Tag: books

Robert Tressell

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Robert Tressell was born Robert Noonan in 1870 in Dublin, Ireland. He moved to England with his family during his childhood. His father was a military man, and Tressell grew up in a working-class environment, influencing his later views on labor and politics. Tressell trained as a painter and decorator, a trade that exposed him to the hardships of the working class. His experiences in the workforce deeply informed his writing, as he witnessed firsthand the exploitation and struggles of laborers. Tressell was influenced by the socialist movements of his time, particularly ideas related to workers’ rights and social justice. His political beliefs shaped his worldview and became central themes in his writing.

“The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists” The novel follows a group of painters and decorators in the fictional town of Mugsborough. The protagonist, Frank Owen, engages in discussions about socialism and the exploitation of workers. Through a series of events, the book explores themes of class struggle, the nature of work, and the illusion of charity. Tressell critiques the capitalist system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the working class. The novel emphasizes the need for workers to recognize their shared struggles and unite for better conditions. Tressell challenges the notion that charity alone can solve systemic issues, advocating instead for structural change. Tressell’s writing is characterized by its vivid descriptions, humour, and deep empathy for his characters. He employs a mix of narrative and dialogue to bring his ideas to life. “The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists” was published after Tressell’s death in 1914, having been completed in 1910. Several publishers initially rejected it, but it gained recognition over time, becoming a seminal work in socialist literature.

The novel has inspired various adaptations and remains a key text in discussions of labour rights, socialism, and working-class literature. It is often included in educational syllabi and has influenced generations of writers and activists. Tressell’s work is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of social issues and continues to resonate with contemporary discussions about inequality and workers’ rights. Robert Tressell’s life and work offer a poignant insight into the struggles of the working class during the early 20th century. His legacy endures through his compelling narrative that combines social critique with a call for solidarity among workers.

Lewis Carroll

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Lewis Carroll was born on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England. He attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he excelled in mathematics and earned a first-class degree. He later became a lecturer in mathematics at the same institution.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Published in 1865, this tale follows a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with peculiar creatures and nonsensical events. The book is notable for its playful use of language, memorable characters (like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter), and exploration of themes such as identity and absurdity.

Through the Looking-Glass: The sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” published in 1871, continues Alice’s adventures in a world that operates under different rules, introducing new characters like the Red Queen and the White Queen. It features a chess-themed structure and plays with concepts of time and reality.


The Hunting of the Snark: This is a narrative poem published in 1876, which tells the story of a bizarre crew on a quest to find the Snark, a creature that may or may not exist. The poem exemplifies Carroll’s interest in nonsense literature and absurdity.

Sylvie and Bruno: Published in 1889, this two-volume work combines fairy tale elements and social commentary, exploring themes of love, morality, and the intersection of fantasy and reality.

Mathematical Contributions
Carroll was also a serious mathematician. He published several mathematical works, including:
– The Principles of Parliamentary Representation: Discussing voting systems and their implications.
– Logic and Symbolic Logic: He contributed to formal logic, exploring how symbols can represent logical statements.

Carroll was an avid photographer known for his portraits of children, including the famous Alice Liddell, who inspired his most famous works. His style was innovative, and he often experimented with different techniques. Lewis Carroll’s influence extends beyond literature. His works have inspired countless adaptations in various media, including film, theatre, and art. His unique blend of fantasy and logic continues to captivate audiences, and he is celebrated as a pioneer of children’s literature and nonsense poetry.
Carroll remained a lifelong bachelor and had a complex relationship with children, particularly girls, which has been the subject of much speculation. His friendships with children like Alice Liddell have sparked discussions about the nature of his relationships. However, many scholars argue that his affection was innocent and rooted in a love for storytelling. Carroll’s imaginative worlds and playful language have left a lasting mark on literature, making him one of the most beloved authors in English literature. 

Carl Sagan

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Carl Sagan was an influential American astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator, best known for his work in popularizing science and making complex concepts accessible to the public. Born on November 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, Sagan developed an early interest in astronomy inspired by a visit to the 1939 New York World’s Fair. He earned his doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago in 1960. Sagan contributed significantly to our understanding of planetary science, particularly in studying Mars and the greenhouse effect on Venus. He played a crucial role in several NASA missions, including the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo missions, helping to design experiments and analyze data.

Sagan was also a prolific writer, authoring or co-authoring more than 20 books, including the best-selling “Cosmos,” which accompanied the acclaimed television series of the same name. The series aired in 1980 and is credited with inspiring a generation to take an interest in science and space exploration. In addition to his scientific achievements, Sagan was a passionate advocate for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and was involved in various initiatives to promote scientific literacy. He co-founded the Planetary Society, an organization dedicated to advancing space exploration.

Sagan received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Pulitzer Prize for his book “The Dragons of Eden.” He passed away on December 20, 1996, but his legacy continues through his contributions to science and his impact on popular culture. His ability to communicate the wonders of the universe continues to inspire scientists and enthusiasts worldwide. 

Geoffrey Hinton

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Geoffrey Hinton is a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning. Born on July 6, 1947, in Wimbledon, London, he pursued his education at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a degree in experimental psychology. He later completed his PhD in artificial intelligence at the University of Edinburgh.

Hinton is best known for his pioneering work in neural networks, especially in the development of backpropagation, a key algorithm used for training deep learning models. His research laid the groundwork for many modern AI applications. In 2006, he co-authored a seminal paper that reignited interest in deep learning, leading to breakthroughs in various domains, including computer vision and natural language processing.

Throughout his career, Hinton has held positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Toronto and Google. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to AI, including being named a Fellow of the Royal Society and receiving the Turing Award in 2018, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.”

In recent years, Hinton has also voiced concerns about the ethical implications of AI and has advocated for responsible AI development. His work continues to influence the trajectory of AI research and applications globally. 

YSTRADGYNLAIS CREATIVE WRITING GROUP – FESTIVE TALES TOUR

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It is an absolute pleasure and most satisfying to facilitate this diverse group of writers. Some members have never written stories since school. The group has been running for three years and is based at Ystradgynlais Library. The membership, aged 23 to 83, is diverse, and we pride ourselves on inclusivity. In 2023, we published the first ‘Anthology of Collected Stories – 500 Words’ https://amzn.eu/d/7Nu5xQF and look forward to publishing Volume 2 in early 2025. The National Lottery Community Fund supported the group with a Development Grant in the summer of this year. The award was presented by Carole Morgan Hopkin, artist, author and poet.

A Creative Writing competition for all ages helped to increase interest in story-telling, and there is yet another in the wings. Guest authors drop in every six weeks and share their journey as writers, and we visited the Hay Literature Festival this year.

And so we ended this year with a Festive Tales Tour and had the honour of performing the group’s work at the Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre and in the ancient 6th Century Llangwig Church. The tour began for a home audience at Ystradgynlais Library.

Ystradgynlais Creative Writing Group Festive Tales Tour – Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Grateful Thanks to:

Ystradgynlais Library, Powys County Council, National Lottery Community Fund, Oystermouth Radio, Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor Centre, Llangwig Trust, Carole Morgan Hopkin. Jo Paine (Chairperson), Paul Rees (Secretary), Mark Hopton, Emily Northey, Jode Pegge-Jones, Tony Pegge-Jones, Pam Moon, Jayden Trott, Ruth Peace, Sentient Coven and Laura Price.

Facilitator – Lazarus Carpenter