Suggested further reading on Gower
This list is by no means a complete bibliography of Gower. I have concentrated on works of direct importance to geology and natural history. Sadly, many of the books listed are no longer in print.
- Bassett, D.A. & Bassett, M.G. 1971 Geological excursions in South Wales and the Forest of Dean. The Geologists' Association, S.Wales Group. 267pp
- Bridges, E.M., 1997 Classic landforms of the Gower Coast Geographical Association and the British Geomorphological Research Group ISBN 1 899085 50 5 48pp
- George, T.N. 1940 The Structure of Gower. Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London, v.96, pp. 131-198.
- Gilham, M.E. 1977 The Natural History of Gower. D.Brown & Sons. 335pp
- Grenfell, H. & Morris, B. The Caves of Gower. The Gower Society. 16pp.
- Owen, T.R. 1973 Geology Explained in South Wales. David & Charles, 211pp
- Owen, T.R. & Rhodes, F.H.T. 1969 Geology around the University Towns: Swansea. South Wales Geologists' Association Guide, No 17. 45pp
- Thomas, J.Mansel 1982 Yesterday's Gower. Gomer Press, 234pp
- Thomas, J.Mansel et. al. (2nd Edn. 1999) A Guide to Gower. Gower Society, 115pp
- Vaughan-Thomas, W. 1976 Portrait of Gower R. Hale, London 202pp
Acknowledgements
The most common cause of unnatural death among geologists would appear to be road accidents. I would therefore like to thank the young gentleman who once rammed and wrote off my car just outside Northop, Clwyd, for not killing me in the process.
This event occurred the day after I learned the joyous news that my services were no longer required by the oil industry. Thus, in the perfect end to a perfect week, was I released from care and granted the freedom to sit in bed for a month or so, typewriter on lap, writing this guide (which was originally a book).
In recasting it for the Geological Society’s Web Site, I am conscious of standing on the shoulders of giants. I must therefore acknowledge my debt to those who first instructed me in the geology of Gower - all of whom are now, alas, no longer with us.
The late Professor T. Richard (Dick) Owen (picture) was my tutor at University College Swansea, my main geological mentor and an unrivalled expert on Welsh regional geology. Dick critically read and commented on this text shortly before his death.
I should also like to thank the late Mr John Rees, dedicatee of my second published book and another Dick Owen student. He taught me geology in Dynevor Grammar School, Swansea. Lastly, to the late Professor Derek Ager, (a worthy successor to great Gower boy Prof. T. Neville George) I owe a debt of gratitude I can never repay. Dr Mike Sims (National Museums Northern Ireland) has helped with updating certain passages on karstic erosion and cafe formation, since the guide was first published.
Others - happily still very much in the land of the living - have also read and criticised this guide. I extend my thanks to them all, but especially to my one-time co-supervisor, Prof. Mike Bassett (National Museum of Wales), and Dr Mike Bridges (University of Swansea) - to whose excellent guide on Gower landforms and Quaternary deposits I refer any reader who is impatient with the gaps left by my almost exclusively "solid geology" approach.
Finally my thanks, and those of all who love Gower, must also go to the Gower Society for their pioneering and unceasing efforts to preserve this small portion of our rural heritage - the UK's very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). I am proud to count myself a Gower Society member for the last (nearly) 45 years.
As I write this, on a dull Saturday morning in North London, I regret that I am unable to join the Society's members on their bracing walk from Port Eynon to Rhosili later today. But I remain with them in spirit.