scottish National Party, this highly acclaimed study reveals the inside story of the SNP's political, philosophical and electoral development from its foundation in 1934, to governing Scotland from 2007 and leading the country into the 2014 independence referendum.Comprehensively researched using internal party documents, newspaper archives, the private papers of key figures and extensive interviews with party insiders, SNP - The History of the Scottish National Party is essential reading for all with an interest in the political history of Scotland.

Regarded as a classic text amongst teachers of adults and those working with adult groups in a variety of professional and adult community settings, "Adult Learning, Adult Teaching" has now been enlarged, updated and thoroughly revised for this fourth edition. This new fourth edition retains the direct and practical approach that has proved so successful with thousands of practitioners and contains additional chapters on: learning styles; equal opportunities; self-presentation; difficult students and 'reluctant attenders'; practical planning; attendance and drop-out; the observation of teaching and learning; guidance, progression and 'what next'; a real student's experiences of adult education with a matched critique addressed to her tutor.

Written between 1300 and 1350, The Saga of Hávarður of Ísafjörður is ninth-century Icelandic tale of conflict over sheep and stranded whales, magic and ghosts, seduction, murder, torture and revenge.Hávarður is an old man, a great Viking in his time but now past his prime, whose son Ólafur is killed by Þormóður, a local chieftain. The death of Hávarður’s son sets the scene for a  compelling narrative of revenge killings, lawsuits and settlements, which - through the saga’s structure and its picturesque details - provides a fascinating insight to the political  economy and social order of medieval Iceland.The first English translation of the saga since 1906, and the  only one to remain faithful to the original text, Paul and Dorothy Durrenburger’s masterful study not only preserves the integrity of the saga as a cultural artifact, but their definitive  introduction  and notes provide the scholarly context and anthropological perspective that are essential to acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the saga and medieval Icelandic society.

Essential reading for all those with an interest in contemporary Scotland, this is the first study of Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978) by a political historian and provides a unique contribution to the understanding of MacDiarmid's politics.Bob Purdie's groundbreaking study outlines why MacDiarmid, the most important literary figure of twentieth-century Scotland, believed that the Scottish culture of his day was making the nation satisfied with its subordinate status within the UK, and why he strove for a self-reliant and independent European nation.Purdie explains why MacDiarmid was a man in constant revolt, against what he viewed as a stiflingly narrow Scottish culture, against all that was provincial and philistine in Scottish society and against Scotland's dependency on England.

For over 100 years the Labour Party dominated Welsh politics and Welsh society. For a century, this absolute power resulted in many acknowledging that their career progression, particularly in the public sector, and any hopes for advancement in electoral politics, depended on their membership of and loyalty to the Labour Party.In election after election, Labour won the majority of Westminster seats and controlled local government with a vice-like grip which led to Wales being described as a One-Party State. The Labour hegemony continued after devolution in 1999, with Labour-led governments in continuous power and their tight grip on Welsh  politics appearing  unassailable, until now.Undoubtedly one of the most important books on Welsh political history, the highly acclaimed journalist and author Martin Shipton, investigates the truth behind Labour’s One-Party State, reveals and considers the evidence of its corruption, nepotism and cronyism, and assesses Labour’s legacy on Welsh society - famously described as  The Land of the Pulled-Punch.Comprehensively researched, including numerous interviews with leading political figures including Labour insiders (both named and anonymous), One-Party State, is essential reading for all with an  interest in Welsh history and politics, and the consequences of  absolute power.

A 10th century skaldic poem composed by Þjóðólfr of Hvinir (c.885-920), the Haustlǫng (Old Norse: Autumn Long) praises Þorleif inn Spakka for the gift of a painted shield. Describing mythological scenes painted on the shield, the poem tells the story of kidnapping of Iðunn by the giant Þjazi and her rescue by Loki, alongside the story of Thor's slaying of Hrungnir.In his extensive Introduction, North examines the poem’s style and genre, the life of the poet, the transmission and preservation of the text in Norway and Iceland over two centuries, and Snorri Sturluson’s treatise on Norse poetry known as the Prose Edda. Placing the poem firmly in the geographical and cultural context of 10th century Norway, North outlines his theory that Haustlǫng is a ‘northern pastoral’ rather than a traditional ‘shield’ poem.The poem is presented with a facing-page English translation that includes thorough footnotes explaining textual variants, while the comprehensive stanza-by-stanza and line-by-line Commentary is followed by a detailed Glossary to provide an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Old Norse language, literature and culture.

The first comprehensive account of the 'Fire' at Penyberth in English.

Essential reading for all those with an interest in contemporary Scotland, this is the first study of Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978) by a political historian and provides a unique contribution to the understanding of MacDiarmid's politics. With the Scottish Independence referendum due in 2014, this very timely study outlines why MacDiarmid, the most important literary figure of twentieth century Scotland, believed that the Scottish culture of his day was making the nation satisfied with its subordinate status within the UK, and why he strove for a self-reliant and independent European nation. In this book Bob Purdie explains why MacDiarmid was a man in constant revolt, against what he viewed as a stiflingly narrow Scottish culture, against all that was provincial and philistine in Scottish society and against Scotland's dependency on England.