Rednecks, by author Taylor Brown is a fictional account of a sadly long-forgotten part of American labour history, the Battle of Blair Mountain which was as Wikipedia points out, ‘the largest labor uprising in United States history and is the largest armed struggle since the Civil War’. Albeit fiction, he stays very close to the actual events, providing a well-written, well-researched, compelling and, best of all, a nigh unputdownable look at the battle between an estimated 10,000 striking coal miners and the mine owners, local militia, private detectives and local and federal law enforcement in West Virginia and the events that led up to it in 1920 and ‘21. Among the characters are some of the real life participants including Mother Jones, UMW president Bill Blizzard, and Smilin’ Sid Hatfield as well as many composite characters of other actual participants. The battle (and the novel) ended when President Harding threatened aerial bombing of the miners, many of whom were veterans of WWI. By then, there was approximately one hundred dead from both sides. For anyone interested in labour history or well-written, well-researched and fascinating historical fiction about little known but important events of history, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

I received an eARC of this novel from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review

This novel offers a gripping and enlightening glimpse into the harsh realities of the 1920s West Virginia coal mines, where workers were subjected to brutal conditions, and their fight for rights and fair treatment set the stage for the early union movement. I was fascinated by the historical context, especially the way it illuminated the immense struggles coal miners faced to achieve even the most basic protections.

The story is steeped in a heavy atmosphere, capturing the grit and constant threat of danger that loomed over every day of their lives. The determination and courage of the workers and their leaders were both harrowing and inspiring. However, while the historical detail was thorough and informative, at times it became overwhelming, with lengthy passages that slowed the pacing and made the narrative feel more like a history lesson than a fluid story. I appreciated the depth of research and the memorable characters, but I found my interest waning at times due to the dense writing and repetitive elements. Overall, I gained a lot from the book. Thank you t0 Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Rednecks" by Taylor Brown was a vivid historical novel about the battle of the miners in West Virginia. Sad part of history, a bloody, brutal, long fight for the miner's rights, safety and dignity. I didn't know much about this before this book and appreciated this novel. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Before reading this book, I knew the origin of the term “redneck” so I was eager to find out more about this time in US history. I liked the character of Dr. Moo and was pleased to read that the character was based on a real person. I also enjoyed the character of his son, Musa who seemed to be a very independent and intelligent young man. Unfortunately, the other characters just fell flat for me. Frank and his grandmother needed much more character development which would have made them more interesting and the same can be said for Sid and his wife. Also, I have read other books that featured the real life person, Mother Jones and I would have liked to learn more about her and her involvement with the coal miners.
So, the characters weren’t interesting for the most part but what I really found lacking was the plot. I’m sure that the various skirmishes really happened but the way the book was written, it just seemed like the descriptions got repetitive with various characters thrown in here and there. I read it like same scenario, different participants. I guess the writing style just wasn’t for me and I found the book disappointingly boring.

This was a great book about a period of history that I knew little about - the Battle of Blair Mountain between coal miners and the coal companies. It's based on real events. The book had a great group of characters that pulled me in and kept me interested right from the beginning. I was really invested in them. The author made the history come alive. This does contain violence and brutality. It was quite exciting.

West Virginia Mine Wars History

Rednecks by Taylor Brown is a gripping historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the West Virginia Mine Wars of 1920-1921. The narrative follows a group of coal miners who, frustrated by oppressive working conditions and the denial of their rights, rise up in rebellion. The story captures the intensity of their struggle, depicting the dramatic conflict between the miners and the coal companies, as well as the federal government.

Rednecks by Taylor Brown is a compelling read that brings an important chapter of American labour history to life. Through its vivid characters, gripping plot, and thematic depth, the novel offers a powerful narrative about the fight for justice and the human spirit's resilience. While some character development could be enhanced, the novel's strengths in storytelling and historical depiction make it a worthwhile read for those interested in historical fiction and social justice themes.

This was a DNF for me. I actually picked it up thinking it was by another author, and the writing style was not for me.

I read this book months ago. I am sorry I failed to put a review here. This is an excellent book, and although it was heartbreaking & stirred anger in me, I also enjoyed reading it. The author made a good point by saying that the absent owners could have improved working conditions and paid a living wage for less than they paid those vicious strikebreakers. I highly recommend this book.

The perfect balance of history and page-turning fiction. Brown does a superb job of personalizing a time and series of events too often ignored in American history. Never has the labor movement been more relevant.

Thank you to Taylor Brown, St. Martin Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect read for the Labor Day weekend!! Pages full of the sacrifices that got us standard work hours, safer working environments, weekends, holidays, Paid Holidays, whistleblower protections. . .the working life we have today is worlds away from what was. . .thanks to those who protested, fought, advocated, funded and raised their voices, and as is shared herein - gave their lives, blood and families to the cause.

Taylor Brown and his Rednecks reminds us of the cause - we the reapers of their labors need constant reminders - we are very quick to forget that what we have came from the hard work and sacrifice of entire generations. His book reminded me of Joe Hill, by Wallace Stegner, about a generation before and all the way across the country. Still the struggle was countrywide. . .as it is yet in some ways. There yet remains many workplace issues to resolve. We need all the Mother Joneses, Franks, Docs and willing workers to articulate, communicate and apply pressure to the wound. . .

*A sincere thank you to Taylor Brown, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

Unfortunately, Rednecks by Taylor Brown was really difficult for me to read. The topic is relevant and important, yet I had a hard time tracking the plot. I don't doubt it's a great read for some, but it just didn't do it for me.

This was a very interesting novel about the Battle of Blair Mountain…an event in history I had never heard of! Best part about the book was learning about the coal miners and the real life characters. I loved learning about Mother Jones’ role in this particular event. Dr. Moo, the lovely Lebanese doctor, was based on Brown’s own great grandfather!
Rednecks is very much worth reading and learning about this time in history.
Brown is an excellent author and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of his work!

As a West Virginia native, I was super excited to read this book. My great grandfather worked in the coal mines and lived in a coal camp. However, I’m struggling to finish and realize that I prefer more character driven novels, as opposed to plot driven. I’ve taken a break at the halfway point, but I know at some point I’ll pick it back up and finish. The writing is lyrical, descriptive, and brutally honest. I can tell the author did his research and then some. Short chapters keep the story moving - and there are all kinds of things going on with a variety of characters. This is such an important part of our history that has been overlooked for far too long. Rednecks is a historical fiction book that is timely and necessary. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoy historical fiction and this one was focused on the 1920 Battle of Blair Mountain, a battle of coal miners against mine owners, state militia, and the US government in the largest labor uprising in American history. Taking place in West Virginia, it was a fascinating read, one that I knew nothing about, and there was a lot of build up to get to the ultimate battle, which was riveting.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the digital copy to review.

Historial fiction that read more like non-fiction. The amount of research the author did is obvious.

Based on real life events and people, the author portrayed the life of coal miners and their families in such a way that I felt like I was there. As a native West Virginia, this book helped put all the facts I have learned about the Coal Wars in context of when and how they happened and the effects they had on all the citizens of West Virginia. Highly recommend reading!

This is a very readable dipiction of a historical evwnt that most people have never heard of. It’s a fictional account of events that happened in Kentucky and Tennessee when coal miners wanted to unionize and how it erupted in a war between the coal mine owner’s thugs and the miners.
At times it got overwhelming to read graphic descriptions of the battles and killings, but it was worth it to learn about this horrible time in our country. It lead me to learn more about Mother Jones, unions and the coal mining industry.

I wanted to read this book because it is about mine strikes in Appalachia in the 1920s. I was expecting history and a family drama, but this was really a war story. The main characters are a miner, his grandmother, and their friend the local doctor. I liked them, but there wasn't enough of them. The book was mostly ambushes, bombs, bloody injuries, shootouts, weapons, and battle scenes. I'm sure some people would find this very exciting - but it just isn't my kind of book.

As a West Virgina implant, this was an enlightening read that made me realize that our 8th grade WV history class and corresponding Golden Horseshoe test had misses opportunities to get us organized. Cheers to the Greta Thunbergs of the world.

What an extremely well-researched and well-written historical fiction.

This tells the story of The Battle of Blair Mountain. It was the second bloodiest battle on American soil since the civil war and I had never heard of it.

The coal miners of West Virginia wanted to join the union and the coal mine bigwigs were dead set against it. The coal miners took to the mountains to fight the hired men of the coal mine kings. Even the military was called in.

Having seen a lot of the abandoned mines while hiking around Southeast Tennessee, I found the story especially heart-breaking and riveting. I can’t even imagine the life these men lead. Well, I can imagine it because the author has presented it in detail. You really feel the determination of these men. You feel the anguish of their wives and children. You feel the arrogance and power of the coal kings.

A fascinating read. This is my first book by Taylor Brown and it will definitely not be my last.