Description
Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of Britain’s coal mines and the lives of the miners who worked in them. Coal heated the homes, fuelled the furnaces and powered the engines of the Industrial Revolution. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the coalfields – distinct landscapes of colliery winding frames, slag heaps and mining villages – made up Britain’s industrial heartlands. Coal was known as ‘black gold’ but it was only brought to the surface with skill and at considerable risk, with flooding, rock falls and gas explosions a constant danger. Coal miners became a recognised force in British political life, forming a vociferous and often militant lobby for better working conditions and a decent standard of living. This beautifully illustrated guide to Britain’s industrial heritage covers not just the mines, but the lives of the workers away from the pits, with a focus on the cultural and religious life of mining communities.
Trade ReviewA glossy publication with plenty of full-colour photos and other illustrations. At £7.99, this is great value for illuminating the lives of your coal-mining kin. * Who Do You Think You Are Magazine *
Table of ContentsBlack Gold Bell Pits and Horse Whims Deep Mining Going Underground The Pit Village Places to Visit Further Reading Index
