Customer Reviews

Black Days, Black Dust: The Memories Of An African American Coal Miner

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I grew up in Pennsylvania, in the coal country. When a friend told me about Black Days, I thought I would give it a try. I'm glad I did. I have heard and read much of the way of life in 20th century Appalachia, but never had it tied together in a single book. If you are curious about life in the beginning of the last century; about the workings of the coal industry or simply want an insight into "How things used to be in West Virginia" try Black Days. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

One of the joys of life is the opportunity to have a conversation with someone whose life experiences are vastly different from our own. My curiosity about the real-world work life of an underground coal miner, ... plus a chance web search, led me to Black Days, Black Dust. What a gem!

In reading this book it almost seemed like I was having a 'personal conversation' while sitting on the miner's front porch. It is a true account of 40 years of working underground in the coal fields. Very interesting account of every day life in a coal town (both above and below ground). It is a world apart from today's high-rise city office worker, ...yet curiously in other ways, there are many similarities!

Easy to read & very informative.

One of the joys of life is the opportunity to have a conversation with someone whose life experiences are vastly different from our own. My curiosity about the real-world work life of an underground coal miner, ... plus a chance web search, led me to Black Days, Black Dust. What a gem!

In reading this book it almost seemed like I was having a 'personal conversation' while sitting on the miner's front porch. It is a true account of 40 years of working underground in the coal fields. Very interesting account of every day life in a coal town (both above and below ground). It is a world apart from today's high-rise city office worker, ...yet curiously in other ways, there are many similarities!

Easy to read & very informative.

Bob's book is excellent reading. He writes in a clear, easy to follow, intelligent manner with plenty of detail of both mining operations and the daily life in mining communities in Northern West Virginia.
I grew up in Osage WV, my dad was a coal miner too. Bob's book is a true and accurate depiction of the life of miners and their families.