Lon Savage (2)

Detailed retelling of the violent events of 1920-21 in southern West Virginia. Sometimes called the largest civilian uprising since the Civil War, the mine wars of the era ripped the region apart. Lon Savage has produced one of the few historical accounts of the events. Miners had been pushed to the breaking point by the coal companies, who controlled every aspect of a miner's life and enforced it with hired "detectives." Most of us today do not realize how backbreaking and difficult life show more was for the miners and their families. An important story of how men and women fought for a better life for themselves and their children.

I was raised in WV and was taught very little about the labor battles in the state. Less than two pages in the WV history text book. I'm very glad this book is still available and it should be a reminder of how far we've come. show less

Well researched, true story of the deep conflict between union miners and the mine owners/operators in the mountains of West Virginia in 1920-1921 which attracted national attention and involved many levels of law and military enforcement and government officials.

The West Virginia Mine War 1920-21.