Product Description

Grav. The very name is one of tears and smiles. Was there ever a figure of national standing as beloved of his people as Ray Gravell? Was there ever a Welshman who loved his people more than the gentle giant from Mynyddygarreg? But Ray was also a man who loved words. And it is his own words that you will hear in this autobiographical volume, a volume that was well underway before his untimely death in October 2007. The first part of this book features selected translations from Grav, published in Welsh in 1986, whilst the second includes highlights of his writing and broadcasting since then - all carefully chosen and edited by one of his many friends, Alun Wyn Bevan. There was only one Grav. But that character contained several Gravs: Grav the rugby player; Grav the broadcaster; Grav the Welshman - but, above all, the grass-roots Grav, his family's Grav. And this book brings all these elements together. A percentage of this book's income will be donated to the Ray Gravell & Friends Charitable Trust.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9004 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-21
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 196 pages

About the Author
Alun Wyn Bevan is a sports fanatic. He came to prominence as a headteacher and a highly-respected first-class referee, before forging a new and successful career for himself in the Welsh and English-language media. A knowledgeable and ebullient commentator, an enthusiastic presenter, he is a regular contributor on S4C and BBC Radio. And in this capacity, whether on tour or in the commentary box, he worked closely with Ray Gravell for many years. He is also highly regarded as a sports author, with his Stradey Stories (Gomer, 2005) and St Helen's Stories (Gomer, 2007) proving favourites with sports fans in Wales and further afield. He is originally from Brynaman but now lives in Neath.

Customer Reviews

Christmas gift
This book was bought as a Christmas present for a rugby fan. He has thoroughly enjoyed reading Grav's own words and Alun Wyn Bevan's skilful editing. And, yes, I've had a sneaky look at it too. It's full of excellent full-colour photographs. It captures this giant of a man and the many and varied aspects of his life- as well as the obvious on the rugby field we learn of his love for his family, his beloved Mynyddy Garreg home, acting, broadcasting and his passion for all things Welsh including the language for which he was a great advocate and ambassador.

Sport Book
Fantastic book for rugby lovers or a people person who love a hero , as he was a gentle hero.Well written , couldn't put it down,

Grav
Bought this book as he man is an icon - and this form a Scot! The bok is an enjoyable read but tinged with the sadnes that you get the impression (rightly or wrongly) that it was all written during the time of hs illness near the end ................... No matter but not unsrprisingly is tinged with a little sadness throughout. Surprising lack of reference to his 1st wife (diff to figure out if she existed at all!) and also no "final" chapter about the sad end - but I suppose this was written by Grav so maybe the publishers did not want to include words from beyond the grave. The mans love of Wales comes through strong though as an avid rugby fan was a bit light on games , oppenents, amusing incidents etc as per most sporting reads. Still I suppse this empahsises his uniqueness and that Ray seems a very modest man about his playing acheivements - but a good read to get an insight into the man - but not much really on the game.