The Wraiths of Raglan Wood

Gigantic Hounds entombed within the castle wall were intended to protect the occupants from Evil.

The residents could never know that Hounds from Hell might ever rise to vent an ancient fury.

Within the glens of nearby Raglan Wood lurked a fanged and horrific vengeance.

In a region where humankind had only recently dared to loose the latch and brave a glimpse inside, the unknown might well rule supreme.

Tales of demons, portals to the underworld, and ghouls sired from the forest spirits themselves to thwart the hand of man regularly resonated around the lonely hearths of Monmouthshire and echoed down the dimly lighted passageways of the scattered, isolated manors.

Only the foolhardy naively dismiss the unknown as harmless - only the ignorant dare assume the darkness lingering on light's periphery might ever remain entirely void of malevolence and malice.

Enthusiastic admirers of author W. B. Baker would agree that not including this Cardiff University writer in any anthology of Welsh or British authors would be amiss. His novels exhibit extraordinary talent in not only creating breathtaking imagery and overwhelming historical accuracy, but repeatedly confirm a stunning ability to reveal Britain's collective integrity. Drawing attention to a rich and often overlooked history of Monmouthshire and Glamorgan, Baker has become a formidable advocate of Wales and of English literature.

- Carol Daniels

Kansas City, Missouri USA

'The Wraiths Of Raglan Wood is really rather brilliant - revealing once more the very finest from this particularly competent British writer.

Yet again, this Award-Winning Author demonstrates expertise in creating evocative word pictures - along with the uncanny skill to portray the most heroic and loathsome qualities in us all.?

- Brigitte Watkins

Nottingham, England

Britain has long been the home of fantastic tales and W. B. Baker once more shows his astonishing prowess as a writer with this, his latest novel. A thrilling and often spectacular combination of poetry and prose, The Wraiths Of Raglan Wood features explosive scenes of violence and emotion, stunning narrative with breathtaking imagery, and overwhelming historical accuracy. Like no other author of contemporary fiction, Baker asserts his extraordinary faculty of creating evocative word pictures, along with an uncanny aptitude to encapsulate the most heroic and loathsome qualities of the human spirit.

Some critics may argue that Baker's writing may not be worthy of prolonged superlatives or comparisons with the very greatest of British authors: his plots lack the dexterity we see from some; his characters, the depth and range we have come to expect from others. All the same . . . Time and time again, W. B. Baker repeatedly demonstrates a stunning talent to reveal England's collective integrity.

His novels dominate historical fiction with the writer's impartial portrayal of our imperfections and consummate greatness. Perhaps that is exactly what we, as a nation, desperately need from time to time - a writer unafraid to whip away the froth of romanticism and expose our all too often base human nature.

- Critique in Review

Aldershot, Wokingham

At long last, a novelist has arrived with the wit and aptitude to justly claim the throne of allegory left vacant for so long.

- Windsor, Berkshire, England

Once or twice within one's lifetime an author comes along who actually manages to unfurl and advance the banner of genuine Literature: to reclaim the soul of Britain in the name of something far grander than simple prose.

- St. Ives, Cambridgeshire

"W. B. Baker's latest novel ... may quite simply be the finest compilation of poetry and prose that Britain has witnessed in the past half century."

- Kensington Road, London

Not shoddy sentimentality but honest sentiment, this account set during the Second Crusade tells the heroic tale of men and women who may, through the savagery of conflict, abandon religion but never their faith: who might mislay their cause but, by no means, their conscience.

- Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Resplendent evidence that the glory of the British Empire continues to beat within our collective breast: a testament to the unrivalled majesty of the English language the world has, sadly, witnessed all too infrequently of late.

- Covent Garden, Westminster

A Magnificent Re-emergence of English Literature For the 21st Century

W. B. Baker has done more through his writing to promote Wales around the world than anyone in recent memory. Stunning imagery and the ability to convey the warmth of Welsh culture combine with historical accuracy to bring Wales its finest champion since Dylan Thomas.

- BBC Hall of Fame
Southwest Wales

The British People at Their Finest and Most Magnificent

Shamelessly brutal in his examination of the human heart, W. B. Baker presents Britain a stunning masterpiece of fiction. The Ravenous is Baker's tour de force; the author using his considerable command of the English language to weave a majestic tale of valour and faith.

- Tottenham Court Road
London, England

A disturbing indictment of human frailty ... An even more glorius assertion of man?s innate nobility

Couched inconspicuously within this modern epic of Wales lie affirmations of the true majesty of humankind . . . Within this moving tale, valiant men and women emerge from the mire of war to exemplify the inextinguishable courage of this nation we call home.

- Pwllypant
Caerphilly, Wales

REVIEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

David McAlister in Kansas City, Missouri

I feel that Dr. Baker is not only a very gifted author, he is also one of the most interesting and compassionate individuals it has been my good fortune to call friend.

Mitchell in New York, New York

Great to see people talking about this author!

GREAT BATTLE SCENES and some of the best poetry I?ve come across in years.

Gillian in Edinburgh, Scotland

WHSmith now offers THE RAVENOUS and several of his other books! I couldn?t find them at several bookstores, but they are all available on the internet.

REALLY Brilliant writing!

Some of the best British storytelling out there!

Geoffrey Crawley from London, England

An extremely competent writer who has combined engrossing historical fiction with, undoubtedly, the finest iambic pentametre verse England has seen in the last hundred years.

W. B. Baker supports a finely woven tapestry of British history with powerful questions of morality that withstand not only the closest literary scrutiny; but compel each reader to examine one's own perception of society and belief. How refreshing to find an author who has not bowed to con