Meet The Author - Jon Gower
Cover To Cover, Swansea, SA3 4BQ
Saturday 5th December 2026 2:00PM
Jon will be popping in to chat and sign copies of his new book: The Great Book Of Wales.
Wales is a compact country that can seem larger than it is. It’s certainly packed with discoveries to be made. The Maerdy Monster, an insect new to science and Gwenllian, a forgotten warrior princess. Europe’s rarest goose and the continent’s busiest energy port. Coal tips turning green and pine martens on patrol.
The Great Book of Wales is a train adventure which really racks up the rail miles, surveying the changing land from train windows and stopping at stations galore. Cilmeri, Borth and Gilfach Fargoed. Hawarden, Manorbier and Dyfi Junction. All change.
As Transport for Wales’ writer-in-residence Jon Gower has travelled a land he loves, finding it even richer than he imagined. From Holyhead to Cardiff’s Pierhead, from the south Wales valleys to the sands of the Dee, it’s a bright quilt of landscapes filled with fascinating people who fully enrich the journey.
The Great Book of Wales. A curious traveller’s account of a very special country.
Praise for Jon Gower’s other work
‘The book equivalent of being hosted by a travelling storyteller around the fire.’ (Gwenno)
‘Contagious with delight and fascination.’ (Cynan Jones)
‘Fascinating, spellbinding, erudite and great fun.’ (Roddy Doyle)
‘Jon Gower could write about the inside of an empty box and make it a place of wonder.’ (Julie Brominicks)
Wales is a compact country that can seem larger than it is. It’s certainly packed with discoveries to be made. The Maerdy Monster, an insect new to science and Gwenllian, a forgotten warrior princess. Europe’s rarest goose and the continent’s busiest energy port. Coal tips turning green and pine martens on patrol.
The Great Book of Wales is a train adventure which really racks up the rail miles, surveying the changing land from train windows and stopping at stations galore. Cilmeri, Borth and Gilfach Fargoed. Hawarden, Manorbier and Dyfi Junction. All change.
As Transport for Wales’ writer-in-residence Jon Gower has travelled a land he loves, finding it even richer than he imagined. From Holyhead to Cardiff’s Pierhead, from the south Wales valleys to the sands of the Dee, it’s a bright quilt of landscapes filled with fascinating people who fully enrich the journey.
The Great Book of Wales. A curious traveller’s account of a very special country.
Praise for Jon Gower’s other work
‘The book equivalent of being hosted by a travelling storyteller around the fire.’ (Gwenno)
‘Contagious with delight and fascination.’ (Cynan Jones)
‘Fascinating, spellbinding, erudite and great fun.’ (Roddy Doyle)
‘Jon Gower could write about the inside of an empty box and make it a place of wonder.’ (Julie Brominicks)
Event Details
Starts at 2:00PM
