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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Another banger from Sinclair. Doesn't hit quite as hard as the Jungle, but I was glad the author mixed it up with a very different story. Excited to read Oil!
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Finished King Coal, by Upton Sinclair, published in 1917.
Recently I listened to Ramblin's Jack Elliott rendition of the Woody Guthrie song "Ludlow Massacre", which is about the eponymous massacre of 21 Miners by the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, and became interested in learning more about it and it's cultural effects.
King Coal is a loose adaptation of the events of the Ludlow Massacre, a Socialist Pro union novel set through the eyes of Hal Warner, the son of a mining tycoon as he goes undercover in a mining town to experience the work, conditions, and the abuse first hand. He quickly becomes entwined with the works, and mutually loathed by the calloused supervisors, his experiences at the mine sets his pro workers beliefs set in stone, while having the education to present them and spread them. Which sets off a series of tragic but inevitable set of actions that will make your blood boil.
Although the messaging can be delivered quite blunt at times, as expected from a mudraker, it was extremely powerful. It successfully expresses Sinclair's opinion of CEOs being lawless money-hungry individuals who values property and success over men. "Damn the Men! Save the mules!". It also shows how powerless the individual workers are against the machine, how unions are the only way for the law to be enforced inside a company. Which feels as ever relevant with the union busting culture of modern day companies: "People don’t realise that idea—that men have to be organised to get their legal rights.".
It also depicts a refreshing look of 1910's America, devoid of mentions about the Great War, and being largely set in a lower class environment, though it does dip into the socialites scene for a bit. I would highly recommend it if that era, or Pro union writings interests you. I'm wanting to read more by Upton now, especially Jungle which, I've heard, inspired Roosevelt to create the Meat Inspection act, and later the FDA to be created.
Recently I listened to Ramblin's Jack Elliott rendition of the Woody Guthrie song "Ludlow Massacre", which is about the eponymous massacre of 21 Miners by the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, and became interested in learning more about it and it's cultural effects.
King Coal is a loose adaptation of the events of the Ludlow Massacre, a Socialist Pro union novel set through the eyes of Hal Warner, the son of a mining tycoon as he goes undercover in a mining town to experience the work, conditions, and the abuse first hand. He quickly becomes entwined with the works, and mutually loathed by the calloused supervisors, his experiences at the mine sets his pro workers beliefs set in stone, while having the education to present them and spread them. Which sets off a series of tragic but inevitable set of actions that will make your blood boil.
Although the messaging can be delivered quite blunt at times, as expected from a mudraker, it was extremely powerful. It successfully expresses Sinclair's opinion of CEOs being lawless money-hungry individuals who values property and success over men. "Damn the Men! Save the mules!". It also shows how powerless the individual workers are against the machine, how unions are the only way for the law to be enforced inside a company. Which feels as ever relevant with the union busting culture of modern day companies: "People don’t realise that idea—that men have to be organised to get their legal rights.".
It also depicts a refreshing look of 1910's America, devoid of mentions about the Great War, and being largely set in a lower class environment, though it does dip into the socialites scene for a bit. I would highly recommend it if that era, or Pro union writings interests you. I'm wanting to read more by Upton now, especially Jungle which, I've heard, inspired Roosevelt to create the Meat Inspection act, and later the FDA to be created.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Classism
medium-paced
Many things have changed ,but many haven’t since this book was first published. Still worth a read!
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
I didn't find this as emotional or sympathetic as The Jungle--whether that's from age or familiarity with the subject, I'm not sure.
The ending notes about the 1916 Supreme Court of Colorado decision overturning elections in Huerfano county were literally close to home, though.
The ending notes about the 1916 Supreme Court of Colorado decision overturning elections in Huerfano county were literally close to home, though.
Don't read this book if you hope to still have faith in humanity after
Standard Sinclair fare but that's not a bad thing. Coal then and coal now, apparently, and damn everything else.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes