The Ruined Anthracite: Historical Trauma in Coal-Mining Communities

In northeastern Pennsylvania, once a bustling hub for the anthracite coal industry, economic hardship, opioid abuse, youth exodus, and xenophobic fear characterize the region's decline. Paul A. Shackel's book, The Ruined Anthracite, combines analysis and oral history to document the devastating effects of structural violence on the people who have remained, highlighting their poor health and well-being. The book offers a valuable on-the-ground perspective on social fracturing, economic decay, and anger in many communities across the United States.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Northeastern Pennsylvania, once a bustling hub for the anthracite coal industry, has tragically transformed into a region plagued by inexorable decline. The consequences of economic hardship, rampant opioid abuse, youth exodus, and pervasive xenophobic fear have left deep scars on this once-thriving community. In his book, "The Ruined Anthracite," Paul A. Shackel skillfully merges analysis with oral history to chronicle the devastating impact of a lifetime of structural violence on the resilient individuals who have chosen to stay behind.

Amidst the tales of workers bravely confronting the perilous conditions of underground mining, we encounter the poignant accounts of people enduring a toxic environment, grappling with deprivation, and fighting for survival through foraging, bartering, and relying on the kindness of neighbors. Shackel's revelations shed light on the poor health and well-being of these affected communities, providing a valuable on-the-ground perspective that amplifies our understanding of the social fractures, economic decay, and anger plaguing many communities across the United States.

"The Ruined Anthracite" is a thought-provoking and compelling work that blends archaeology, documentary research, and oral history to vividly portray the ongoing human toll of environmental devastation and unchecked capitalism. Through its pages, readers are transported to a world where the legacy of industrialization intertwines with the struggles of the marginalized and forgotten, offering a poignant reminder of the urgent need for sustainable development, social justice, and compassion.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252045141