Alex Williams has achieved that rare accolade of a painter whose commercial success has not interfered with his reputation as one of this country’s most significant modern artists.

His paintings are bought by leading collectors and great public galleries and his cards and pottery reproductions have made him one of the top-selling graphic artists at National Trust gift shops all over the United Kingdom.

Yet his personal story is a fascinating tale of struggle, heartbreak and amazing risks.

With the artist’s full cooperation, Daily Mail journalist Liz Hodgkinson has written a startlingly fresh text and certainly not the usual sort for illustrated art books.

The real story of the origins of the world famous Hay Festival (Alex was the creator of Hay on Wye’s insignia) is finally told and is worth the purchase price alone.