When Miners March

(Paperback)

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Description

During the first half of the century, strikes, Union battles, murders and frame-ups were common in any industrial centre in the US - but none of the uprisings compared, in sheer scope, to the West Virginia Mine Wars of the 1920s. The battle and Union leader Bill Blizzard's quest for justice was only quelled when the US Army brought in guns, poison gas and aerial bombers to stop the 10,000 bandanna-clad miners who formed the spontaneous 'Red Neck Army'. Told by Bill Blizzard's son, this is the full story of this momentuous battle.

Reviews

"When Miners March is an extraordinary account of a largely ignored but important event in the history of our nation."
--Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States

"When Miners March is a national treasure, a recovered gem of American History that should be required reading today. Never has a book been timelier; never has Wm. C. Blizzard's inside account of his legendary father's march to liberate the Appalachian coalfields from the abuses of King Coal been more relevant."
--Jeff Biggers, author of The United States of Appalachia

"This engaging book... is a valuable contribution to the preservation of a history that should be honored and never lost. Read it and weep, and cheer."
--Harry Cleaver, author of Reading Capital Politically

"Essentially an oral history on paper, When Miners March is the story of the birth of the UMWA in West Virginia. It is also a study of the reality of capitalism and its toll on those who work in its sphere. It's about men who believe in the possibilities of human solidarity and other men who succumb to greed and power. It is a testimony to the power of the idea that everyone deserves a safe workplace, a decent wage, and the life such a wage buys. Most importantly, this book is an inspiration to those who still believe that those things are worth fighting for."
--Ron Jacobs, Counterpunch

"Current events--notably the struggle for unions to remain relevant and empowered, and coal's role in the climate change crisis--make these writings both relevant and remarkable. The book underscores, among other things, both how far we have come in terms of labor protections and rights, and how far we have fallen in terms of workers' ability and willingness to take great risks and militant action."
--Kari Lydersen, In These Times

Author Bio

William C. Blizzard was a third generation union agitator, a coal miner from WV's first family of labor, and a journalist. Wess Harris is a former union coal miner and an activist and educator with Appalachian Community Services. He lives in Gay, West Virginia.