⭐⭐⭐⭐ Who knew that the term “redneck” had its roots in a bloody labor uprising in West Virginia? I certainly didn’t! That’s just one of the fascinating things I learned from Taylor Brown’s Rednecks, a historical novel based on the West Virginia Mine Wars of 1920–1921. The story follows thousands of coal miners who fought against brutal working conditions, intimidation, and the powerful coal companies that controlled their lives. Their rebellion culminated in the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in American history. Brown brings this turbulent period to life through a colorful cast of characters on both sides of the conflict. I especially appreciated learning about real-life […]
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Gilded Mountain Book Review
“I asked a man in prison once how he happened to be there, and he said he had stolen a pair of shoes. I told him if he had stolen a railroad, he would be a United States Senator.” — Mary Harris “Mother” Jones. The early 1900s is an epic time in American history and Moonstone, Colorado, is a harsh place to live. In Gilded Mountain, author Kate Manning introduces readers to Sylvie Pelletier, an unforgettable teenager who bravely exposes the corruption that enriches her father’s employers. Sylvie is a first-generation American and the daughter of French-Canadian parents. To help put food on the table, the sixteen-year-old serves as […]
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