Rednecks by Taylor Brown. Well written and engrossing historical fiction that gives insight into the coal miners' working conditions and unsanitary living circumstances which lead Battle of Blair Mountain in 1920. Compelling storytelling and the author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions make the story both educational and entertaining. Especially intrigued with the characters, Dr Moo, "Smilin" Sid Hatfield, and Big Frank and his mother Beulah. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

A fictionalized account of a true era in American history. As the unions moved in to improve the work conditions and salaries of the West Virginia coal miners, mine owners would fight back, striking the miners at the heart of their protest and often sending armed men against anyone who dared to speak. What they could not bargain on was the courage of the miners. After many years of suffering in the mines and rough treatment outside the mines, these workers would take a stand, fighting for a better life for themselves and their families. Taylor Brown's skilled writing details how the violence escalated until it became a war zone. During a bloody two year campaign, the miners would hold their own against everything the owners threw at them until the owners realized the only way forward was to conceed to their demand for fair treatment. An interesting read that caused me to research some of the names and places in this book. It's an era that few outside the area know about.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of Rednecks by Taylor Brown. What I enjoyed the most about this book was the storytelling of a lesser known historical event by multiple POVs. I connected with the characters and found myself very invested in their stories. I appreciated how closely the author followed the real events of the Battle of Blair Mountain. I did find myself wanting more at the end; I wanted more redemption for the miners and their families but the Author's Notes at the end help seal it up for the reader. I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction fans, especially those looking for something different from World War history.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

In his author's note, Brown sums up the fictional writing of true historical events perfectly. "If this book were a body, it would be a skeleton of historical fact fleshed with imagination (fiction)". I love the beauty of this statement. I believe the goal of historical fiction is to shine a light on the little stories within the big stories (or a little piece of history within a large event/time period) with the hope that people read these stories and want to find out more. Brown accomplishes this on every level with success.

I had heard of the mine wars in a sort of catch-all way, but never the details and never anyone's specific story. Doc Moo and Musa caught my heart and I love their father-son relationship. It is within their story that I cried more than once.

Mother Jones was a figure I started to research immediately upon her entrance into the story, and I enjoyed the history behind Sid Hatfield and the McCoys.

This is a story of hard work and morally gray areas; one of love and loss, triumph and devastation. This book gives a voice to the history of the people of West Virginia and their past.

I think the cover does a disservice to the story - while you understand it once you read the book, it isn't very inviting to the casual reader and wasn't something I would pick up off shelf without first having read the synopsis, where I was specifically looking for a historical fiction novel to read.

Recommended!

This book was well researched and full of important historical facts. While enjoyed reading about the real struggles of the miners of West Virginia and their fight to unionize in the hopes of improving working conditions and rights, this book was not for me. I found it repetitive on many levels and very slow moving.

I LOVE this time in history. I just finished the Autobiography of Mother Jones, and this was a nice follow up. The Battle of Blair Mountain is one of my favorite historical events that it feels like most people don't know about.

The characters are gripping. The story is well paced. I enjoyed this book very much. The shocking history ought to be told, and historical fiction is a great way to pique the interest of the masses. Props to Taylor Brown for a lovely, well crafted story.

My first five star read of the year and it was a buddy read with Angela. Books like this remind us of what those that came before us went through to secure many rights we have today. Unfortunately, many of those rights are currently being eroded, one by one. The coal miner strike, a.strike that was for better pay, less hours and saved working conditions. On the backs.of these miners the owners of the coal companies, made millions, enough to buy senators, governors and other influential people.

A violent book, a book that shows the huge cost paid by the striking men and their families. The coal owners owned these men hook, line and sinker. Company housing, company stores, all used to enslave these men. Characters that one can't but take to heart. A doctor who risks all to help.the striking miners, an old black women who is worried about her grandson Frank, the only family she has left. Big Frank, a man who suffers many horrific injuries, but refuses to give up and of course Mother Jones. She considers these men her boys and even in her nineties she shows up to.provide her wisdom and moral support to these men.

A book that all should read, but those who need the reminder of the struggles of those in the past, probably wont. An authors note includes the reason why the author wrote.this book among other pertinent info.

ARC from.Netgalley.

I was not expecting to like this book because it's not something I typically read. But I really loved it. Very well written and informative!

I enjoyed this one about thee WV mine wars and learning about the history of his place and people. It will appeal to fans of Southern and Appalachian history.
Overall a good historical fiction book

This book is my heritage. These are the towns that my family is from and the history they've known. It's nice to see WV represented always, since we're frequently the last state, and I liked learning more about this.

That said, this book was not for me. This is not a writing style that I like and I had a hard time keeping up with who was doing what and what was happening. There are a lot of characters and they aren't always introduced well. The way the characters spoke was very old fashioned hillbilly and even for me who's from WV I had a hard time with it at times. Unfortunately, this would be a recommended skip from me.

The book is a powerful read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, social justice, and Southern literature. The book is also a valuable contribution to the understanding and appreciation of the West Virginia Mine Wars, an overlooked chapter of American history. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about this topic, or who enjoys a well-written and well-researched historical novel.

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.

The Battle of Blair Mountain, a mostly forgotten uprising in the coal country of West Virginia. This fictional account follows several workers along with the area doctor through the uprising. It is very well written and makes you almost there. I live learning about forgotten pieces of American history. This will make you mad and cry all at the same. I really liked hearing Dt. Moo's perspective and participation in the uprising.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Rednecks by Taylor Brown. This novel brings to life the horrific battle between coal miners, owners, and the state and federal government in West Virginia in the 1920's. This was my first novel by Taylor Brown, and I was completely awe struck by his prolific writing. I became totally immersed in every aspect of this novel. The characters some real and some fictional come to life and you can feel their pain and anguish. I highly recommend this novel to all readers.

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!

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.

All I can say is "Wow!"
Most of us have heard the stories of the mining industry in a not-so-long-ago time in the United States. Abuse, predatory men in suits, children dying from coal in their lungs. Taylor Brown's Rednecks gives us an in-depth perspective- one that tells the story of what really happened in those hills. Come with us and let Taylor take you back in time, back to the mines that killed not only people, but bloodlines.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC version of this book. My thoughts and reviews are my own.

Such a great read about a part of history I had no clue existed! If you enjoy historical fiction and learning about true events while becoming wrapped up in a character driven story- check this out!

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!

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 [book:Fallen Land|25632620] , 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.