Book: Black Coal and Red Bandanas - West Virginia Mine Wars
Author: Raymond Tyler
Pages: 136
This is my 201st read for the year
Amazon says:
Our illustrated history begins with Mary Harris "Mother" Jone's arrival at the turn of the century. White-haired, matronly, and fiercely socialist, Jones became known as the "miners' angel", and helped turn the fledglind United Mine Workers into the nation's most powerful labor union. In 1912, miners led by stubborn Frank Keeney struck against harsh conditions in the work camps of Paint and Cabin Creeks. Coal operators responded by elisting violent Baldwin-Felts guards. The ensuing battles and murderous events caused the governor to declare and execute martial law on a scale unprecedented in the US. On May 19, 1920 in response to evictions by coal company agents, the "Matewan Massacre" event occured. This graphic interpretation of people's history features unforgettable main characters while also displaying the diverse rank nd file workers who stood in solidarity during this struggle.
This was a good graphic novel. It is short, but it covers a lot of material and does it well. I did not know anything about this story, and learned a lot about the unions that were formed for mine workers and the cost. My husband got it for me as a present knowing I am a fan of non-fiction and graphic novels, and it was a good one.
Stars: 4
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