Night Comes to the Cumberlands

Night Comes to the Cumberlands is a must-read for anyone interested in Kentucky, whether you're working in public policy or a church planter (which Caudill provides specific insights into), a sociologist, or curious tourist. It ought to be a prerequisite for members of the Kentucky General Assembly......more

This book's story ends just about the time I begin, and the closest I ever came to the coal mines of Kentucky was a couple of days working in Wheeling, West Virginia. You might think I would be unable to find a footing in it at all. But Caudill's writing sings of sadness and love for the region and......more

The book is dated, and there are terms as assumptions that might make us blush today. For instance, his emphasis on some sort of inherited biological deficiency is a major stain in this book that can lead to one to some horribly untrue stereotypes. Nevertheless, parts of this book with its commentar......more

this is an amazing look at life in Appalachia/ Harry Caudill writes lyrically and heartbreakingly of the poverty in Eastern KY and the battered lives of the people. The culprit which keeps the region dependant on COAL.......more

Starts out sort of charming, the odd/primitive/naive ways early Americans settled into the lush and lawless early America. Eventually the charm fades as the coal industry robs the Cumberland region and people of all vitality. Nobody knew any better, and those involved were especially shortsighted in......more