This is a well researched, slow burn, historical fiction story set in the early 1920’s, a turbulent period marked by violent conflict between coal miners and the powerful coal companies that dominated the Appalachian region. Based on the Battle of Blair Mountain in Logan County, West Virginia and their Coal Wars (the largest union uprising in US history, and until this day it still remains the largest armed uprising that took place in America since the Civil War). And to be completely honest, this is a story as old as time, rebellion against oppression, extremely hard working people wanting to work in safe work environments and earn fair wages.

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.

Not sure why I requested this one, but it ended up being a pretty good banger. Another for fans of historical drama, Cormac McCarthy, or Larry McMurtry. I really enjoyed the story arc of Doc Moo, his soon, and Mother Jones.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am DNF'd at 10%. This book just isn't for me. The writing is just not my style. I was very interested to learn about this period of time, but could not get into it at all.

Thank you to NetGalley.com for this ARC.
This book was a very well researched and written historical fiction book about miners in West Virginia fighting for rights against the coal miner owners. This turned into a battle where many lives were lost.
It’s a part of US history I had never heard of before and found it heartbreaking and interesting.
Some of the battle scenes were a bit long for me but I really liked so many of the characters and felt their plight.

This book was very enlightening for me, as I knew nothing about this time in America's history. However, it was quite slow going, and I lost interest. My favourite characters were Doc Moo and Big Frank - what brave individuals!

“Rednecks” was an interesting story. As a work of historical fiction, the author has invented characters and dialogue and changed some events to fit the story. However, it feels like a realistic portrayal of what the conflict would have been like between union organizers and coal miners and their families who wanted lives with more security and dignity, and the coal mine owners, their "enforcers", and others with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

This was a well written, carefully plotted absorbing book about a time in history that I missed. I loved th characters and the setting but the writing was what won me over!

A highly recommended book to anyone who wants to learn more about the mine wars or just looking for a great story. I was not able to put this book down and enjoyed it so much. Knowing so much about this topic coming from WV, I appreciated the story while it provided lots of details about what actually happened. This is not a topic many people are familiar with and some don't even know that it really happened.

This book was so interesting as it gives us insight into using rebellion against oppression. Taking place in 1920 - it was a start of the unions and their protection. It is very detailed and educational. However, it is also somewhat repetitive and clunky in its delivery. I would recommend it for those who really want detailed and in-depth information about this key time in history. Some really great characters in the book - well developed.



Thanks to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for providing this copy for review.

A necessary and timely retrospective into the unsung songs of the people whose lives make sure ours continue. Coal has been and continues to be one the most vastly necessary and limited resources in America. It has to be mined for, by hand, deep into the mountains and valleys of Appalachia. Though the novel includes both real and imagined characters, the story feels wholly real and Brown does an excellent job of building the world that we're in. Increasingly appropriate and a story that needs to be heard, Rednecks is a solid tale of fight.

The writing itself has a beautiful rhythm and evocative imagery. But the story just didn't work for me. I felt a serious lack of character development, and despite the subject matter, I didn't feel invested at all.

DNF

I felt like this book was well written, but it really just didn't mesh with me. I am only just now getting into historical fiction but I do know this one wasn't for me. I just thought it was a little confusing and hard to keep up with. I do think its an average book and someone somewhere probably would love it far more than me.

This was such a great historical fiction! Loved the story in this book and the historical elements in this book! The characters were really interesting and I was able to connect with them right from the start! Loved it!

This book is based on the historical facts of the struggles of coal miners in West Virginia, and the wars between the miners and the mine-owners/government. It was heart-wrenching in its delivery of the cruelty to a people working hard for the lives of themselves and their families, and the utter disregard of humanity of those whose only care was profit. The Battle of Blair Mountain and the Matewan Massacre brought to life historical characters Mother Jones and Sherrif Sid Hatfield, as well as a doctor who was based on a real-life physician who worked in the mining camps. And it also told the story of the first time that the American government used weapons on its own people. While the story tells some of the gruesome details of the fighting, it also shows the compassion, loyalty, and strength of those standing up for their rights in the face of danger and threats to their lives. It is a book well-worth reading for those interested in the history of the American people through hardship and belief in the promise of a better life, as simple as it may be. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #Rednecks

Taylor Brown is one of my favorites authors. His storytelling is vivid and riveting. The story he told here is an important one, especially in the days we live. Coal miners who worked in horrific conditions attempted to unionize in an attempt to better their lives. Their battle with the coal mine owners was dramatic, intense, and tragic. The greed of the wealthy was/is despicable. Historical fiction allows us to look at our past in an intimate way that teaches us history in the hope that we won’t make the same mistakes again. I highly recommend this book.

I have heard the term Rednecks before, but this novel really explained the origin of the term. Set in the early 1900's in W. Virginia, it is a story of the relationship of the coal miners and the union people. Super interesting and well researched. An enjoyable, interesting novel that was also an educational novel.

Historical fiction that I have never heard of is my favorite kind. I could not believe this series of events took place on American soil. I looked up facts as I read because it seemed unbelievable. This is a powerful story of oppression that is still applicable today despite the events taking place over 100 years ago. This book took me longer than normal to read because the events unfolded slowly but it was worth it in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Rednecks was a great read. I loved the character development and the writing was propulsive. I learned a lot about this part of the country.

Rednecks covers the Matewan Massacre and the Battle of Blair Mountain, when coal miners fought troops deployed by the coal mine owners in West Virginia in 1920-21. Brown has written an excellent historical fiction about a very important topic, one that is probably not well known. I certainly didn’t know much about it at all. The struggles of the miners drive home the reason why unions are so important. The working conditions in the mines at that time were abominable - back-breaking, dangerous work until terrible conditions. And if a miner objected or tried to join the fledgling United Mine Workers, they could be fired and tossed out of their homes. Beatings and worse could and did occur.

Brown focuses on a few real people and a few fictional people to tell a moving tale. I really enjoyed learning more about the woman known as Mother Jones. His author’s note at the end explains that he based the doctor figure on his own great-grandfather.

This was not an easy subject to read about, but I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot and was swept up in the narrative at the same time.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.