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Rednecks
A historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history.
Rednecks is a tour de force, big canvas historical novel that dramatizes the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story.
Brimming with the high stakes drama of America’s buried history, Rednecks tells a powerful story of rebellion against oppression. In a land where the coal companies use violence and intimidation to keep miners from organizing, “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), toils amid the blood and injustice of the mining camps. When Frank Hugham, a Black World War One veteran and coal miner, takes dramatic steps to lead a miners' revolt with a band of fellow veterans, Doc Moo risks his life and career to treat sick and wounded miners, while Frank's grandmother, Beulah, fights her own battle to save her home and grandson. Real-life historical figures burn bright among the hills: the fiery Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America," struggles to maintain the ear of the miners ("her boys") amid the tide of rebellion, while the sharp-shooting police chief "Smilin" Sid Hatfield dares to stand up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars.
Award-winning novelist Taylor Brown brings to life one of the most compelling events in 20th century American history, reminding us of the hard-won origins of today's unions. Rednecks is a propulsive, character-driven tale that’s both a century old and blisteringly contemporary: a story of unexpected friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against all odds.
Rednecks is a tour de force, big canvas historical novel that dramatizes the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story.
Brimming with the high stakes drama of America’s buried history, Rednecks tells a powerful story of rebellion against oppression. In a land where the coal companies use violence and intimidation to keep miners from organizing, “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), toils amid the blood and injustice of the mining camps. When Frank Hugham, a Black World War One veteran and coal miner, takes dramatic steps to lead a miners' revolt with a band of fellow veterans, Doc Moo risks his life and career to treat sick and wounded miners, while Frank's grandmother, Beulah, fights her own battle to save her home and grandson. Real-life historical figures burn bright among the hills: the fiery Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America," struggles to maintain the ear of the miners ("her boys") amid the tide of rebellion, while the sharp-shooting police chief "Smilin" Sid Hatfield dares to stand up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars.
Award-winning novelist Taylor Brown brings to life one of the most compelling events in 20th century American history, reminding us of the hard-won origins of today's unions. Rednecks is a propulsive, character-driven tale that’s both a century old and blisteringly contemporary: a story of unexpected friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against all odds.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2024
About the author
Taylor Brown
11 books677 followersTaylor Brown is the award-winning author of the novels Fallen Land (2016), The River of Kings (2017), Gods of Howl Mountain (2018), Pride of Eden (2020), Wingwalkers (2022), and Rednecks (2024), as well as a short story collection, In the Season of Blood and Gold (2014). He's a recipient of the Montana Prize in Fiction and his first three novels were all finalists for the Southern Book Prize. He lives in Savannah, Georgia, where he is the founder and editor-in-chief of BikeBound, one of the world's leading custom motorcycle publications. His website is taylorbrownfiction.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@taybrown), Instagram (@taylorbrown82) and Facebook (@Taylor.Brown.Fiction).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
January 30, 2024
When I first discovered Taylor Brown in 2015, I was immediately drawn to his beautiful writing and story telling. I’ve read all of his novels since then and while I loved the others, especially Fallen Land , this one felt deeper and more important since there seems to be so little known or taught about the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in our country’s history. It feels important now, more than ever to consider our history.
The writing is perfection . Reading this was like watching a movie on an IMAX screen and I found myself in the center of it all - the horrific results of mine accidents, the violent shootouts, vicious attacks on individuals, the trauma on families being removed from their mine owned homes . Violence , a lot of violence , but that’s the reality of what happened in West Virginia in 1921. I also found myself in touching moments of family love, intimate details of character’s back stories and the beauty of people caring for their neighbors and friends. This is a war story, though , a war between the mine workers and the greedy, vulture mine owners and their hired thugs . They called it an insurrection, and it couldn’t have been more justified with men being held as indentured servants in many ways , being paid in company scrip , living in company owned cabins that families could get evicted from if you were a union supporter , or if the miner dies. Militia law instead of the constitution and Americans dropping bombs on American soil for the sake of greed. I knew of coal miner’s strikes , but I really had no idea .
Brown brings history to life with his extraordinary story telling, not just transporting he reader to the very time and place , but to the very heart and soul of his charcters lives , whether real life historical figures like Sid Hatfield and Mother Jones or the fictional characters he imagines there , who seem just as real. While there are courageous men who valiantly take up arms , one of my favorite characters is Dr. Moo, a hero without a gun inspired by Brown’s great grandfather. If you’re a fan of Taylor Brown, I don’t have to recommend this because you will probably read it and like me fall in love with his writing all over again and you will learn what the term redneck really means. If you have not read Taylor Brown, I’ll just say that this man was born to write.
I love knowing a writers inspiration and was glad to read Taylor Brown’s review of his book on Goodreads where he describes how he came to write this .
Happy to be back reading with my book buddy Diane .
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
The writing is perfection . Reading this was like watching a movie on an IMAX screen and I found myself in the center of it all - the horrific results of mine accidents, the violent shootouts, vicious attacks on individuals, the trauma on families being removed from their mine owned homes . Violence , a lot of violence , but that’s the reality of what happened in West Virginia in 1921. I also found myself in touching moments of family love, intimate details of character’s back stories and the beauty of people caring for their neighbors and friends. This is a war story, though , a war between the mine workers and the greedy, vulture mine owners and their hired thugs . They called it an insurrection, and it couldn’t have been more justified with men being held as indentured servants in many ways , being paid in company scrip , living in company owned cabins that families could get evicted from if you were a union supporter , or if the miner dies. Militia law instead of the constitution and Americans dropping bombs on American soil for the sake of greed. I knew of coal miner’s strikes , but I really had no idea .
Brown brings history to life with his extraordinary story telling, not just transporting he reader to the very time and place , but to the very heart and soul of his charcters lives , whether real life historical figures like Sid Hatfield and Mother Jones or the fictional characters he imagines there , who seem just as real. While there are courageous men who valiantly take up arms , one of my favorite characters is Dr. Moo, a hero without a gun inspired by Brown’s great grandfather. If you’re a fan of Taylor Brown, I don’t have to recommend this because you will probably read it and like me fall in love with his writing all over again and you will learn what the term redneck really means. If you have not read Taylor Brown, I’ll just say that this man was born to write.
I love knowing a writers inspiration and was glad to read Taylor Brown’s review of his book on Goodreads where he describes how he came to write this .
Happy to be back reading with my book buddy Diane .
I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley.
March 23, 2024
“They wear red bandannas around their necks, as if their throats have already been cut. People will call them primitives and hillbillies, anarchists and insurrectionists. They will call them Rednecks.”
I love a well done historical fiction and few do it as well as Taylor Brown, who concentrates his efforts on the American South. This time, his attention turns to the coal mine wars of 1920-21 and specifically, the Battle of Blair Mountain. “One side had power and influence, the other was willing to die. One of the oldest, bloodiest stories in a very old book - old as civilization itself.” This was the largest labor uprising and the largest armed conflict since the Civil War. But today, it’s almost completely forgotten.
Told from multiple POVs, I especially appreciated that one character was a Lebanese doctor. Forget prejudice, the miners wanted someone independent, not a company doctor. And this character was based on Brown’s own great-grandfather. Frank Hugham, a black miner, is the second voice we hear the most from. Two of the characters are real - Smilin’ Sid Hatfield, a sheriff and Union sympathizer and Mother Jones. Brown manages to blend the dark of the battle with the love of family and community.
The writing is exceptional. I found myself highlighting multiple phrases. It’s a high powered story, with little downtime. It’s a tense story and I was totally gripped by it. I flew through the pages, dying to know the outcome for the main characters. The book is meticulously researched and includes a Bibliography along with an excellent Author’s Note.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
I love a well done historical fiction and few do it as well as Taylor Brown, who concentrates his efforts on the American South. This time, his attention turns to the coal mine wars of 1920-21 and specifically, the Battle of Blair Mountain. “One side had power and influence, the other was willing to die. One of the oldest, bloodiest stories in a very old book - old as civilization itself.” This was the largest labor uprising and the largest armed conflict since the Civil War. But today, it’s almost completely forgotten.
Told from multiple POVs, I especially appreciated that one character was a Lebanese doctor. Forget prejudice, the miners wanted someone independent, not a company doctor. And this character was based on Brown’s own great-grandfather. Frank Hugham, a black miner, is the second voice we hear the most from. Two of the characters are real - Smilin’ Sid Hatfield, a sheriff and Union sympathizer and Mother Jones. Brown manages to blend the dark of the battle with the love of family and community.
The writing is exceptional. I found myself highlighting multiple phrases. It’s a high powered story, with little downtime. It’s a tense story and I was totally gripped by it. I flew through the pages, dying to know the outcome for the main characters. The book is meticulously researched and includes a Bibliography along with an excellent Author’s Note.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
February 16, 2024
4.5
The story of the Battle of Blair Mountain.. the coal miners trying to become part of a union in West Virginia. The bigwig owners of the mines weren’t having it and even the military was called up against the miners.
I knew nothing about this story.
Some really great characters in this book.
My maternal grandfather would have only been 16 at the time of this battle..but later he was a miner in Logan County… he worked for West Virginia Coal & Coke Corp.
He worked there during the 30’s to most likely the 60’s
I know it was a hard life for him.. he raised eight children, and got black lung.
This was written so well, Taylor Brown is a great author.
This and God’s of Howl Mountain are my favorites of his.
Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Publishing Group/Austin Adams for the ARC!
The story of the Battle of Blair Mountain.. the coal miners trying to become part of a union in West Virginia. The bigwig owners of the mines weren’t having it and even the military was called up against the miners.
I knew nothing about this story.
Some really great characters in this book.
My maternal grandfather would have only been 16 at the time of this battle..but later he was a miner in Logan County… he worked for West Virginia Coal & Coke Corp.
He worked there during the 30’s to most likely the 60’s
I know it was a hard life for him.. he raised eight children, and got black lung.
This was written so well, Taylor Brown is a great author.
This and God’s of Howl Mountain are my favorites of his.
Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Publishing Group/Austin Adams for the ARC!
Read
August 8, 2024No thanks, Brown. Usually you are a 5-er and this one was borderline interesting. Perhaps I need to be American to appreciate this history? Tossing into the DNF pile as life too short! Do look at other reviews as it could just be a me thing (again).
February 11, 2024
3 stars.
Eye-opening and informative!
1920’s. West Virginia. Coal miners have no rights. Coal mine owners and managers have no respect for their employees working extremely long days in horrendously unsafe conditions. This novel follows the shocking West Virginia Mine Wars.
I was fascinated to learn about this time in history. I have always been curious about the start of unions and how a group of employees comes together to make positive change for the collective group. This was a brutal example of just how hard that was in this era and how much employees had to endure to make change. It took strength of mind and body and a fearless determination to push for basic protection and rights.
This novel was extremely atmospheric. I felt the grit and impending danger and darkness that hung over the entire plot.
The inhumane working and living conditions for coal miners was horrifying. The strength of the leaders of this time fighting for change was inspiring and unforgettable.
While I appreciate learning about this time in history, I did find myself lost within the details several times. I usually enjoy this authors writing but this story was bogged down with densely packed detail and repetition. It felt like more of an educational read than an entertaining one. I found the storyline dragged on and my interest wavered throughout.
There were some unforgettable characters that I enjoyed spending time with. I am thankful I read this and feel I learned much from it. However, I can’t say it was an overly enjoyable read.
I do recommend it if you are looking for a heavily detailed, educational, historical drama.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
Eye-opening and informative!
1920’s. West Virginia. Coal miners have no rights. Coal mine owners and managers have no respect for their employees working extremely long days in horrendously unsafe conditions. This novel follows the shocking West Virginia Mine Wars.
I was fascinated to learn about this time in history. I have always been curious about the start of unions and how a group of employees comes together to make positive change for the collective group. This was a brutal example of just how hard that was in this era and how much employees had to endure to make change. It took strength of mind and body and a fearless determination to push for basic protection and rights.
This novel was extremely atmospheric. I felt the grit and impending danger and darkness that hung over the entire plot.
The inhumane working and living conditions for coal miners was horrifying. The strength of the leaders of this time fighting for change was inspiring and unforgettable.
While I appreciate learning about this time in history, I did find myself lost within the details several times. I usually enjoy this authors writing but this story was bogged down with densely packed detail and repetition. It felt like more of an educational read than an entertaining one. I found the storyline dragged on and my interest wavered throughout.
There were some unforgettable characters that I enjoyed spending time with. I am thankful I read this and feel I learned much from it. However, I can’t say it was an overly enjoyable read.
I do recommend it if you are looking for a heavily detailed, educational, historical drama.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
June 11, 2024
This historical novel dramatizes the 1920-21 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story. Although I was vaguely aware of the labor/union problems in the past, this book really educated me.
There are some excellent characters in the book including Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America", Dr. Domit “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), and "Smilin" Sid Hatfield who stood up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars, to name just a few. I really struggled with this book and found I could only read it in small doses. This is no fault of the book; it was very well written with much historical information. I think I just found it too heartbreaking to read how Americans treated their fellow Americans and how families suffered. All those men dead and for nothing. Or maybe it's because some of those things or variations of them are still happening in that country. To me this book was deserving of 3.5 stars but I debated whether to round up or down. Each reader will need to make their own decision.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing this copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: May 14, 2024
There are some excellent characters in the book including Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America", Dr. Domit “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), and "Smilin" Sid Hatfield who stood up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars, to name just a few. I really struggled with this book and found I could only read it in small doses. This is no fault of the book; it was very well written with much historical information. I think I just found it too heartbreaking to read how Americans treated their fellow Americans and how families suffered. All those men dead and for nothing. Or maybe it's because some of those things or variations of them are still happening in that country. To me this book was deserving of 3.5 stars but I debated whether to round up or down. Each reader will need to make their own decision.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing this copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: May 14, 2024
June 21, 2024
A very well researched fictional account of the 1920 Battle of Blair Mountain. Using his own great- grandfather as a major character along with the likes of Mother Jones, Sidney Hatfield, and Bill Blizzard of the United Mine Workers, it recounts the efforts of the West Virginia miners to have the right to unionize. Working conditions and pay were dismal, they were dependent on company housing and scrip to the company store, and were little more than slaves to the wealthy mine owners and hired thugs that kept them in line. Kudos to Brown for bringing this almost forgotten battle back into focus.
March 15, 2024
Set in the early 1920’s, this story is based on the Battle of Blair Mountain in Logan County, West Virginia, a story of the Coal Wars. Approximately 50 to 100 died, with hundreds wounded. I was surprised to find that it was the largest labor uprising in United States history and remains the largest armed uprising that took place in America since the Civil War.
Taylor Brown has written a story that, at times, is dark and gritty, but there are also moments of tenderness, love, and heartbreak, as well. The story includes some real-life characters which surprised me, and loved knowing that the legendary Mother Jones was one of them.
Aside from the miners, there are several characters who add some charm to this, including Mother Jones, and the Lebanese-American doctor, who goes by ’Doc Moo’, Frank, a miner, and his mother Beulah, a wonderful character who helps to add a sense of these times, and what they needed to do in order to endure and hold on to hope, as slim as it seems.
There are moments, many, many moments of tension, danger, as well as fear, but there are also moments when these people seem to rise above that and become their own heroes, as well as lending a hand, or more, to help those in their community.
Beautifully written, this is a story of the bonds of friendship and the power that this community has to overcome their fears, despite their fears, despite being outnumbered.
I had never read or heard about this in any history book, or from my father or grandfather and grandmother who had both grown up in West Virginia. I’ve visited there, walked through the house that my great-grandfather built with his own hands, and where my grandfather, and my father were born. I have cousins there who I met by chance searching through an old graveyard looking for family names. After going through most of the graveyard by then, I offered to help a man and his friend find family buried there since I had gone through most of the graveyard by then, and showed him where the person he was looking for was. The man who’d been helping him asked what names I was looking for, and when I told him, and heard his response, I realized he was my father’s cousin, and was invited to his home, directly across the street.
Another powerful, heartfelt story by one of my favourite authors.
Pub Date: 14 May 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press
May 15, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
I love historical fiction; it's one of my favourite genres. However, there's something special about historical fiction that teaches me about events of which I have no background knowledge.
Rednecks sweeps readers back to West Virginia in 1920-1921 where the largest labour union uprising took place. Like most books of this genre, author Taylor Brown incorporates a world in which fictional characters( Doc Moo, Miss Beluah) rub elbows with the real-life personalities( Mother Jones, Sid Hatfield) of the time.
Rednecks is a slow-burn type of read. From the opening, we see the swift actions of the mining company which owns the town evict the townspeople and force them into tent cities. Time and time again, we see the brutality as the violence escalates and the miners soon number 10,000 fighting against the mining company, the state militia, and even the United States government. It's hard to imagine how quickly orders are carried out against a nation's citizens. But it's not all violence as there are touching moments of family life and community banding together.
This was my first Taylor Brown novel, but I believe it won't be my last.
Publication Date 14/05/24
Goodreads Review 14/05/24
I love historical fiction; it's one of my favourite genres. However, there's something special about historical fiction that teaches me about events of which I have no background knowledge.
Rednecks sweeps readers back to West Virginia in 1920-1921 where the largest labour union uprising took place. Like most books of this genre, author Taylor Brown incorporates a world in which fictional characters( Doc Moo, Miss Beluah) rub elbows with the real-life personalities( Mother Jones, Sid Hatfield) of the time.
Rednecks is a slow-burn type of read. From the opening, we see the swift actions of the mining company which owns the town evict the townspeople and force them into tent cities. Time and time again, we see the brutality as the violence escalates and the miners soon number 10,000 fighting against the mining company, the state militia, and even the United States government. It's hard to imagine how quickly orders are carried out against a nation's citizens. But it's not all violence as there are touching moments of family life and community banding together.
This was my first Taylor Brown novel, but I believe it won't be my last.
Publication Date 14/05/24
Goodreads Review 14/05/24
July 8, 2024
Rednecks was a truly riveting historical fiction narrative about a little-known uprising of the West Virginia coal miners in 1920-1921. The West Virginia Mine Wars becomes prescient with Taylor Brown’s lyrical and beautiful writing as we follow the miners as well as the opposition. We also have the likes of historically significant figures like Sid Hatfield of the legendary Hatfields and McCoys as well as Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer struggling to maintain communications during the rebellion. And she certainly does her part while well into her nineties. This sweeping historical novel dramatizes the West Virginia Mine Wars from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War.
At the heart of this story is the powerful rebellion against oppression, and in this war we meet many of the people that were integral to the struggle in which the coal companies used violence and intimidation to keep the miners from organizing. One of the heros in this tale would have to be Dr. Muhanna, better known as Doc Moo. He was from Lebanon and was inspired by the stories about Taylor Brown’s own great-grandfather. The doctor, the father of three daughters and his young son, Musa, who has such an important role in the struggle of the miners. Doc Moo risked his life to treat the wounded and sick miners. Frank Hugham, a Black World War I veteran and coal miner leads a revolt for the miners with a band of fellow veterans. And dear to my heart was his grandmother Beulah who fights her own battle to save her home and her grandson while rocking on her porch in her rocking chair.
At the heart of this story is the powerful rebellion against oppression, and in this war we meet many of the people that were integral to the struggle in which the coal companies used violence and intimidation to keep the miners from organizing. One of the heros in this tale would have to be Dr. Muhanna, better known as Doc Moo. He was from Lebanon and was inspired by the stories about Taylor Brown’s own great-grandfather. The doctor, the father of three daughters and his young son, Musa, who has such an important role in the struggle of the miners. Doc Moo risked his life to treat the wounded and sick miners. Frank Hugham, a Black World War I veteran and coal miner leads a revolt for the miners with a band of fellow veterans. And dear to my heart was his grandmother Beulah who fights her own battle to save her home and her grandson while rocking on her porch in her rocking chair.
”Mother Jones, in her black dress, looked back and forth over the crowd, looking into the faces of her boys. A hardscrabble lot, wide-eyed like nocturnal creatures, accustomed to toiling in the dark chambers of the mines. Hard men—no other survived this kind of life. Their red bandanas looped their necks like those of wild bronco riders or a whole army of Billy the Kids. Mother’s heart moved in her chest as they cried to her.”
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are
stored. . . .”
“The same melody passed through his soul through so many songs, jumping from one hymn to the next, animating the stories they told. From the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” to “John Brown’s Body,” from the Union anthem to the bawdy ballad of Davy Crockett they’d made up on the mountain. . .”
“Mine eyes have seen the rising of the army of the mines,
We are trampling out the trenches where the King of Coal abides,
We have loosed the fateful lightning of ten thousand strengthened minds,
The Rednecks are march-ing on!”
May 24, 2024
Previously I had read Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown and I enjoyed it, so I was glad to have the opportunity to sample another of his works. The title caught my attention first and made me want to investigate.
Description:
A historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history.
Rednecks is a tour de force, big canvas historical novel that dramatizes the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story.
Brimming with the high stakes drama of America’s buried history, Rednecks tells a powerful story of rebellion against oppression. In a land where the coal companies use violence and intimidation to keep miners from organizing, “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), toils amid the blood and injustice of the mining camps. When Frank Hugham, a Black World War One veteran and coal miner, takes dramatic steps to lead a miners' revolt with a band of fellow veterans, Doc Moo risks his life and career to treat sick and wounded miners, while Frank's grandmother, Beulah, fights her own battle to save her home and grandson. Real-life historical figures burn bright among the hills: the fiery Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America," struggles to maintain the ear of the miners ("her boys") amid the tide of rebellion, while the sharp-shooting police chief "Smilin" Sid Hatfield dares to stand up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars.
Award-winning novelist Taylor Brown brings to life one of the most compelling events in 20th century American history, reminding us of the hard-won origins of today's unions. Rednecks is a propulsive, character-driven tale that’s both a century old and blisteringly contemporary: a story of unexpected friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against all odds.
My Thoughts:
This is historical fiction at its best. There is a great deal of this book that actually happened and Brown has masterfully provided fictional details which still allow for the true story to come through. The plight of the coal miners is heart-breaking. They were such an underdog group fighting for better working conditions against nearly insurmountable obstacles put up by the mine owners and their brutes. The battle was fierce, but Brown made you feel the fierce determination of the coal miners as they doggedly fought for their very survival. This really opened my eyes to the conditions in those coal mines and how the workers were living. I would recommend it to anyone who likes history or wants to know more about the past in the appalachian mines of West Virginia and Kentucky.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
A historical drama based on the Battle of Blair Mountain, pitting a multi-ethnic army of 10,000 coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the United States government in the largest labor uprising in American history.
Rednecks is a tour de force, big canvas historical novel that dramatizes the 1920 to 1921 events of the West Virginia Mine Wars—from the Matewan Massacre through the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War, when some one million rounds were fired, bombs were dropped on Appalachia, and the term “redneck” would come to have an unexpected origin story.
Brimming with the high stakes drama of America’s buried history, Rednecks tells a powerful story of rebellion against oppression. In a land where the coal companies use violence and intimidation to keep miners from organizing, “Doc Moo" Muhanna, a Lebanese-American doctor (inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather), toils amid the blood and injustice of the mining camps. When Frank Hugham, a Black World War One veteran and coal miner, takes dramatic steps to lead a miners' revolt with a band of fellow veterans, Doc Moo risks his life and career to treat sick and wounded miners, while Frank's grandmother, Beulah, fights her own battle to save her home and grandson. Real-life historical figures burn bright among the hills: the fiery Mother Jones, an Irish-born labor organizer once known as "The Most Dangerous Woman in America," struggles to maintain the ear of the miners ("her boys") amid the tide of rebellion, while the sharp-shooting police chief "Smilin" Sid Hatfield dares to stand up to the "gun thugs" of the coal companies, becoming a folk hero of the mine wars.
Award-winning novelist Taylor Brown brings to life one of the most compelling events in 20th century American history, reminding us of the hard-won origins of today's unions. Rednecks is a propulsive, character-driven tale that’s both a century old and blisteringly contemporary: a story of unexpected friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against all odds.
My Thoughts:
This is historical fiction at its best. There is a great deal of this book that actually happened and Brown has masterfully provided fictional details which still allow for the true story to come through. The plight of the coal miners is heart-breaking. They were such an underdog group fighting for better working conditions against nearly insurmountable obstacles put up by the mine owners and their brutes. The battle was fierce, but Brown made you feel the fierce determination of the coal miners as they doggedly fought for their very survival. This really opened my eyes to the conditions in those coal mines and how the workers were living. I would recommend it to anyone who likes history or wants to know more about the past in the appalachian mines of West Virginia and Kentucky.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 17, 2024
The first Taylor Brown book I read was Wingwalkers. It impressed me so much that I leapt at the opportunity to read Rednecks which, I believe, is even better for it presents a very important, and not widely known, episode in American labor history. I was familiar with a portion of the story only from having seen John Sayles’ 1987 film Matewan.
Rednecks is an excellent historical novel based on the events that occurred in Matewan and culminated in a labor war at Blair Mountain, West Virginia during 1920-1921. Using some historical figures, such as Mother Jones, a popular labor organizer who traveled the country to encourage and help “her boys”, and Sid Hatfield, who was both hero and martyr to the labor union cause, Brown also added many powerful characters to populate both sides of this battle for rights to a fair living.
At a time when mine owners not only paid for work done in script that could only be used at company owned stores, but also owned housing, owned the company doctors, etc, etc, the appeal and need for a union was obvious to the workers. Just as obvious was the incentive for the wealthy owners, many of whom lived at a distance, to forbid organizing and to destroy those who dared to try it. They hired private agencies to discourage organizing and sometimes to kill miners or union sympathizers as examples.
This episode was a huge moment in the history of the labor movement of this country and deserves to be better known. Thanks to Taylor Brown it will be. He provides an author’s note with information about specific characters and a bibliography for further learning about this episode in the labor movement as well as more general information.
Highly recommended to history readers, historical fiction readers, those interested in the labor movement in the United States and an immersive story of people seeking justice. And it has a lot of action.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own.
Rednecks is an excellent historical novel based on the events that occurred in Matewan and culminated in a labor war at Blair Mountain, West Virginia during 1920-1921. Using some historical figures, such as Mother Jones, a popular labor organizer who traveled the country to encourage and help “her boys”, and Sid Hatfield, who was both hero and martyr to the labor union cause, Brown also added many powerful characters to populate both sides of this battle for rights to a fair living.
At a time when mine owners not only paid for work done in script that could only be used at company owned stores, but also owned housing, owned the company doctors, etc, etc, the appeal and need for a union was obvious to the workers. Just as obvious was the incentive for the wealthy owners, many of whom lived at a distance, to forbid organizing and to destroy those who dared to try it. They hired private agencies to discourage organizing and sometimes to kill miners or union sympathizers as examples.
This episode was a huge moment in the history of the labor movement of this country and deserves to be better known. Thanks to Taylor Brown it will be. He provides an author’s note with information about specific characters and a bibliography for further learning about this episode in the labor movement as well as more general information.
Highly recommended to history readers, historical fiction readers, those interested in the labor movement in the United States and an immersive story of people seeking justice. And it has a lot of action.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own.
February 14, 2024
Thank you to the publisher, St Martins Press, @StMartinsPress, and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book covers the events of the West Virginia Mine wars, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War.
The characters come to life in a propulsive, character driven tale. This book has a story of unexplained friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against outsized odds.
Rednecks is certainly a dramatized approach to historical fiction, and it was quite the wild ride. This book had a mix of real and fictional characters who worked in the West Virginia coal mines. Doc Moo was probably my favorite character of the book, he was inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather, which was really cool. All the characters were a lot of fun, and really came to life in an interesting and enchanting way. This book took something I don’t think that I have ever heard about and turned it into a great story. I was inspired to do some research of my own after reading this book, and it is really fascinating. What a horrible point in time and I am glad that things resolved.
This author knows how to bring history to life and transport you to the front lines all while getting you interested.
If you are interested in the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in American history, which is truly fascinating, then you need to read this book.
This book covers the events of the West Virginia Mine wars, the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War.
The characters come to life in a propulsive, character driven tale. This book has a story of unexplained friendship, heroism in the face of injustice, and the power of love and community against outsized odds.
Rednecks is certainly a dramatized approach to historical fiction, and it was quite the wild ride. This book had a mix of real and fictional characters who worked in the West Virginia coal mines. Doc Moo was probably my favorite character of the book, he was inspired by the author’s own great-grandfather, which was really cool. All the characters were a lot of fun, and really came to life in an interesting and enchanting way. This book took something I don’t think that I have ever heard about and turned it into a great story. I was inspired to do some research of my own after reading this book, and it is really fascinating. What a horrible point in time and I am glad that things resolved.
This author knows how to bring history to life and transport you to the front lines all while getting you interested.
If you are interested in the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in American history, which is truly fascinating, then you need to read this book.
January 10, 2024
I have been a fan of Taylor Brown since his very first book and with Rednecks he has cemented his place as one of my favorite authors.
I had never heard of the Battle of Blair Mountain when the coal miners were pitted against mine owners, state militia and the U.S. government. It was definitely a battle.
Rednecks is filled with memorable characters of people who are just trying to have enough to eat and a place to live without having to kill themselves trying to make a living. Dr. Moo being one of my favorites.
This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a ARC.
I had never heard of the Battle of Blair Mountain when the coal miners were pitted against mine owners, state militia and the U.S. government. It was definitely a battle.
Rednecks is filled with memorable characters of people who are just trying to have enough to eat and a place to live without having to kill themselves trying to make a living. Dr. Moo being one of my favorites.
This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a ARC.
February 19, 2024
In less than 10 years, author Taylor Brown has developed into a undeniable force. About every two years, he turns out a new novel that one just cannot put down. "The River of Kings" and "Gods of Howl Mountain" are two of my favorite books of recent times. I honestly did not think he would ever be able to reproduce that level of writing again. Then I received an ARC of "Rednecks", his latest novel (to be published in May 2024). Wow! Was I ever wrong in doubting his ability! I dare say Rednecks is his best work yet.
The book is set in the early 1920's, in the coal fields of West Virginia. It's the story of the underdog coal miners against, well, everyone else....the coal barons, the hired thugs of the companies, and even the government. I wasn't familiar with the "war" that went on there, but am totally shocked at it now. HOW did this happen???? It gives me a much deeper appreciation of the struggles and sacrifices of so many to unionize.
This is an incredible story! I guarantee that once you begin reading it, you will not rest until you finish it. Brown has written a great narrative of the war, using many varied characters. Each is well developed and feels real. The way he writes, you can see the landscapes, smell the gun smoke and sweat, taste the fear in the people, hear the guns as well as the silences. It's all here. You will become immersed in the settings, and actually flinch when a gun goes off in the story. At the end, you're exhausted, unaware that anyone could write to make you feel such a range of emotions. And you will sit back in your chair, take a deep breath, and realize how lucky we are today because of the sacrifices of the people before us. I'm glad Brown only releases a book every two years, I honestly need the time in between to recover from the last one!
The book is set in the early 1920's, in the coal fields of West Virginia. It's the story of the underdog coal miners against, well, everyone else....the coal barons, the hired thugs of the companies, and even the government. I wasn't familiar with the "war" that went on there, but am totally shocked at it now. HOW did this happen???? It gives me a much deeper appreciation of the struggles and sacrifices of so many to unionize.
This is an incredible story! I guarantee that once you begin reading it, you will not rest until you finish it. Brown has written a great narrative of the war, using many varied characters. Each is well developed and feels real. The way he writes, you can see the landscapes, smell the gun smoke and sweat, taste the fear in the people, hear the guns as well as the silences. It's all here. You will become immersed in the settings, and actually flinch when a gun goes off in the story. At the end, you're exhausted, unaware that anyone could write to make you feel such a range of emotions. And you will sit back in your chair, take a deep breath, and realize how lucky we are today because of the sacrifices of the people before us. I'm glad Brown only releases a book every two years, I honestly need the time in between to recover from the last one!
May 14, 2024
It was a time when King Coal was so powerful and rich the law was in its pocket. The workers were expendable–immigrants and people of color and poor whites, so easily replaced. The work was gruelling, men hunched over in three foot high tunnels for six and a half days a week. The men’s bodies grew strong, but with time disease and exhaustion and accidents took them. And when the menfolk could no longer work, their families were thrown out of the houses the mine provided. But what choices did the miners have? What other work was there?
Across the country, workers were organizing unions to demand a just wage and safe working conditions. The workers went on strike and were thrown out of their houses. The miners found quick replacements.
In West Virginia the mine owners hired enforcers to shut down the strikers, killing those who stood by them. Mother Jones, tired and worn from years of union organizing, came with Union supplies and speeches, until she realized the miners were fighting a war they would not win.
The conflict became legendary, the largest armed conflict since the Civil War.
Rednecks brings to life the people and events of the Matewan Massacre and Battle of Blair Mountain in a narrative filled with tension and threat without respite. Author Taylor Brown creates memorable characters on both sides of the conflict, and in the middle a Lebanese born doctor dedicated to healing who must choose sides, inspired by the anuthor’s own grandfather.
On one side were the mine owners, their hired thugs and the lawmen they bribed, and even Federal troops. On the other side the workers and their families, reduced to living in tents, their anger growing with every murder and beating. The miners wore red bandanas, and were known as Rednecks, which made them easy targets when vigilants and lawmen and Federal troops went to war against them.
The novel is riveting as historical fiction, and illuminating as history of the oppression of the workers, consisting of the most vulnerable and least powerful in society. Decried as socialism and anti-capitalist, Unions also are behind laws that protect workers and a fair wage and created the middle class. In recent years, unions have lost members and power, and we have seen the middle class decline.
We have forgotten the sacrifices and the violence behind laws we take for granted. Rednecks reminds us of this history.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
Across the country, workers were organizing unions to demand a just wage and safe working conditions. The workers went on strike and were thrown out of their houses. The miners found quick replacements.
In West Virginia the mine owners hired enforcers to shut down the strikers, killing those who stood by them. Mother Jones, tired and worn from years of union organizing, came with Union supplies and speeches, until she realized the miners were fighting a war they would not win.
The conflict became legendary, the largest armed conflict since the Civil War.
Rednecks brings to life the people and events of the Matewan Massacre and Battle of Blair Mountain in a narrative filled with tension and threat without respite. Author Taylor Brown creates memorable characters on both sides of the conflict, and in the middle a Lebanese born doctor dedicated to healing who must choose sides, inspired by the anuthor’s own grandfather.
On one side were the mine owners, their hired thugs and the lawmen they bribed, and even Federal troops. On the other side the workers and their families, reduced to living in tents, their anger growing with every murder and beating. The miners wore red bandanas, and were known as Rednecks, which made them easy targets when vigilants and lawmen and Federal troops went to war against them.
The novel is riveting as historical fiction, and illuminating as history of the oppression of the workers, consisting of the most vulnerable and least powerful in society. Decried as socialism and anti-capitalist, Unions also are behind laws that protect workers and a fair wage and created the middle class. In recent years, unions have lost members and power, and we have seen the middle class decline.
We have forgotten the sacrifices and the violence behind laws we take for granted. Rednecks reminds us of this history.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
October 13, 2023
Taylor Brown has written a compelling historical novel about the Battle of Blair Mountain, West Virginia. Although the largest battle on US soil since the Civil War, it's probably fair to say that many outside the region are not familiar with it.
The pivotal character in the book is Dr. Domit (Dr. Moo) Muhanna, a Lebanese man who came to Kentucky to go to medical school and who stayed to care for mine workers and all who needed his care. He is based upon the author's great-grandfather, who also came from Lebanon to attend medical school in Kentucky.
The year was 1920, and joining the union warranted harsh treatment -- often at gunpoint--in the minds of the coal bosses. If a man joined the union, he and his family lost their company housing and, near Blair Mountain, were moved to a tent city at the top of the hill. Contrast that to the mansions enjoyed by the mine executives.
Much of the book deals with the battle between the bosses' hired enforcers and the miners who just wanted to feed their families and house them decently. Some had just returned from fighting in World War I, and employed strategies they had learned there. Still, the Battle of Blair Mountain sounds as if it was an excruciating fight, with victory never assured for one side over the other.
The action moves quickly. Not only was the book hard to put down, it was hard to stop thinking about when I wasn't reading. I recommend "Rednecks." Taylor Brown brings history to life. I was also impressed by the book's bibliography.
The pivotal character in the book is Dr. Domit (Dr. Moo) Muhanna, a Lebanese man who came to Kentucky to go to medical school and who stayed to care for mine workers and all who needed his care. He is based upon the author's great-grandfather, who also came from Lebanon to attend medical school in Kentucky.
The year was 1920, and joining the union warranted harsh treatment -- often at gunpoint--in the minds of the coal bosses. If a man joined the union, he and his family lost their company housing and, near Blair Mountain, were moved to a tent city at the top of the hill. Contrast that to the mansions enjoyed by the mine executives.
Much of the book deals with the battle between the bosses' hired enforcers and the miners who just wanted to feed their families and house them decently. Some had just returned from fighting in World War I, and employed strategies they had learned there. Still, the Battle of Blair Mountain sounds as if it was an excruciating fight, with victory never assured for one side over the other.
The action moves quickly. Not only was the book hard to put down, it was hard to stop thinking about when I wasn't reading. I recommend "Rednecks." Taylor Brown brings history to life. I was also impressed by the book's bibliography.
January 25, 2024
Several years ago after reading The Gods of Howl Mountain I planned on reading more by Taylor Brown, but until now, haven't. Based on this, Rednecks, I will keep that vow. His writing is sharp, meaty and exceedingly well researched. He is passionate about his subjects and makes sure the details align with reality, nothing romanticized to increase readership. Here we have the story that John Sayles began with his 1987 movie, Matewan. About the West Virginia/Kentucky coal miner wars of the early 1920's. The bloodiest, most violent and cruel, ruinous war fought on American soil since the Civil War. Brown does create some characters so this is not a wholly nonfictional account. But he does so realistically, with respect. Intermingled with actual personalities from the time, the fictionalized characters round out the population and make emotions and conversations possible, but this doesn't distract from the overall power of this book. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2024
**HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!**
*4.5 stars rounded up. An excellent piece of historical fiction that dramatizes the fight to unionize mine workers in West Virginia in 1920-1921. There were 'protests, picket lines, intimidation, sabotage. One side had power and influence; the other was willing to die.' It was very nearly a second civil war in Appalachia with the US army being called out and even a bomb or two being dropped on the workers.
Several years ago we stayed at Hawks Nest State Park Lodge in Ansted, WV, and during our stay, actors presented a play dramatizing this part of their state history. Through their stories, we learned the origin of the term 'rednecks' was for the bandannas the strikers wore.
The best part of this book are the characters. I had many favorites, such as: Big Frank Hugham and his grandmother, Miss Beulah; Dr Domit Ibrahim Muhanna, known as Dr Moo; Smilin' Sid Hatfield, chief of the Matewan Police; Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, once called "The Most Dangerous Woman in America;" and of course, all the brave men and women who fought for what was right, namely decent pay and safe working conditions. Read this book to learn more about a little known piece of US history and labor struggles.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*4.5 stars rounded up. An excellent piece of historical fiction that dramatizes the fight to unionize mine workers in West Virginia in 1920-1921. There were 'protests, picket lines, intimidation, sabotage. One side had power and influence; the other was willing to die.' It was very nearly a second civil war in Appalachia with the US army being called out and even a bomb or two being dropped on the workers.
Several years ago we stayed at Hawks Nest State Park Lodge in Ansted, WV, and during our stay, actors presented a play dramatizing this part of their state history. Through their stories, we learned the origin of the term 'rednecks' was for the bandannas the strikers wore.
The best part of this book are the characters. I had many favorites, such as: Big Frank Hugham and his grandmother, Miss Beulah; Dr Domit Ibrahim Muhanna, known as Dr Moo; Smilin' Sid Hatfield, chief of the Matewan Police; Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, once called "The Most Dangerous Woman in America;" and of course, all the brave men and women who fought for what was right, namely decent pay and safe working conditions. Read this book to learn more about a little known piece of US history and labor struggles.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2024
I’ve been a fan of Taylor Brown’s books ever since I read his first best-seller, Fallen Land, shortly after it was published in 2016. Even though I have read every book he has written since then (five in all) it has remained my favorite, until now. With las month’s release of , a fictionalized account of the largest armed uprising since the American Civil War, Brown has cemented himself as one of the leading authors of historical fiction to come out of the American South since Shelby Foote.
West Virginia’s Battle of Blair Mountain is also the largest and deadliest labor uprising in United States history, in which as many as 10 thousand striking coal miners fought against state police, local militias and private detectives hired by the mine owners. Although the miners held a vast advantage in numbers, the mines’ owners employed surplus gatling guns and airplanes which dropped bombs and poison gas on the strikers’ positions.* The strike finally ended when the president ordered U. S. Troops into the area to quell the insurrection. As many of the miners had served in the military during the Great War, they didn’t want to fire on the soldiers and most chose to surrender rather than do so. By its end, more than 100 people on both sides were killed, mostly miners.
Brown did an excellent job of breathing life into the actual historical characters such as Mary Mother Jones, UMW president Bill Blizzard, Logan County Sheriff Don Chafin, and Smilin’ Sid Hatfield (yes, one of those Hatfields), but his portrayal of his more-or-less fictional characters was magnificent. In most cases, he cobbled together bits and pieces of several actual participants into a single heroic entity such as that of ‘Big Frank Hugham’ who survived an attempted murder by Baldwin-Felts Detective and went on the become a leading figure in the battle. My favorite character, though, was Doctor Domit ‘Moo’ Muhanna, an immigrant doctor whose dedication to the Hippocratic Oath took him into the worst of the fighting to treat combatants on both sides. This character was based on Brown’s own grandfather, whose story bears striking similarities to his fictional counterpart.
Until Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Recovery Act in 1933, stories involving labor movements rarely had happy endings. Not only did the mine and factory owners control the money, the weapons and the politicians, they also controlled what the rest of us heard about such movements. Had we lived back then, we would not have been reading stories sympathetic to them or their cause. Brown portrays this brilliantly when he describes how censors handled a story that a reporter had risked his life to get.
* The book’s characters claimed that this was the first time that American’s had subjected other Americans to aerial bombardment in the United States, but this is incorrect. Three months previously, bombs were dropped on the Greenwood District during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma. It’s highly unlikely that anyone in West Virginia would have known that, though, so the author can be forgiven.
Quotations are cited from an advanced reading copy and may not be the same as appears in the final published edition. The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star – The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
West Virginia’s Battle of Blair Mountain is also the largest and deadliest labor uprising in United States history, in which as many as 10 thousand striking coal miners fought against state police, local militias and private detectives hired by the mine owners. Although the miners held a vast advantage in numbers, the mines’ owners employed surplus gatling guns and airplanes which dropped bombs and poison gas on the strikers’ positions.* The strike finally ended when the president ordered U. S. Troops into the area to quell the insurrection. As many of the miners had served in the military during the Great War, they didn’t want to fire on the soldiers and most chose to surrender rather than do so. By its end, more than 100 people on both sides were killed, mostly miners.
Brown did an excellent job of breathing life into the actual historical characters such as Mary Mother Jones, UMW president Bill Blizzard, Logan County Sheriff Don Chafin, and Smilin’ Sid Hatfield (yes, one of those Hatfields), but his portrayal of his more-or-less fictional characters was magnificent. In most cases, he cobbled together bits and pieces of several actual participants into a single heroic entity such as that of ‘Big Frank Hugham’ who survived an attempted murder by Baldwin-Felts Detective and went on the become a leading figure in the battle. My favorite character, though, was Doctor Domit ‘Moo’ Muhanna, an immigrant doctor whose dedication to the Hippocratic Oath took him into the worst of the fighting to treat combatants on both sides. This character was based on Brown’s own grandfather, whose story bears striking similarities to his fictional counterpart.
Until Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Recovery Act in 1933, stories involving labor movements rarely had happy endings. Not only did the mine and factory owners control the money, the weapons and the politicians, they also controlled what the rest of us heard about such movements. Had we lived back then, we would not have been reading stories sympathetic to them or their cause. Brown portrays this brilliantly when he describes how censors handled a story that a reporter had risked his life to get.
“Cut this,” he said, setting the paper on the table, striking a sentence with his thumbnail, hard enough to leave a crease: Gaunt-faced women, barefooted and expressionless watched the troops pass. Some of them waved half-heartedly.Bottom line: I can’t recommend this book highly enough. If you are thinking about reading this, stop thinking and start reading.
“No sob stuff for these Rednecks,” he said. He went on cutting and deleting, killing more lines, turning images into ghosts. People who once existed in the story were cut out. They disappeared between the lines, into the margins, like they’d never been.
Sparkes ground his teeth. He’d followed the American Expeditionary Force across Europe in the Great War, working on the bloody edge of the campaign, and never faced such a knife. The man before him seemed so sure of himself, so certain of his rightness. “No patriotic stuff from these people,” he said, cutting another line.
“You seem pretty cavalier about this, Major. You’re cutting awfully close with the United States Constitution right now, don’t you think?”
Bad Tony raised one eye at him. “All that time on the front lines, writing your stories, and you ain’t learned how it works yet. ’Tis the victor who writes the history—”
“And counts the dead. Yes, I know the quote.”
* The book’s characters claimed that this was the first time that American’s had subjected other Americans to aerial bombardment in the United States, but this is incorrect. Three months previously, bombs were dropped on the Greenwood District during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma. It’s highly unlikely that anyone in West Virginia would have known that, though, so the author can be forgiven.
Quotations are cited from an advanced reading copy and may not be the same as appears in the final published edition. The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.
FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star – The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.
July 18, 2024
3.5 🪨🪨🪨🪨
September 4, 2024
4 stars
The 1920's feud between the coal miners and the anti-union, which took place on Blair Mountain in West Virginia. Brought to life by none other than Taylor Brown. His Author Notes tells us that this book is fiction, but based on the truth. The truth of many historians, published articles, including newspapers, biographies of Mother Jones, and his own family tree. And although Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, which gave men the right to join the labor union of their choosing, this is a battle, that to this day is on-going, due to the fracking that is still in process today.
The 1920's feud between the coal miners and the anti-union, which took place on Blair Mountain in West Virginia. Brought to life by none other than Taylor Brown. His Author Notes tells us that this book is fiction, but based on the truth. The truth of many historians, published articles, including newspapers, biographies of Mother Jones, and his own family tree. And although Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, which gave men the right to join the labor union of their choosing, this is a battle, that to this day is on-going, due to the fracking that is still in process today.
February 8, 2024
Only a gifted writer could describe the results of dedicated research that produced this stirring historical tale of events in West Virginia where conflict was intense for those involved in the battle of worker rights known as The Coal Wars leading to the Battle of Blair Mountain.
June 2, 2024
Really great historical fiction! Not my usual genre but was really impressed with the history woven into the story and the authors incredible ability to tell it. Would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction! Thanks to Goodreads for the chance to review!
March 7, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 14, 2024
Taylor Brown, author of “Gods of Howl Mountain” and “Wingwalkers” presents a new, historical fiction novel based on true events.
“Rednecks” dramatizes the true events that took place in the West Virgina mining country, during the early nineteenth century. Tired of the dangerous working conditions, a group of miners decide to fight for their human rights and unionize but the owners of the mines, and the political bigwigs profiting from the coal, decide to take a stand to prevent this from happening. As the United States army is brought in to fight the “redneck” forces from West Virginia, battle lines are drawn and choices are made that drastically change the landscape of the southern United States.
Brown identifies “The Battle of Blair Mountain” as the bloodiest war ever to take place on American soil, second only, of course, to the Civil War. He explains the significance of the term “redneck”, which stemmed from this very war, where the miners wore red handkerchiefs around their necks to identify their loyalties.
“Rednecks” is told from a variety of different characters, from Dr. Moo, the immigrant doctor trying his best to treat patients on both sides of the conflict, to Frank Hugham, a black miner at the head of the revolution and his aged mother (for all intents and purposes), Beulah, and even Sid Hatfield (of Hatfield and McCoy fame). All perspectives are explored and, although a reader will automatically side with the “rebel” rednecks, Brown offers an honest depiction of both sides of the conflict, focusing on the human component.
“Rednecks” is unique, informative and emotional, and it is for novels like these that have earned Brown his reputation. His new novel is powerful and relevant, as the age-old battle of David vs. Goliath takes place, with those in positions of power trying to keep the underdogs from rising. “Rednecks” will make readers cheer, feel and, most importantly, highlight an important era in American history that has been almost forgotten.
Expected publication date: May 14, 2024
Taylor Brown, author of “Gods of Howl Mountain” and “Wingwalkers” presents a new, historical fiction novel based on true events.
“Rednecks” dramatizes the true events that took place in the West Virgina mining country, during the early nineteenth century. Tired of the dangerous working conditions, a group of miners decide to fight for their human rights and unionize but the owners of the mines, and the political bigwigs profiting from the coal, decide to take a stand to prevent this from happening. As the United States army is brought in to fight the “redneck” forces from West Virginia, battle lines are drawn and choices are made that drastically change the landscape of the southern United States.
Brown identifies “The Battle of Blair Mountain” as the bloodiest war ever to take place on American soil, second only, of course, to the Civil War. He explains the significance of the term “redneck”, which stemmed from this very war, where the miners wore red handkerchiefs around their necks to identify their loyalties.
“Rednecks” is told from a variety of different characters, from Dr. Moo, the immigrant doctor trying his best to treat patients on both sides of the conflict, to Frank Hugham, a black miner at the head of the revolution and his aged mother (for all intents and purposes), Beulah, and even Sid Hatfield (of Hatfield and McCoy fame). All perspectives are explored and, although a reader will automatically side with the “rebel” rednecks, Brown offers an honest depiction of both sides of the conflict, focusing on the human component.
“Rednecks” is unique, informative and emotional, and it is for novels like these that have earned Brown his reputation. His new novel is powerful and relevant, as the age-old battle of David vs. Goliath takes place, with those in positions of power trying to keep the underdogs from rising. “Rednecks” will make readers cheer, feel and, most importantly, highlight an important era in American history that has been almost forgotten.
June 3, 2024
An accurate portrayal of the most violent labor strike in the US that has been ignored. There was an all out war in the mountains of West Virginia against King Coal, the mine operators, the hired detective agencies and all else who fought against the miners and union men who wanted to be their fair due for working the mines.
The book is quite violent and told like a war story, and that is because this union strike turned into a war.
The book was well written, had some great phrases and descriptions, however my one gripe is the other side was shown as completely in the wrong with no redeeming quality. Not every person is fully evil or bad, and having a bit of humanity in portraying the other side does lend for a better read.
That said, this book returns a history that has been forgotten and needs to be remembered.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
However, I did listen to the audiobook version from my local library. An excellent way to read this book.
The book is quite violent and told like a war story, and that is because this union strike turned into a war.
The book was well written, had some great phrases and descriptions, however my one gripe is the other side was shown as completely in the wrong with no redeeming quality. Not every person is fully evil or bad, and having a bit of humanity in portraying the other side does lend for a better read.
That said, this book returns a history that has been forgotten and needs to be remembered.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
However, I did listen to the audiobook version from my local library. An excellent way to read this book.
my initial quick thoughts:
read the audiobook
Quite more violent than I expected, but reading some of the history this book stays true to what happened. Shocking!
March 26, 2024
Taylor Brown is an author whose work I've always approached with eager anticipation, convinced that each new release would finally capture my heart. Yet, with each book I dive into, I struggle with his writing style, which often feels dense and wordy, causing me to lose my way and struggle to maintain engagement.
Despite my hopes for a transformative reading experience, I've realized that Brown's writing doesn't quite possess the enchanting allure I had hoped for. While his prose may not cast the spell I desire, I can appreciate his unique voice and storytelling.
I received a copy from the publisher though NetGalley!!
Despite my hopes for a transformative reading experience, I've realized that Brown's writing doesn't quite possess the enchanting allure I had hoped for. While his prose may not cast the spell I desire, I can appreciate his unique voice and storytelling.
I received a copy from the publisher though NetGalley!!
May 15, 2024
I received a complimentary electronic copy of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley via Austin Adams, St. Martin's Press, and the author, Taylor Brown. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Rednecks of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am very pleased to recommend anything by Taylor Brown to friends and family. He gets your blood pounding and indignation at a boiling point without fail, emphasizing what makes America great by pointing out our flaws. These were not 'growing pains'. They were sins.
Rednecks is no exception. Taking place in Appalachia in 1920-1921 we are riding with the coal miners and their families as they struggle against the private army of the coal mine owners, virtual slaves to the system without recourse of any method to attain equality and a life worth living. It is hard to believe this is based on the facts of the largest labor uprising in American history, the Battle of Blair Mountain. It is hard to believe that this could happen in the U.S.. Believe it. Check out his research. It did. We have to make sure it can never happen, again.
REVIEWED on April 30, 2024, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on May 15, 2024, on AmazonSmile, BookBub, Barnes&Noble, and Kobo.
pub date May 14, 2024
Rednecks is no exception. Taking place in Appalachia in 1920-1921 we are riding with the coal miners and their families as they struggle against the private army of the coal mine owners, virtual slaves to the system without recourse of any method to attain equality and a life worth living. It is hard to believe this is based on the facts of the largest labor uprising in American history, the Battle of Blair Mountain. It is hard to believe that this could happen in the U.S.. Believe it. Check out his research. It did. We have to make sure it can never happen, again.
REVIEWED on April 30, 2024, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on May 15, 2024, on AmazonSmile, BookBub, Barnes&Noble, and Kobo.
pub date May 14, 2024
November 16, 2023
As resistance is necessary, so is a toe dipped into fiction to recharge, reload and remain. When the coal dust clears, Rednecks will be a cornerstone of the 21st Century literary canon. Elegantly written and expertly researched. Taylor Brown is a national treasure. This is how we learn.
April 15, 2024
"An army of men rising from the earth, clad in blue bib overalls. They hail from Italy and Poland, the Deep South and Appalachia. One in five is Black. They wear red bandanas knotted around their necks, as if their throats have already been cut. People will call them primitives and hillbillies, anarchists and insurrectionists. They will call them rednecks."
Rednecks by Taylor Brown is a historical fiction masterpiece, and if I never read another Taylor Brown novel, this is enough to solidify him as one of the most talented writers I've ever read. I realize those are a couple of lofty statements, but I happen also to be reading another highly acclaimed historical fiction novel right now. While I consider the writer of the other novel talented and the work very good, Rednecks held me tightly in its grip through its entirety, It didn't just entertain, it felt significant on so many levels.
It is a story of the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, between striking miners and the mine owners, their hired gun-toting thugs, local law enforcement, and the US Army. Miners and their families want to unionize under the United Mine Workers of America, but the mine owner refuse to concede anything, kicking them out of their company housing, refusing company scrip for food, and forcing them into squalid tent encampments, When violence erupts -- "building like methane in the chamber of a mine and any day could come the spark" -- war ensues between the factions. It is incomprehensible that I never learned of this battle before, especially since the mine workers were targets of aerial bombing even before the Army arrived - American bombs dropped on American soil.
"Reinforcements flooded in from out of state. Frank and his comrades met miners from the Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana coalfields. They came riding in on top of boxcars and passenger coaches, sitting on flatcars or hanging from the hoppers of coal trains. Their bodies festooned the cars, hands and boots and rifles hanging in the wind, the engines throbbing beneath their weight. The boldest among them crouched right in the cowcatchers, watching for ambushes."
Brown's research was impeccable. He included known key figures like Mother Jones and Sid Hatfield and real-life events. He uses meticulous details throughout to create characters that are endearing, like Doc Moo, Musa, Miss Beulah, and Big Frank, and to show just how impressively organized the miners fought, breaking into combat battalions, practicing military drills, and teaching infantry principles to "a combined force the size of the 1st Infantry Brigade" in the Great War.
Ironically, many of the fighters on both sides fought in World War I for their country only to use their experience to fight one another - exemplified by Crockett and Bad Tony, both veteran Marines with the same tattoo spanning their chests, who led rival factions. I had a particular soft spot for both Big Frank and Musa, who were so similar and shared such a touching encounter on the mountain away from the bloodshed.
With zero doubts, I can say Rednecks is a must-read, for its history lesson, rich narrative, bold characters, and beautiful writing.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book through NetGalley, which I received in exchange for my honest review.
Rednecks by Taylor Brown is a historical fiction masterpiece, and if I never read another Taylor Brown novel, this is enough to solidify him as one of the most talented writers I've ever read. I realize those are a couple of lofty statements, but I happen also to be reading another highly acclaimed historical fiction novel right now. While I consider the writer of the other novel talented and the work very good, Rednecks held me tightly in its grip through its entirety, It didn't just entertain, it felt significant on so many levels.
It is a story of the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, between striking miners and the mine owners, their hired gun-toting thugs, local law enforcement, and the US Army. Miners and their families want to unionize under the United Mine Workers of America, but the mine owner refuse to concede anything, kicking them out of their company housing, refusing company scrip for food, and forcing them into squalid tent encampments, When violence erupts -- "building like methane in the chamber of a mine and any day could come the spark" -- war ensues between the factions. It is incomprehensible that I never learned of this battle before, especially since the mine workers were targets of aerial bombing even before the Army arrived - American bombs dropped on American soil.
"Reinforcements flooded in from out of state. Frank and his comrades met miners from the Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana coalfields. They came riding in on top of boxcars and passenger coaches, sitting on flatcars or hanging from the hoppers of coal trains. Their bodies festooned the cars, hands and boots and rifles hanging in the wind, the engines throbbing beneath their weight. The boldest among them crouched right in the cowcatchers, watching for ambushes."
Brown's research was impeccable. He included known key figures like Mother Jones and Sid Hatfield and real-life events. He uses meticulous details throughout to create characters that are endearing, like Doc Moo, Musa, Miss Beulah, and Big Frank, and to show just how impressively organized the miners fought, breaking into combat battalions, practicing military drills, and teaching infantry principles to "a combined force the size of the 1st Infantry Brigade" in the Great War.
Ironically, many of the fighters on both sides fought in World War I for their country only to use their experience to fight one another - exemplified by Crockett and Bad Tony, both veteran Marines with the same tattoo spanning their chests, who led rival factions. I had a particular soft spot for both Big Frank and Musa, who were so similar and shared such a touching encounter on the mountain away from the bloodshed.
With zero doubts, I can say Rednecks is a must-read, for its history lesson, rich narrative, bold characters, and beautiful writing.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book through NetGalley, which I received in exchange for my honest review.
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