It's history with the nasty bits left in. Want to know: Why Druids split humans in half? How the Normans outwitted the Welsh with a lump of ham? How an army of Welsh mums fought off the French once and for all? Discover the dreadful deeds that make the history of Wales so horrible - all the gore and more. Play Audio

Dyma lyfr hanes, gyda phob manylyn cas wedi'i gynnwys. Hoffech chi wybod pam roedd y Derwyddon wedi hollti dynion yn eu hanner? Sut y twyllodd y Normaniaid y Cymry gyda darn o gig moch? Sut y llwyddodd byddin o famau o Gymru i guro'r Ffrancwyr unwaith ac am byth? Cewch ddysgu hyn a llawer mwy yn y gyfrol hon! Clip Sain

‘Imagine a country where the trees drip with human blood.’ A country of dragons, killer squirrels and a surprising number of beheadings. Yes, Terry Deary, the joyously bloodthirsty genius behind the Horrible Histories series – ‘history with the nasty bits left in’ – has turned his attention to Wales.

He recounts Welsh history from the Ancient Celts and the story of Branwen in the Mabinogion through to the Rebecca Rioters (with a cheeringly positive postscript on the potential of the Welsh Assembly). It’s a marvellous book for children and adults, and I found the sections where I knew little of the history and the ones where I already knew the facts equally interesting. They are all brought to life by Martin Brown’s excellent illustrations. I particularly liked Vortigern’s diary of building the castle at Dinas Emrys, the tourist being shown where Gruffydd was kept prisoner in the Tower of London, and the retelling of how Jemima Nicholas and other Pembrokeshire women defeated the French invasion in 1797.

I don’t know how Terry Deary maintains his energy and enthusiasm over so many Horrid Histories, but am very glad he does. I’d recommend this book to everyone, as great entertainment and as a solid introduction to Welsh history. Marvellous.

Janet Thomas

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.