Coal River

Coal River by Michael Shnayerson In southern West Virginia, coal companies practice mountaintop removal mining - a process that transforms Appalachian peaks into flat plateaus. This investigative account follows local residents and activists who challenge the coal industry's environmental impact on their communities. The narrative centers on a David versus Goliath struggle between concerned citizens and Massey Energy, one of the largest coal companies in the United States. At stake are the region's mountains, streams, and the very existence of historic mining towns dating back generations. Shnayerson documents the legal battles, community organizing, and personal stories of those fighting to preserve their land and way of life against powerful corporate and government interests. His reporting draws from extensive interviews, court documents, and first-hand observations of both the mining operations and their effects. The book examines fundamental questions about the balance between energy production, environmental protection, and the rights of local communities - issues that remain central to debates about America's energy future.

Readers describe Coal River as a detailed investigation of mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia and its impact on local communities. Many note that it reads like an environmental legal thriller while being non-fiction. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex mining practices and regulations - Personal stories of affected residents - Documentation of environmental damage - Focus on both activists and industry perspectives Common criticisms: - Too much focus on legal proceedings - Dense technical passages about mining operations - Some readers found the large cast of characters hard to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (248 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (47 ratings) "The human stories kept me engaged even through the technical parts" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but dry reading at times" - Amazon reviewer "Could have used better organization of the timeline and people involved" - LibraryThing review

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★ Mountaintop removal mining can destroy up to 800 feet of elevation from a mountain, permanently altering landscapes that have existed for millions of years. ★ The author, Michael Shnayerson, is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and has been covering environmental issues for over three decades. ★ Coal River Valley, the focus of the book, was named by explorer John Peter Salley in 1742 after discovering coal deposits along its riverbanks. ★ The practice of mountaintop removal mining has buried or contaminated more than 2,000 miles of Appalachian streams since the 1990s. ★ The book's central location, southern West Virginia, once produced 15% of America's coal, earning it the nickname "Coal Country" during the industry's peak in the 1940s.