On a spring morning in 1914; in the stark foothills of southern Colorado; 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.
#100349 in Books Harvard Univ Pr 2009-02-28 2008-11-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.25 x 1.75l; 2.41 #File Name: 0674031962800 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very GoodBy Brooke WarnerThe is an excellent book; very well written and informative. It is not light reading; but is still very accessible. You will learn a great deal about Prussian/German history; which will give great context to WWI and WWII. Sometimes it's overly detailed; and the back and forth analysis sometimes feels a bit like ping pong. But the author is very insightful and you will learn a lot about history and; more importantly; human nature. I definitely recommend this book.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive read on Prussian HistoryBy TarekIron Kingdom is a must-read for any scholar attempting to understand the history of Prussia or Germany in general vis-a-vis Prussian influence in the German states and Europe. The book starts out with the land purchase of Brandenburg by the Hohenzollerns; runs the course of nearly 350 years to modern day Germany and its demise in World War II. It is excellent in its detailed overview of events; not just from the perspective of monarchs and kings; but in the overall attempt to portray the socio-economic conditions and manifestations of various conflicts and conditions.While Clark does go into quite elaborate detail into; sometimes; seemingly trivial components of every day life in Prussia; he quickly self-corrects. This effort is part of a more meaningful attempt at painting an elaborate picture.What the book lacks in proper narration; more than makes up for in astonishing levels of background research and critical information to a comprehensive history of Prussia; if one can describe it so. Another aspect that was overlooked involved events and individuals external to Prussia; but which have affected and influenced Prussia in one form or another. As an example; Catherine the Great; herself a native Pomeranian; should have been acknowledged in the book; and the overall impact of such a figure on the history of Prussia itself examined more closely.However; I still gave the book five stars because the author accomplished exactly what he had claimed and had set out to do: provide a comprehensive history of Prussia from Brandenburg to the demise of the third Reich. He excelled in doing so. I recommend the book to anyone literate enough in European and German history.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Accurate history of Prussia - free of bias or prejudice.By Bruno MeyenhoferA detailed and balanced account of the history of Prussia; the Hohenzollern family and the Prussian people - but never boring. Christopher Clark has - in my view - put significantly more research into this work then other historians on the same topic. He remains focussed and relevant; never falls for pathos or PR. Above all: he reports; he does not judge.
