The French Letter King

Tommy Horton arrived in Merthyr Tydfil in 1900, from the pit village of Sengenydd, determined to make his fortune. He became a costermonger, ventured into scrap metal and pawn broking; spent time in jail; started a boxing stable; bought a football club and, his greatest achievement, opened a rubber factory to make "French letters" Tom led a colourful life, which was reflected in both professional and personal milieux. He suffered personal tragedy and brought up his only son Ron, developing a volatile love/ hate relationship with him. This tumultuous story takes place against the background of two world wars and the immense social changes in the South Wales Valleys.