When Was Wales? is a 1985 book on the history of Wales by Professor Gwyn A. Williams, a Welsh historian and political activist. About The book is described as his perhaps most influential work. Williams suggests in the book that the Welsh nation has been shaped by a series of conflicts, splits and ruptures. A memorable quote of the book is a nation that has “survived in crisis”. The book suggests that Wales has developed some form of collective amnesia, “Half-memories, folklore … fantasy are rampant. We are a people with plenty of traditions but no historical memory.” The review suggests that if Williams were alive today, he would be impressed to see the spectacle of a Wales national football team match of a socially progressive bilingual community. In the book is described as potentially Williams' best book which is part of the wider movement of increased interest in Welsh history, and is of personal interest to Williams. His former mentee, Professor James Walvin says, “I think ‘When was Wales’ is one of the brilliant books of that generation of writing by historians". The book was published during the same year that Williams co-presented ‘The Dragon Has Two Tongues", launching his television career. The director of the series Colin Thomas recalls, “I had tried to get Gwyn and Wynford to do a joint book to coincide with the programme, but they wouldn’t have it. They both wrote books on Welsh history. At the end of filming, Gwyn gave a signed copy of his book ‘When was Wales?’ to Wynford. He had written in it ‘to my beloved enemy’ (laughs)." See also A History of Wales (book) History Grounded References History books about Wales 1985 non-fiction books