Breaker Boys [Hardcover]

Jan Kubicki (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Coal may be a dull subject, but this first novel is vivid and boisterous. Kubicki successfully draws a picture of the struggle for existence in a Pennsylvania mining town at the turn of the century. Seen through the eyes of 11-year-old Euan Morgan, Jeddoh is a town where Poles and Welsh distrust each other, and both are in thrall to Markham, the independent mine owner. This is not just about mining and unions, but also about love, passion, growing up, and the various emotions that constitute life at the edge of survival. Each person is real for the reader, from the schoolmarm to the historical Mother Jones. Well written and well plotted, this is highly recommended for most libraries. W. Keith McCoy, South Amboy Lib., N.J.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 390 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr; 1st edition (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871131129
• ISBN-13: 978-0871131126
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,235,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent descriptive novel, April 7, 2000

By 

Christina Sharik (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaker Boys (Paperback)

I grew up near Wilkes-Barre, PA - coal mining country. I remember my mother talking about hearing the miners working under the houses when she and her friends would gather for coffee and cake - Took some getting used to for someone from Washington, DC. Every so often, there would be a cave-in & the families would wait anxiously for news. This novel was very descriptive & I learned quite a bit about how the life must have been for the Breaker Boys and the miners.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, October 6, 2004

By 

Historical Sponge "Amber Belford" (Lakewood, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaker Boys (Paperback)

I remember listening to someone talking about this book and I just had to read it. My future goal is to become a Historical Sociologist and this book was perfect for it. The effects of the mining and the city on this certain child and the histoical aspect is absolutely phenomenal.

If you have yet to read this or have the displeasure of not owning it, please run to your nearest computer an order it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring it back!, July 20, 2003

By 

M. A. K. (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaker Boys (Hardcover)

This is such a wonderful book, it MUST be brought back into print. This is fiction, but it is also history. I would use this book in my U.S. History class as supplemental reading. Also, Jan Kubicki is a great writer - but has he written anything else? If so, I'd love to read it