Jared Sullivan gives an unflinchingly comprehensive, historical look at the damaging effects of the Appalachian coal industry coupled with corporate greed, in a book that is heartbreaking and horrifying, but highly readable owing to his compassion. From the TVA power plant disaster that took place in Kingston, TN in 2008 beyond its cleanup completion in 2015, we witness events as experienced from the point of view of blue collar workers, dedicated lawyers on their case, and innocent family members and the community at large rendered collateral damage.

I appreciate the detailed explanation of TVA's creation in 1933 and how it evolved from saviour to perpetrator; the parallels drawn between WWII weapons stockpiling in Oak Ridge, TN and the Chernobyl disaster; the description of medical symptoms and scientific processes in easy to understand layman's terms; and the bits of interesting trivia, family drama, and downhome humor sprinkled throughout. I hope Valley So Low achieves the Erin Brockovich level attention it deserves.