Killing for Coal, Thomas G. Andrews
Killing for Coal, Thomas G. Andrews
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Killing for Coal
America’s Deadliest Labor War

Author: Thomas G. Andrews

Narrator: Gary Tiedemann

Unabridged: 11 hr 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 07/11/2023


Synopsis

On a spring morning in 1914, members of the United Mine Workers of America clashed with guards employed by the Rockefeller family, and a state militia beholden to Colorado's industrial barons. When the dust settled, nineteen men, women, and children among the miners' families lay dead. The strikers had killed at least thirty men, destroyed six mines, and laid waste to two company towns.

Killing for Coal offers a bold and original perspective on the 1914 Ludlow Massacre and the "Great Coalfield War." In a sweeping story of transformation that begins in the coal beds and culminates with the deadliest strike in American history, Thomas Andrews illuminates the causes and consequences of the militancy that erupted in colliers' strikes over the course of nearly half a century. He reveals a complex world shaped by the connected forces of land, labor, corporate industrialization, and workers' resistance.

Brilliantly conceived and written, this book takes the organic world as its starting point. The resulting elucidation of the coalfield wars goes far beyond traditional labor history. Considering issues of social and environmental justice in the context of an economy dependent on fossil fuel, Andrews makes a powerful case for rethinking the relationships that unite and divide workers, consumers, capitalists, and the natural world.

About Thomas G. Andrews

Thomas G. Andrews is professor of history at the University of Colorado Boulder.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kelli on April 06, 2017

Thomas Andrews’ work Killing for Coal: America’s Deadliest Labor War presents a detailed history of the fighting and tensions between coal miners and employers in southern Colorado. Andrews begins his work with a description of the “Ludlow Massacre” or “Ludlow Battle” that took place on April 20, 19......more

Goodreads review by William on March 09, 2022

“Pick! Pick! Pick! In the tunnel's endless gloom And every blow of our strong right arm But helps to carve our tomb.” Killing for Coal provides what may be a truly unique look at, as the title goes on to say, “America's deadliest labor war,” which took place in the Colorado coal mining camps and towns i......more

Goodreads review by Frank on January 30, 2023

It starts out strong and it’s thoroughly researched, but this book is about 90 percent backstory and 10 percent main event. My patience was wearing thin by the time I finally got to the content that’s advertised on the cover, and by then I was fatigued with repetition and minutiae. I’m sure this boo......more

Goodreads review by Lashonda on April 25, 2013

This book takes a look at the uprising of coal miners and how they... after the destruction of a tent village...go on a rampage because of the deaths of women and children... its interesting, compelling, and easy to understand why these men resorted to the lengths they did after years of attempting......more

Goodreads review by John on September 10, 2010

Outstanding book! The best history book I've read in many years (and I read a lot of history). If you are interested in labor history, environmental history, the history of migration, Western American history, business history, or just a great read, this is well worth your time. No wonder it won so......more